Government ‘likely to miss’ 2025 full-fibre broadband target October 7, 2020 The government’s promise to provide full-fibre broadband to every home in the UK by 2025 is likely to be missed without sweeping reforms of telecoms policy, according to a new report. Prime Minister Boris Johnson made “levelling up” the country’s broadband provision a key part of his election manifesto and last year pledged £5bn to [...]
Swedish telecoms giant Telia sells international carrier business for $1bn October 6, 2020 Swedish telecoms group Telia Company today said it has agreed to sell its international carrier business to infrastructure firm Polhem Infra for 9.5bn Swedish krona ($1.1bn). Telia, which is led by British media veteran Allison Kirkby, said it has simultaneously entered into a long-term partnership with its carrier division to ensure continued network provision for [...]
Internet is an essential — so why is it still taxed as a luxury? October 6, 2020 One in nine people, the equivalent of six million across the UK, have reported falling behind on household bills because of coronavirus. While the chancellor has worked hard to protect jobs and offer targeted support, there can be no doubt that those already suffering financial hardship have faced disproportionate new challenges over the past six [...]
5G rollout across Britain set to create 5,000 jobs October 5, 2020 Telecoms firms have pledged to create 5,000 new UK jobs through the rollout of 5G technology across Britain, marking a rare bright spot on the bleak jobs horizon during the pandemic. Liberty Global, which owns Virgin Media, and O2’s Spanish owner Telefonica, have announced plans to create 4,000 jobs and 1,000 apprenticeship roles in the [...]
The UK can’t afford to delay a vital 5G rollout October 1, 2020 Making Britain more competitive requires investment in digital infrastructure – especially 5G The Government set itself a mighty task in announcing its determination to ‘level up’ the British economy last year. But that challenge has become all the harder in recent months. Growth in economically disadvantaged areas was already keenly sought but the impact of [...]
Delays to 5G rollout to cost country tens of billions, report finds October 1, 2020 Delays to the rollout of 5G could cost the country tens of billions of pounds in lost economic output, a new report has found. According to the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), steps to speed up the rollout could provide the UK GDP with an extra £41bn over the next seven years. However, if delays [...]
BT taps Nokia to replace Huawei in 5G networks September 29, 2020 BT has chosen Nokia to supply its 5G radio equipment in a deal that will make the Finnish firm the telecoms giant’s largest infrastructure partner. The deal, which marks a major win for new Nokia boss Pekka Lundmark, comes just months after the UK said it would ban Chinese firm Huawei from its 5G networks. [...]
Boris Johnson’s gigabit broadband target will be ‘missed by years’, warns BT boss September 27, 2020 Boris Johnson’s target for delivering gigabit broadband across the UK will be missed by eight years without £9bn worth of tax and red tape cuts, BT has warned ministers. BT claims the industry is on course to deliver gigabit speeds across the nation by 2033, significantly later than Johnson’s election pledge of full coverage by [...]
Former BT boss tapped to lead search for Huawei replacement September 23, 2020 Former BT chief executive and trade minister Lord Ian Livingston has been tapped to find alternative telecoms providers to replace Huawei equipment in the UK’s 5G networks. Livingston has been named as chair of a new government task force that will seek to diversify the country’s telecoms supply chain and reduce reliance on high-risk vendors. [...]
Tech testing firm Calnex plots £42m London listing as it cashes in on 5G September 21, 2020 Telecoms testing firm Calnex today said it is aiming to raise £22.5m through a London initial public offering (IPO) as it looks to capitalise on the rollout of 5G. The Scottish tech firm said the Aim listing, planned for early October, will value the company at £42m. Calnex specialises in test equipment for telecoms networks, [...]