In a significant move aimed at bolstering cybersecurity across the country, the UK government has rolled out stringent regulations requiring manufacturers of internet-connected devices to adhere to minimum-security standards. The new laws, part of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act 2022, are designed to mitigate the risks posed by weak security features on smart gadgets.
In a significant move to ensure the smooth transition of landline services to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the UK government has announced an expansion in the roster of telecommunications companies committed to safeguarding vulnerable customers. The initiative, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), now includes Openreach, CityFibre, and several others, alongside initial participants like BT and Virgin Media O2.
Initiated by the UK government, the Shared Rural Network (SRN) aims to eradicate coverage black spots and ensure widespread 4G coverage. This project has been approached with differing bravado by top network operators. Juncture tensions arise as key operators plead for deadline leniency, while EE stands confident in its progress. All eyes are on the government’s response to this collective request while interest in the ongoing infrastructure debate climaxes. Stay informed as the narrative unfolds.
BT joins forces with UK Business Climate Hub to empower small to medium UK businesses to slash their CO2e emissions in half by 2030. The strategic partnership aims to combat climate change, utilizing BT’s experience and UKBCH’s resources, ultimately championing for net-zero emissions by 2050. However, reaching these transformational green goals may prove challenging for many businesses, highlighting the necessity of this collaborative initiative.
The UK Government’s newly established Critical Imports Council aims to lessen the disturbance of essential goods flow from unpredictable global supply chain disruptions. Business and Trade Minister, Alan Mak, highlights strengthening critical goods supply against real-world crises through collaborative efforts with industry experts. With representation from diverse sectors including telecommunications, the council will focus on assessing risks and creating robust mitigation strategies.
Bridging the digital divide in vast and harsh terrains like the Scottish Highlands, VMO2 embarks on a novel approach, utilizing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites from Starlink for critical backhaul services. Bypassing conventional, costly terrestrial infrastructure, VMO2’s tests have proven the potency of satellite technology in improving coverage across the UK.
Project Gigabit, an ambitious initiative from the UK government, is rapidly enhancing the nation’s digital connectivity across rural locales. Recent updates from this £5 billion venture depict encouraging progress, with a significant leap in gigabit broadband coverage from 6% in 2019 to 81%. The project aims to extend this coverage to virtually every UK premises by 2030.
Microsoft embarks on an ambitious project, unveiling Microsoft AI London – a hub focused on advancing AI research and development. Helmed by AI scientist Jordan Hoffman, the hub will concentrate on building innovative language models and key infrastructure. Further enriching the UK’s AI ecosystem, the project aligns with Microsoft’s substantial investment strategy advancing the UK workforce towards the AI era.
Unearthing the UK’s surprising predilection for telephone poles, an ISPA survey reveals 70% of respondents would welcome a new pole for improved broadband. As connectivity takes precedence over visual impact, 75% agreed to poles ensuring excellent broadband, while only 17% disapproved. A noteworthy 37% were indifferent, rarely noticing the poles.
In response to the unprecedented outage of the UK’s emergency calling service last summer, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has put forward new measures aimed at bolstering the system’s reliability. These steps are in addition to enhancements already made by BT to its emergency call handling protocols, following a significant disruption that saw 9,641 callers unable to reach emergency services due to a software bug on 25 June.
