VMO2 made public a loss of £3.3 billion in 2023, exacerbated by a goodwill impairment of £3.1 billion due to increased costs of capital. Market Watch

VMO2 faced a substantial loss of £3.3 billion in 2023, worsened by a £3.1 billion goodwill impairment rooted in increased capital costs. While their debt soured under challenging economic conditions, they still managed to attract 64,000 new broadband and 47,000 mobile customers. Nevertheless, revenues witnessed a slight tumble as consumer fixed income dipped and the B2B sector lagged.

Telecom News | Week #7: MATRIXX launches Jawwy, NTT expands data center, Crexendo launches POTS, Hero revamps website, FCC against SIM fraud. News Roundup

MATRIXX Software, Celfocus, and Qeema have launched Jawwy 2.0 to improve customer experience and reduce costs. NTT Ltd. plans to open its first data center campus in the Paris region as part of a $10 billion global expansion. Crexendo and TELCLOUD launched a POTS Replacement platform to offer cost-effective, reliable alternatives for critical services. Hero Digital revamped Calix.com, enhancing user experience and performance. Consumer advocacy groups urge the FCC for stricter regulations to protect against SIM swap and port-out scams.

To enhance the US' emergency services network, AT&T, in partnership with FirstNet, announced plans for an upgrade and expansion of FirstNet. Market Watch

In an ambitious move to enhance the United States’ emergency services network, AT&T, in partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), has announced plans for a significant upgrade and expansion of FirstNet. This initiative, which could see an investment exceeding $8 billion over the coming decade, aims to build upon the network’s already extensive coverage and capabilities.

An increase in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks has been reported by Zayo, with the telecoms sector suffering the most. Security

A significant increase in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks has been reported by Zayo, with the telecommunications sector suffering the most. According to the company’s annual DDoS Insights Report, the past year saw a dramatic rise in both the frequency and severity of these cyber assaults. Businesses found themselves paying an average of £4,700 for every minute under attack, culminating in an average total cost of £325,000.

Virgin Media O2 recently achieved a landmark in the SRN initiative by completing upgrades or constructing 100 sites under its management. Telco Buzz

In a significant boost to rural connectivity, Virgin Media O2 has recently achieved a landmark in the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative by completing upgrades or constructing 100 sites under its management. This development is set to offer unprecedented mobile coverage quality to rural communities, benefiting not just its own customers but also those of Three and Vodafone, thanks to a collaborative effort to enhance infrastructure.

In an analysis conducted by MedUX, Berlin emerged as the front-runner in providing the best 5G experience across major European cities. 5G

In a comprehensive analysis conducted by MedUX, a connectivity testing firm, Berlin emerged as the front-runner in providing the best 5G experience across major European cities. The study, which encompassed extensive testing in cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Lisbon, Milan, Porto, Rome, Madrid, Munich, and London, highlighted Berlin’s superior performance in data and over-the-top (OTT) experiences, alongside its impressive overall score of 4.69 out of 5.

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) takes a step forward with the formation of a new infrastructure sharing group (ISG). Infrastructure

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) champions a new initiative for alternative network providers, aiming to streamline infrastructure sharing, and promote cost-effective fibre rollout. This solution addresses challenges faced where Openreach’s Physical Infrastructure Access option is unavailable, minimizing local disruption from additional duct installations.

Cristina Luna-Esteban, Ofcom's Director, has recently conveyed dissatisfaction via written communication to renowned UK ISPs. Telco Buzz

Ofcom’s Cristina Luna-Esteban has recently criticized renowned UK ISPs including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and VMO2, regarding delays in finalizing a launch date for the One Touch Switching (OTS) system. This creates a dilemma, as extended delays restrict consumers from accessing easy and simplified ISP switching. OTS, initiated by Ofcom to streamline provider switches, experiences technical complexities pushing its initial deadline, causing a concern echoed by Ofcom’s Lindsey Fussell.