The UK government is reducing funding for the Shared Rural Network (SRN), cutting planned new mobile masts from 260 to 60. While officials insist connectivity goals remain unchanged, critics worry rural areas will suffer.
EE’s innovative deployment of a mobile tower on the Isle of Skye enhances 4G connectivity in rural areas. Providing reliable coverage, the tower supports local businesses while reducing visual disruption.
Exciting news for VoIP enthusiasts: EE expands its 5G standalone network to 16 more UK locations, promising improved connectivity. By year-end, EE’s 5G coverage will reach 21 million people across 30 towns and cities.
CityFibre, the UK alternative network provider, urgently seeks external funding to maintain pace against competitors like Openreach. Despite financial challenges, CityFibre reported impressive growth with a revenue surge to £99.67 million in 2023.
Vodafone has faced a major setback as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ordered the discontinuation of three ads deemed misleading. These ads claimed Vodafone offers identical broadband to BT at a lower price, which BT disputed. The ASA upheld BT’s complaint, emphasizing that network performance varies due to different hardware and technology.
Three’s 5G network now reaches 62% of the UK’s population, expanding to 656 locations and 4,900 sites nationwide. This growth in Three’s 5G coverage is part of a strategic push to enhance 4G services and significantly expand 5G capabilities, aiming to elevate the UK’s digital infrastructure.
Freshwave, in collaboration with CommScope, has unveiled a revolutionary small cell solution that merges 4G from all four UK mobile network operators into one system. Using CommScope’s ONECELL technology, the Omni Network by Freshwave ensures indoor LTE and 5G connectivity.
Netomnia has merged with Brsk, forming the UK’s second-largest alternative network provider after CityFibre. This merger creates a network footprint of 1.5 million premises ready for service (RFS), aiming to reach 3 million by next year. Supported by £1.2 billion in debt funding, the merger combines complementary networks to enhance market position and service delivery, emphasizing expansion and innovation.
A recent market study by INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association) and Point Topic reveals that alternative network builders in the UK have collectively expanded fibre infrastructure to more premises than BT’s Openreach unit. By the end of 2023, UK altnets had reached 12.9 million premises with fibre, exceeding Openreach’s coverage of 12.8 million.
Telecommunications operators are increasingly turning to satellite technology to expand 5G coverage, particularly in rural regions, as indicated by new data from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). However, despite a rising number of partnerships and commercial launches, the market’s growth is slower than anticipated.
