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 a collective move, three key US security agencies issued an advisory flagging potential cyber threats from Volt Typhoon, a state-backed cyber group noted for planning possible attacks on vital American infrastructure. This group’s activities have raised concerns within vital sectors of industry, including telecommunication, energy, and transportation not only in the US, but also in Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Virgin Media O2, a leading British broadband and mobile operator, in collaboration with its shareholder Liberty Global, has embarked on a pioneering venture with the introduction of its Smart Pole Trial. This innovative project sees the deployment of 4G and 5G-capable smart poles across the UK, aimed at enhancing mobile network coverage and capacity significantly.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez MP addresses the need for shared infrastructure to tackle excessive fibre network duplication. She spotlights rural areas, where public perception of full fibre deployment is significantly affected by perceived uncontrolled infrastructural rollout. This prompts a change in guidelines to involve communities in the roll-out process, helping operators extend their networks without hindering local approval.
Arelion and Telxius are collaborating to provide fully diverse, multi-terabit connectivity into Telxius’ landing stations in Boca Raton and Jacksonville, Florida. This fiber network expansion establishes Arelion Points-of-Presence (PoPs) at each Telxius landing station. For Telxius, it empowers customers with resilient Tier-1 optical transport and high-speed access to Arelion’s North American network. Together, Arelion and Telxius are making a significant investment in the Florida Peninsula to connect Latin American customers to North America through submarine and terrestrial systems.
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.
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.
Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) is making waves in connectivity by enhancing its network backhaul speeds to a staggering 400Gbps. This progress, ten times that of its previous capacity, paves the way for improved bandwidth, latency reduction, and an entirely modernized scope of rural connectivity.
Kansas has taken a significant stride towards improving statewide internet connectivity by allocating $28.5 million in grants through the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program. Aimed at bolstering broadband infrastructure, the LINC funding prioritizes achieving minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps, enhancing internet exchange point facilities, and fortifying middle-mile infrastructure.
Neos Networks accelerates its journey toward 100 on-net data centres with the new addition of two pivotal UK sites to its fibre network. Offering secure and high-capacity connectivity, these centres bolster the UK’s tech hubs while surging towards embracing digital innovations and reliable connectivity. The impact of such expansion unfolds an intriguing storyline of the country’s evolving connectivity landscape.
