FiberLocator, the renowned US fibre data platform, has expanded its network planning services to include UK fibre data, integrating UK fibre providers into its extensive database. This expansion aids carriers, mobile operators, and data centre operators by offering comprehensive, timely, and accurate fibre data, facilitating seamless global connectivity and streamlined wholesale transactions.
Major UK business groups are urging telecoms regulator Ofcom to extend the automatic compensation scheme for broadband outages to encompass all businesses. This demand highlights frustrations over unreliable broadband services impacting productivity and economic growth. Existing compensation covers only domestic-grade services, leaving many businesses without recourse for connectivity issues.
The UK Ministry of Defence has successfully launched its own satellite, ‘Tyche’, revolutionizing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This pivotal event marks the UK’s leap forward in space-based defense. As part of a broader initiative, Tyche will bolster military operations, disaster response, and environmental monitoring, reinforcing national security and technological innovation.
Research by Virgin Media O2 reveals that poor internet connectivity is driving many rural UK residents, particularly young adults, to consider relocating to urban areas. Inadequate internet access hinders remote work, prompting 4.6 million people to contemplate moving within the next year.
Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, introduces robust measures to combat scam calls from abroad. By mandating that phone companies block calls with fake UK landline numbers, Ofcom aims to curb ‘spoofing’ and protect consumers. With BT successfully blocking up to one million calls daily, the initiative promises enhanced public safety and fewer scam calls.
Strategic Imperatives, a leading UK SaaS provider, has added Altnets Trooli and OFNL to its Fibre Café platform. This integration enhances access to the UK’s growing FTTx ecosystem, providing Trooli and OFNL with streamlined onboarding, automation, and competitive edge in the wholesale market.
Hyperoptic has secured a significant £150 million investment from the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), accelerating their fibre-to-the-home rollout. This latest funding increases Hyperoptic’s total raised this year to £255 million, bringing overall funding to £1.1 billion. The investment highlights strong support for Hyperoptic’s mission to deliver ultra-reliable, hyperfast full fibre broadband.
Broadband infrastructure provider Openreach has unveiled plans to extend its full fibre broadband services to 517 additional locations across the UK, bringing fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) to an extra 2.7 million homes and businesses. This ambitious rollout includes 400,000 homes in rural areas, highlighting Openreach’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.
New research conducted by consultancy Cluttons in collaboration with YouGov has revealed significant doubts among Conservative MPs regarding the UK’s ability to achieve government targets for nationwide standalone 5G coverage by 2030. The study, which surveyed 104 MPs and 556 local councillors, found that only one-third of Conservative MPs (34%) expressed confidence in meeting the ambitious targets set by the government.
his week, the University of Bristol has powered up Isambard-AI, the UK’s fastest and most potent supercomputer, following a £225 million investment announced by the government last March. Built by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Isambard-AI boasts over 5,000 NVIDIA superchips, enabling it to execute a staggering 200 quadrillion calculations per second. Officially named the AI Research Resource (AIRR), this supercomputer surpasses its predecessor by a factor of ten in computational power, aiming to support critical AI technology development.
