The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the merger of satellite communications firms Viasat and Inmarsat following an in-depth Phase 2 review. The transaction was referred for further investigation after an initial Phase 1 assessment raised concerns about potential impacts on competition. During the Phase 2 review, the CMA examined a wide range … Read more

In collaboration with China-based Huawei, EE announced today that it will introduce LTE-Advanced technology—capable of theoretical peak speeds of up to 300 Mbps—to London’s “Tech City.” Revealed at the Huawei Global Mobile Broadband Forum, the deployment follows EE’s and Huawei’s analysis of consumer and business data trends, which forecast a significant rise in mobile data … Read more

(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/EuToch) In March of last year, telecoms regulator Ofcom launched a review to determine whether BT and its network arm Openreach should be separated. Rivals had argued that BT’s control over the network led to underinvestment, producing slower speeds and reduced reliability for customers who rely on the infrastructure. Ofcom released the results … Read more

A Juniper Research report predicts the mobile payments and NFC market will grow dramatically, reaching more than $180 billion within five years — roughly seven times this year’s level. Western Europe is expected to account for just over a third of that total (35%), with North America contributing about 30% and the Far East including … Read more

For years there have been rumours about a national digital ID from the UK government; now it has a name: “BritCard.” At first glance the proposal looks appealing: a straightforward way to access services, verify identity, and simplify everyday tasks. But once you look closer, the main challenges aren’t technical — they’re about people, trust … Read more

The GSMA has issued a clear warning to operators: by 2025, connectivity will represent only about 5% of the total IoT revenue opportunity, meaning operators must pursue additional revenue streams. New research from GSMA Intelligence projects the global IoT market will reach approximately $1.1 trillion in revenue by 2025. This growth reflects a structural shift … Read more

There are signs of trouble at Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC, according to a recent report by The Verge. The company has faced a string of setbacks—staff departures, production difficulties, and a poorly received device launch—that raise questions about its near-term stability. But are these issues terminal, or might they be temporary challenges on the path … Read more

High-altitude surveillance balloons have been detected by authorities in both the United States and Canada, prompting coordinated military and intelligence responses. One of the balloons was observed over sensitive U.S. national security sites, including Malmstrom Air Force Base, which houses 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Pentagon has attributed that balloon to China. Beijing … Read more

A joint cybersecurity advisory issued by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance warns of increased threats to critical infrastructure originating from Russia. The Five Eyes alliance comprises the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, collaborating closely on signals intelligence and shared security concerns. Some historians trace the alliance’s roots to post-World War … Read more

Just under a fortnight ago, TelecomsTech reported on London-based MUSO’s request that Russian social network VK take stronger action against file-sharing. Although that intervention curbed illegal distribution on one prominent site, copyrighted music and television content remain widely available through piracy. The UK government is now exploring further steps to reduce unlawful downloading. The proposed … Read more