Several organisations and industry figures have raised concerns about the potential consequences of Labour’s promise to provide state-run free broadband ahead of the UK general election. For a nation with the world’s fifth-largest economy, the UK’s broadband performance is disappointing. Research by Cable ranks the UK 34th globally, with an average download speed of just … Read more

(c)iStock.com/erhui1979 Digitalisation has fundamentally changed how people use phones. Consumers now expect to access rich data services—social platforms, video streaming, messaging and email—anytime from smartphones and tablets. This shift has transformed billing and charging models, driving widespread adoption of flat-rate and “all-you-can-eat” packages, often assembled as app-specific service bundles. At first glance, these bundles should … Read more

The Australian government has announced an additional A$1.5 billion (approximately US$2.4 billion) to accelerate the National Broadband Network (NBN) full-fibre rollout. The NBN is Australia’s wholesale, open-access national broadband network, operated by the government-owned NBN Co. Since its establishment in 2009, NBN Co had connected millions of homes and businesses, but the network has faced … Read more

The Ministry of Science and ICT in South Korea reports the country is nearing a major milestone of four million 5G subscribers. Debate continues about whether South Korea or the United States launched the first commercially available 5G network, but both nations were among the earliest adopters. Because of this leadership, South Korea’s 5G rollout … Read more

T-Mobile CEO John Legere declined requests to extend a promised consumer price freeze beyond the company’s existing three-year commitment if the Sprint merger is approved. Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, Legere answered questions from Representative Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) and Antitrust Subcommittee Chair David Cicilline (D-R.I.), both of whom pressed for a longer price cap … Read more

European businesses increasingly rely on a steady stream of space-derived data. For CIOs and COOs, the reliability, control, and cost of that data are critical operational concerns. Historically, Europe’s space industry has been fragmented, limiting its ability to compete with larger global rivals. To address this, three of Europe’s largest aerospace and defense companies have … Read more

A new assessment from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) warns that growing cyber threats endanger national security and the critical infrastructure that supports daily life. “The insights provided in this threat assessment are critical as we work to strengthen Canada’s security in an increasingly digital world,” said Defence Minister Bill Blair. The report … Read more

Canadian telecommunications operator Rogers has begun deploying the country’s first commercial 5G network, launching services in Toronto, downtown Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa, with plans to expand to more than 20 markets by the end of 2020. This initial rollout marks a significant step in bringing faster, lower-latency wireless connectivity to Canadian consumers and businesses. Rogers’ … Read more

Network testing specialists at Ookla have published an analysis of mobile roaming speeds across Europe during a year shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing vaccines remain effective against the Delta variant, which is spreading quickly in countries such as the UK. However, reduced protection—especially after only one dose—has already delayed the lifting of remaining restrictions … Read more

The Nokia Asha 501 was unveiled at a global launch event in New Delhi earlier this week to widespread praise, largely for its Lumia-inspired styling, swipe-based user interface, and very aggressive price point. For those unfamiliar with the Asha series, it represents Nokia’s strategy for emerging markets: delivering attractive, well-designed phones at very affordable prices … Read more