Latest news with #BT-owned
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk's Starlink to get bigger slice of UK broadband network
Elon Musk's Starlink is set to be handed a bigger slice of Britain's broadband network amid surging demand for satellite internet services. Ofcom has outlined proposals to grant new temporary spectrum licences to Starlink for three of its gateway Earth stations. The stations, which are located at Starlink's existing sites in Hampshire, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, help to connect broadband users by transmitting data between satellites and infrastructure on the ground. Ofcom said the new licences, which would boost the frequencies that could be used by Starlink, would expand network capacity as demand grows for satellite broadband services. The regulator is consulting on providing Starlink with temporary access to E band spectrum that would expire at the end of 2028. The licences would be subject to technical conditions to protect other internet and satellite services. Ofcom said: 'We consider that granting these licences would enable Starlink to increase the capacity of its services, benefiting people and businesses who use these services in the UK. 'This should encourage investment, foster innovation and bolster growth of satellite services in the UK.' Starlink, a subsidiary of Mr Musk's SpaceX, is one of a number of companies vying to tackle patchy internet coverage in remote rural areas. It operates a constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites, which beam down signals to earth in areas that are either too difficult or expensive to reach with traditional infrastructure. Starlink's technology has proved popular with businesses and consumers in remote areas, while the company has also won public sector contracts including providing internet services to rural NHS GPs and location tracking for ambulance services. However, Starlink has recently come under scrutiny due to Mr Musk's links to Donald Trump's White House. The billionaire has courted controversy by suggesting he could turn off Starlink services in Ukraine, which has become heavily reliant on the company to keep it connected to the internet during the war with Russia. Mr Musk's dominance is facing a further threat from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who is preparing to launch his own satellite broadband service – Project Kuiper – in the UK. In addition to home broadband, mobile network operators are exploring how to deploy satellite technology to address signal 'not spots' in rural areas amid growing political frustration over poor coverage across the UK. BT-owned EE and Virgin Media O2 are already trialling Starlink's technology to improve their networks, while T-Mobile is testing services from Mr Musk's company in the US. Meanwhile Vodafone, which is poised to complete its £15bn merger with Three, has launched its own satellite venture with Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. Satellite services typically require a receiver that allows the user to connect to the internet. However, Ofcom has cleared the way for mobile companies to sign deals for an upgraded service that allows smartphones to connect directly with satellites. Any satellite connectivity will augment rather than replace traditional phone networks, while operators are expected to charge extra for the service, similar to roaming fees when travelling abroad. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk's Starlink to get bigger slice of UK broadband network
Elon Musk's Starlink is set to be handed a bigger slice of Britain's broadband network amid surging demand for satellite internet services. Ofcom has outlined proposals to grant new temporary spectrum licences to Starlink for three of its gateway Earth stations. The stations, which are located at Starlink's existing sites in Hampshire, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, help to connect broadband users by transmitting data between satellites and infrastructure on the ground. Ofcom said the new licences, which would boost the frequencies that could be used by Starlink, would expand network capacity as demand grows for satellite broadband services. The regulator is consulting on providing Starlink with temporary access to E band spectrum that would expire at the end of 2028. The licences would be subject to technical conditions to protect other internet and satellite services. Ofcom said: 'We consider that granting these licences would enable Starlink to increase the capacity of its services, benefiting people and businesses who use these services in the UK. 'This should encourage investment, foster innovation and bolster growth of satellite services in the UK.' Starlink, a subsidiary of Mr Musk's SpaceX, is one of a number of companies vying to tackle patchy internet coverage in remote rural areas. It operates a constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites, which beam down signals to earth in areas that are either too difficult or expensive to reach with traditional infrastructure. Starlink's technology has proved popular with businesses and consumers in remote areas, while the company has also won public sector contracts including providing internet services to rural NHS GPs and location tracking for ambulance services. However, Starlink has recently come under scrutiny due to Mr Musk's links to Donald Trump's White House. The billionaire has courted controversy by suggesting he could turn off Starlink services in Ukraine, which has become heavily reliant on the company to keep it connected to the internet during the war with Russia. Mr Musk's dominance is facing a further threat from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who is preparing to launch his own satellite broadband service – Project Kuiper – in the UK. In addition to home broadband, mobile network operators are exploring how to deploy satellite technology to address signal 'not spots' in rural areas amid growing political frustration over poor coverage across the UK. BT-owned EE and Virgin Media O2 are already trialling Starlink's technology to improve their networks, while T-Mobile is testing services from Mr Musk's company in the US. Meanwhile Vodafone, which is poised to complete its £15bn merger with Three, has launched its own satellite venture with Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. Satellite services typically require a receiver that allows the user to connect to the internet. However, Ofcom has cleared the way for mobile companies to sign deals for an upgraded service that allows smartphones to connect directly with satellites. Any satellite connectivity will augment rather than replace traditional phone networks, while operators are expected to charge extra for the service, similar to roaming fees when travelling abroad. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Millions of BT, Sky & Vodafone broadband customers warned key service is closing down as part of switchover in 163 areas
See the full list below END OF THE LINE Millions of BT, Sky & Vodafone broadband customers warned key service is closing down as part of switchover in 163 areas MILLIONS of Brits have been warned of a major upgrade to their broadband service as part of a huge switchover to boost speeds. BT-owned Openreach has revealed a further 163 new exchange locations where it plans to stop the sale of traditional copper-based phone and broadband. 2 BT's Openreach is making the changes Credit: Getty 2 Other providers like Sky Broadband will be affected by the move Credit: Alamy Instead, customers will be encouraged to switch to ultrafast full fibre. The move will affect a number of providers who rely on Openreach's cables - including BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone - and their customers. Openreach has given the companies a year's notice that it will no longer be selling legacy analogue products and services where full fibre becomes available to a majority of premises. With 163 exchange locations earmarked for switchover, the total now stands at over 1,500 across the UK. The new bunch covers around 1.6million premises across the UK. And by the start of June, more than eight million premises will have full fibre available and copper products cannot be sold. "We're moving to a digital world and Openreach is helping with that transformation by rolling out ultrafast, ultra-reliable, and future-proofed digital full fibre across the UK," said James Lilley, Openreach's managed customer migrations manager. "This game-changing technology will become the backbone of our economy for decades to come, supporting every aspect of our public services, businesses, industries, and daily lives. "Already, our full fibre network is available to 18 million homes and businesses, with 6.5 million premises currently taking a service. "The programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK's communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future." THINK TWICE BEFORE SHARING YOUR WI-FI It comes as regulator Ofcom announced that full-fibre broadband is on course to become available to almost the entire country by 2027. Bosses have shared proposals to boost competition in the sector so smaller operators have a better chance. "The roll out of full fibre across the UK is a British infrastructure success story," said Natalie Black, Ofcom's Group Director for Networks and Communications. "Four years ago, less than a quarter of UK homes and offices had access, and it now stands at nearly seven in 10. "But we do not take this momentum for granted, and today we are setting out how we can work with the sector to finish the job. "It means that people and businesses in nearly all corners of the country will get faster, better broadband, fuelling economic growth and enabling technologies like artificial intelligence to benefit everyone."
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Millions of BT, Sky & Vodafone broadband customers warned key service is closing down as part of switchover in 163 areas
MILLIONS of Brits have been warned of a major upgrade to their broadband service as part of a huge switchover to boost speeds. BT-owned Openreach has revealed a further 163 new exchange locations where it plans to stop the sale of Advertisement 2 BT's Openreach is making the changes Credit: Getty 2 Other providers like Sky Broadband will be affected by the move Credit: Alamy Instead, customers will be encouraged to switch to ultrafast full fibre. The move will affect a number of providers who rely on Openreach's cables - including BT, Openreach has given the companies a year's notice that it will no longer be selling legacy analogue products and services where full fibre becomes available to a majority of premises. With 163 exchange locations earmarked for switchover, the total now stands at over 1,500 across the UK. Advertisement Read more about broadband The new bunch covers around 1.6million premises across the UK. And by the start of June, more than eight million premises will have full fibre available and copper products cannot be sold. "We're moving to a digital world and Openreach is helping with that transformation by rolling out ultrafast, ultra-reliable, and future-proofed digital full fibre across the UK," said James Lilley, Openreach's managed customer migrations manager. "This game-changing technology will become the backbone of our economy for decades to come, supporting every aspect of our public services, businesses, industries, and daily lives. Advertisement Most read in Tech "Already, our full fibre network is available to 18 million homes and businesses, with 6.5 million premises currently taking a service. "The programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK's communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future." THINK TWICE BEFORE SHARING YOUR WI-FI It comes as regulator Ofcom announced that full-fibre broadband is on course to become available to almost the entire country by 2027. Bosses have shared proposals to boost competition in the sector so smaller operators have a better chance. Advertisement "The roll out of full fibre across the UK is a British infrastructure success story," said Natalie Black, Ofcom's Group Director for Networks and Communications. "Four years ago, less than a quarter of UK homes and offices had access, and it now stands at nearly seven in 10. "But we do not take this momentum for granted, and today we are setting out how we can work with the sector to finish the job. "It means that people and businesses in nearly all corners of the country will get faster, better broadband, fuelling economic growth and enabling technologies like artificial intelligence to benefit everyone." Advertisement Is my area affected? Here's a list of all the exchange names and exchange locations You can also check Openreach's website for the latest updates Chapel End (Nuneaton) East (Birmingham) Fallings Park (Wolverhampton) Furnace End (Shustoke) Haseley Knob (Fen End) Lichfield (Lichfield) Toll Bar (Coventry) Clacton (Clacton-on-Sea) Canvey Island (Canvey Island) Dane End (Ware) Hertford Town (Hertford) Highwoods (Colchester) Lakenheath (Lakenheath) Norwich North (Norwich) Ormesby (Hemsby) Whitton (Ipswich) Basford (Nottingham) Birstall (Birstall) Broughton (Broughton (Kettering)) Northampton (Northampton - Northamptonshire) Parwich (Parwich) Peterborough (Peterborough) Shirebrook (Shirebrook) Surfleet (Surfleet Seas End) Tamworth (Tamworth) Whittlesey (Whittlesey) Wymondham (Wymondham - Melton) Wisbech (Wisbech) Armadale (Armadale) Abbey St Bathans (Abbey St Bathans) Avonbridge (Avonbridge) Dundee Baxter (Dundee) Dundee Claverhouse (Dundee) Forfar (Forfar) Inverkeithing (Rosyth) Ashton In Makerfield (Greater Manchester – Wigan) Churchtown (Southport) Cleveleys (Thornton - Wyre) Orrell (Greater Manchester – Wigan) Preston (Preston - Lancashire) Rochdale (Greater Manchester – Rochdale) Standish (Greater Manchester – Wigan) Ulverston (Ulverston) Goodmayes (Greater London – Redbridge) South Ockendon (South Ockendon) St Albans (St Albans) Byfleet (Woking) Greenhithe (Swanscombe) Mitcham (Greater London – Merton) Redhill (Redhill - Surrey) Woolwich (Greater London – Greenwich) Padgate (Warrington) Stanley (Liverpool) Edgware (Greater London – Harrow) Harrow (Greater London – Harrow) Mill Hill (Greater London – Barnet) Ashton (Greater Manchester – Tameside) Moss Side (Greater Manchester – Manchester) Cullingworth (Wilsden) Hemingbrough (Hemingbrough) Howden (Howden) Sowerby Bridge (Halifax) Newington (Newington) Snodland (Snodland) Westgate (Margate) West Malling (Ditton) Coxhoe (Bowburn) Durham (Durham) East Layton (Melsonby) Saltburn (Saltburn-by-the-Sea) Sunderland North (Sunderland) Whitburn (Whitburn) Glenanne (Unmapped) Loughgall (Unmapped) Newtownhamilton (Unmapped) Banff (Banff) Baltasound (Baltasound) Carrbridge (Carrbridge) Eday (Dishes) Forres (Forres) Peterhead (Peterhead) Uyeasound (Clivocast) Gosport (Gosport) Peacehaven (Peacehaven) Polegate (Polegate) Seaford (Seaford) Beauchief (Sheffield) Bentley (Bentley - Doncaster) Kiveton (Kiveton Park) Louth (Louth) Lincoln Subs (Lincoln) Roxton (Keelby) Spalford (North Scarle) Dunstable (Dunstable) Long Compton (Long Compton) Broad Hinton (Broad Hinton) Calne (Calne) Fishponds (Bristol) Lacock (Lacock) Pill (Pill) Yatton (Yatton) Amesbury (Amesbury) Ludgershall (Ludgershall - Wiltshire) Tidworth (Tidworth) Weymouth (Weymouth) Ammanford (Ammanford) Dale (St Ishmael's) Haverfordwest (Haverfordwest) Crucorney (Llanthony) Llanishen (Cardiff) Porthcawl (Porthcawl) Pontypool (Newport - Newport) Bargoed (Newport - Newport)) Tonypandy (Tonypandy) Treorchy (Treorchy) Tredunnock (Llangybi) Reading South (Reading) Badsey (Badsey) Ipstones (Ipstones) Longton (Stoke-on-Trent) Studley (Redditch) Aberystwyth (Aberystwyth) Bodorgan (Malltraeth) Bow Street (Aberystwyth) Caerwys (Caerwys) Castle Caereinion (Castle Caereinion) Christleton (Waverton) Chester North (Chester) Ellesmere (Ellesmere) Ffestiniog (Llan Ffestiniog) Glyn Ceiriog (Trevor) Harlech (Harlech) Llandrillo (Llandrillo) Llanwrtyd Wells (Llanwrtyd Wells) Maentwrog (Gellilydan) Northop (Northop) Oswestry (Croesowallt) Valley (Valley) Telford (Telford) Wormelow (King's Thorn) Ardwell (Port Logan) Ballantrae (Ballantrae) Bankshill (Lockerbie) Blantyre (Blantyre) Cambusnethan (Wishaw) Chapelknowe (Chapelknowe) Crossford (Crossford) Greengairs (Greengairs) Johnstone Bridge (Johnstonebridge) Kilwinning (Kilwinning) Sanquhar (Sanquhar) Turnberry (Maidens) Tweedsmuir (Biggar) Bridestowe (Bridestowe) Chard (Chard) Churston (Paignton) Crediton (Crediton) Langtree (Langtree) Nanpean (St Stephen) Par (St Blazey) Silverton (Silverton) South Petherton (South Petherton) Yeovil (Yeovil)
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'worst' broadband confirmed - is your provider top or bottom of the latest list?
The most complained-about broadband suppliers have been revealed, and here are the best and worst. The very latest UK broadband stats are in and we now know the winners and losers when it comes to overall complaints. The new data has just been released by UK regulator Ofcom and it appears that NOW broadband and TalkTalk are coming bottom of the charts with both scoring below the industry average. "The most complained about fixed broadband providers were NOW Broadband and TalkTalk. NOW Broadband saw an increase, and TalkTalk saw a decrease in their complaints per 100,000 subscribers compared to the previous quarter," explained Ofcom Strangely, Sky - which actually owns NOW broadband - came in 2nd place with a score that makes it one of the least complained about suppliers. Getting the top spot was Plusnet, with the BT-owned provider seeing the fewest gripes from its users. Here's the full list of winners and losers FULL BROADBAND RESULTS PLUSNET • 5 complaints per 100,000 SKY • 6 complaints per 100,000 BT • 10 complaints per 100,000 VODAFONE • 11 complaints per 100,000 VIRGIN MEDIA • 11 acomplaints per 100,000 EE • 12 complaints per 100,000 NOW • 13 complaints per 100,000 TALKTALK • 13 complaints per 100,000 Along with checking out broadband complaints, Ofcom has also released figures about Landline, Mobile and Pay-TV gripes. Virgin came bottom of the pile for Pay-TV whilst TalkTalk also performed badly for landlines. Once again, Sky got top marks across the board with the least complaints in categories including Mobile and Pay TV. SKY • 2 complaints per 100,000 TALKTALK • 2 complaints per 100,000 BT/EE • 6 complaints per 100,000 VIRGIN MEDIA • 7 complaints per 100,000 HERE ARE THE FULL MOBILE RESULTS SKY • 1 complaint per 100,000 TESCO • 1 complaint per 100,000 EE • 2 complaints per 100,000 VODAFONE • 2 complaints per 100,000 THREE • 3 complaints per 100,000 O2 • 4 complaints per 100,000 If any of this has made you think it's time to ditch your supplier then it's always good to shop around. "These findings paint a similar picture to Which?'s research showing that the UK's biggest mobile and broadband providers are being outperformed by smaller rivals," said Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services. "Telecoms customers shouldn't have to put up with slow speeds, poor signal or substandard customer service. Our research shows that TV and broadband customers could save £160 per year by switching and the average mobile customer could save £67. "Anyone who is nearing the end of their contract and is unhappy with their current provider should not hesitate to vote with their feet and move to a different provider with better customer service and a faster connection."
