Latest news with #NatalieBlack
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)
South Wales Argus
23-04-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Ofcom crack down on text message loophole used by scammers
The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. In response, Ofcom said it is now banning the leasing of Global Titles. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 22, 2025 Natalie Black, the regulator's group director for network and communications, said: 'We are taking world-leading action to tackle the threat posed by criminals gaining access to mobile networks. 'Leased Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling. 'Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands – protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process.' Ofcom said the risk posed by the leasing of Global Titles has been recognised by organisations including the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. NCSC chief technical officer Ollie Whitehouse said: 'Today's announcement marks an important step in the support of our mission to make the UK the safest place to live and work online. 'This technique, which is actively used by unregulated commercial companies, poses privacy and security risks to everyday users, and we urge our international partners to follow suit in addressing it. 'As the UK's national technical authority for cyber security, we also congratulate Ofcom on their continued global leadership in this critical area.'
Powys County Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Ofcom cracks down on mobile network loophole used to intercept text messages
Ofcom has said it is taking 'world-leading' action to prevent criminals maliciously using mobile networks to intercept text messages, including bank security codes. The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 22, 2025 In response, Ofcom said it is now banning the leasing of Global Titles. Natalie Black, the regulator's group director for network and communications, said: 'We are taking world-leading action to tackle the threat posed by criminals gaining access to mobile networks. 'Leased Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling. 'Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands – protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process.' Ofcom said the risk posed by the leasing of Global Titles has been recognised by organisations including the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. NCSC chief technical officer Ollie Whitehouse said: 'Today's announcement marks an important step in the support of our mission to make the UK the safest place to live and work online. 'This technique, which is actively used by unregulated commercial companies, poses privacy and security risks to everyday users, and we urge our international partners to follow suit in addressing it. 'As the UK's national technical authority for cyber security, we also congratulate Ofcom on their continued global leadership in this critical area.' Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer group Which?, said: 'Fraud is the most common crime in the UK so it's great to see Ofcom take action to close loopholes in mobile networks. 'For every week the Government fails to take action, victims lose millions to fraudsters and organised crime groups. 'Lord Hanson, the fraud minister, must ensure that the Government ends the fragmented approach to scam prevention and outlines a more co-ordinated approach across the tech, banking and telecoms sectors in its upcoming fraud strategy – stopping scammers in their tracks before they have a chance to part people from their hard-earned cash.'
Glasgow Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Ofcom crack down on text message loophole used by scammers
The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. In response, Ofcom said it is now banning the leasing of Global Titles. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 22, 2025 Natalie Black, the regulator's group director for network and communications, said: 'We are taking world-leading action to tackle the threat posed by criminals gaining access to mobile networks. 'Leased Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling. 'Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands – protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process.' Ofcom said the risk posed by the leasing of Global Titles has been recognised by organisations including the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. 'This technique, which is actively used by unregulated commercial companies, poses privacy and security risks to everyday users, and we urge our international partners to follow suit in addressing it. 'As the UK's national technical authority for cyber security, we also congratulate Ofcom on their continued global leadership in this critical area.'
