Latest news with #Telecoms
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
European Stocks Recoup Losses as Bonds Come Off Session Lows
European stocks recouped losses from earlier in the day to close flat, after bonds came off session lows and several companies delivered good earnings. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index closed 0.1% higher, having earlier shed as much as 0.8%. The losses came after Moody's Ratings stripped the US government of its top credit rating soured investor sentiment and trade tensions continued to weigh. While auto and energy shares lagged, telecoms, travel and leisure stocks made gains. A large quantity of European shares were also trading ex-dividend.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Big broadband provider to CLOSE with all 95,000 customers complete switch to new supplier in weeks
A BIG broadband provider is to close with all customers transferred to a new supplier in weeks. Origin Broadband, a subsidiary of TalkTalk, is exiting the telecoms market for good on June 1. All affected customers will have their broadband and homephone services switched to Utility Warehouse (UW). UW, which already provides broadband services via TalkTalk's network, will now extend its offerings to these customers. This announcement follows an email sent to Origin Broadband customers a few weeks ago, notifying them of the changes. The email stated: "We're contacting you to let you know that Origin has made the difficult decision to exit the telecoms market. "From March 28, Utility Warehouse Limited (UW) will provide your broadband and homephone services. "Origin will support your broadband and homephone service and handle any queries you have regarding your account and service on UW's behalf until June 1, 2025." Origin Broadband was once an independent company, but after experiencing financial difficulties, TalkTalk took over ownership in 2021. Since then, Origin has been relatively quiet and stopped accepting new customers. Although they briefly trialled taking on new subscribers late last year, this was short-lived, leaving the future of the brand uncertain, according to ISPreview. A TalkTalk spokesperson said: "TalkTalk and Utility Warehouse (UW) have enjoyed a long-standing partnership. History of Origin Broadband ORIGIN Broadband began in 2011, initially focusing on South Yorkshire before expanding across the UK. It made a name for itself with decent customer service and some affordable Standard Fibre deals. However, problems arose in 2018 when Origin was rescued by creditors after struggling with "substantial bad debts." A Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was put in place, allowing them to repay creditors over time. In August 2021, facing over £20 million in losses, Origin began migrating all customer lines to TalkTalk's platform. While the Origin brand remained for existing customers, new deals were no longer offered. TalkTalk has now agreed to transfer Origin's customers to Utility Warehouse. "As announced by UW recently, TalkTalk has agreed a partnership under which approximately 95,000 Origin customers will be transferred to UW. "Impacted customers will be contacted ahead of migration. No decision has been taken on the future of the Origin brand." The transfer is expected to benefit TalkTalk financially, although specific details of the deal haven't been revealed. Affected customers will not need to take any action, and their service and monthly bill will remain unchanged. Stuart Burnett, chief executive of UW, said: "UW is delighted to welcome these customers into our growing base of well over one million customers, who benefit from the opportunity to make valuable ongoing savings when they bundle their utilities with us." If you're no longer under contract with Origin Broadband, it may be worth exploring other providers to see if you can secure a better deal elsewhere. More than nine million Brits are out of contract on their broadband package, according to Uswitch. While customers can leave their contract at any time, those still locked in will likely need to pay a penalty for leaving early, which varies from provider to provider. How do I switch providers? Switching TV, broadband and landline providers has become significantly easier due to new rules introduced in September 2024. Customers now only need to contact their new provider to make the switch, eliminating the need to deal with their current provider, even if they find a better deal elsewhere. Since 2015, customers using Openreach's network – which includes providers like BT and Sky – have been able to switch by allowing their new provider to handle the process. However, switching to or from providers like Virgin Media, which operates on its own independent network, previously required contacting the existing provider to arrange the change. Ofcom 's new "One Touch" rules have streamlined the process for all networks. Now, customers switching services only need to liaise with their new provider, regardless of the network. These rules also ensure that customers won't pay notice-period charges beyond the switch date, meaning they won't be billed for overlapping services. Additionally, providers are required to compensate customers for any issues during the switch, such as being left without service for more than one working day. The amount of compensation will vary depending on the situation. The new rules align broadband and TV switching with mobile switching. Since 2019, mobile phone customers have been able to switch providers using the "text to switch" system, avoiding the hassle of calling their current network. To find the best deals, consider visiting comparison sites such as MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch.
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Services sector growth slows in April amid trade concerns, PMI shows
Growth in the country's services sector slowed in April to its lowest level in over a year as international trade tensions weighed on business sentiment, a survey shows today. The AIB Global S&P Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 52.8 in April from 55.3 in March, still above the 50 level that separates growth from contraction where it has continuously remained for just over four years. The survey highlighted unease at the impact of US tariffs, which contributed to the weakest business expectations in four-and-a-half years. The Finance Department has said that the tarrifs could disproportionately hit the fast growing economy. New business growth slowed markedly, recording the largest monthly fall since January 2021, while new orders from abroad rose at one of the slowest rates in the current 18-month growth sequence. Today's survey shows that demand rose only fractionally in Business Services and fell at the fastest rate in over two years in Transport, Tourism & Leisure. Despite the slowdown, employment growth remained robust, with service providers continuing to expand their workforces at a solid pace. The rate of job creation was the second-fastest in eight months following an even stronger March and driven by increased outstanding work, particularly in the Technology, Media & Telecoms sector. Input price inflation eased to its weakest rate in five months, driven mainly by wages, while charges also increased at a softer pace. The sector's performance still outpaced the euro zone, UK, and US flash PMIs for April, which stood at 49.7, 48.9, and 51.4, respectively.
