Luke Ibbetson

More consolidation in the UK Fibre market with Netomnia and Brsk announcing a merger. Not a surprise given the amount of altnets in the market, and a trend that mirrors the MNO landscape of consolidation in order to pursue growth. Will be interesting to see what happens next. #connectivity #networks #merger #investment #innovation #mnos #fibre #business #enterprise #altnet #UK #fibre #property #realestate #growth #telecoms #telecommunications #technology

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At nexfibre we're focussed not only on transforming access to full-fibre broadband for those previously underserved, but also shaping the market by providing much-needed long-term competition. We are here to be the sustainable catalyst that is required to drive progress and innovation, and in doing so stoke the growth the UK economy needs. Read more from our CEO Rajiv Datta as he reflects on competition in the UK full-fibre market👇 https://lnkd.in/eGHcuzkY

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Explore how a European tier 1 mobile operator has successfully overcome the challenges of rolling out its nationwide 5G network using innovative network testing solutions, addressing: 🔹 5G site and cluster performance validation before activation 🔹 5G network benchmarking against competitors 🔹 Identification and resolution of network issues 🔹 True customer experience measurement Download the case study and learn from a real-life example how to streamline your network testing processes ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dhZBdxiF #NetworkTesting #5G

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New Ofcom rules demand clarity on broadband tech. No more 'fibre' confusion! At Grain, we've always been crystal clear: our network is 100% Full Fibre. Read our blog to learn more: https://zurl.co/1UVe #BroadbandTransparency #NoFakeFibre

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Exciting times ahead for IoT and satellite connectivity.   I’ve been closely following the evolution of the IoT and its interconnection with satellite technology for many years, so I was interested to see a recent report from Juniper Research that predicts a 150% increase in the number of satellites supporting Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity over the next five years, with the total number of satellites increasing from 10,000 in 2024 to more than 24,000 in 2029.    The report highlights the critical role of multi-orbit structures, which combine the low latency of LEO satellites with the wide coverage of GEO satellites, which will be key to meeting the needs of IoT applications, from data-intensive operations to low-power, wide-area connectivity.   With the value of global satellite IoT transactions set to nearly quadruple by 2030, strategic partnerships will be essential to fill coverage gaps and provide seamless service. This is a defining moment for the satellite broadband industry and Brdy is committed to being at the forefront of this development, enabling reliable connectivity for all sectors. Find more information here: Satellite IoT Services Market Report 2024-30: Size, Growth www.juniperresearch.com #IoT #SatelliteConnectivity #LEO #GEO #BrdyBroadband

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Latest #BTwatch Weekly Briefing: 📈 Openreach Fibre Build Director Georgia Grimes laid out the latest FTTP progress 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The final Scottish 4G Infill mast was hooked up to EE’s network 🌧️ Openreach and nexfibre jointly dampened expectations of imminent 25G PON and 50G PON launches 🌐 Full briefing includes updates on ambitions to offload Irish business, confirmed legal panel, key new hires and partnerships, and much more... Read the full briefing: https://lnkd.in/eiQM7NYg ⚡ Weekly Briefings are new for 2024, crafted exclusively for those who need to be in the know by our authoritative editors and analysts. Subscribers get the full picture in one place online or by newsletter. Now available for Digital Infrawatch, Vodafonewatch, BTwatch, Deutsche Telekomwatch, Telefónicawatch. From TelcoTitans — #1 for EMEA Telco & Digital Infra Leaders. #TelcoTitans #Telecoms #BT BT Group #Openreach #EE #UK #Network #Fibre #ConnectedNorth #4G

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Interesting article by Mike Dano about mobile voice. But wow. 15 years after I started running “Future of Voice” workshops & advising on voice applications “beyond the call”, parts of the mobile industry are finally starting to wake up to the idea that there could be options beyond basic telephony. ☎️ But these use-cases are still the same old “session” and call-centric ideas. And they’re stuck in the trap of thinking that IMS is a platform. They’re blending dead-end phone calls with undead zombie RCS 🤦🏻‍♂️ As a reminder, IMS was already obsolete in 2006 and yet here we are, nearly 20 years later, still trying to pretend it’s a suitable basis for voice innovation… just because operators were forced to deploy it to support the deeply-flawed VoLTE. 📞 Meanwhile the real world of value in voice communications has bypassed telcos. Look at the world of non-call voice, from chatbots & smart speakers, to in-game voice chat and even podcasts. There are no 5G microphones at 5G conferences, for instance. 🎤 I’ll have to do a deep dive on this at some point, but I’ll note that the GSMA “5G New Calling” paper doesn’t once mention the words “acoustic”, “echo” or “noise”. This should give a warning of how much they understand the broader world of audio communications and human voice experience. A further warning of irrelevance should be its use of the term “OTT” and its insistence on the 140 year model of a “call”. 🔊 (Edit: a historical note that in the 1890s, it was already possible to get one-way "streaming music" via phone networks, aka The Theatrophone. No, it wasn't monetised by telecom operators, beyond the user paying for a phone call as access) #5G #standards #VoLTE #GSMA #RCS #mobile

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Recent RootMetrics tests find 5G availability and speeds are improving in the UK, with EE not only providing the best 5G experience but also offering the best overall mobile service https://lnkd.in/eehceKzt

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Spectrum sharing announcements are always welcome. Recently in Spain, three MNOs have agreed to share spectrum, marking a step in the right direction though I have not seen tangible details or build-out commitments. Resource sharing among MNOs is becoming increasingly compelling due to flat ARPU, rising customer usage, the deployment of more spectrum with related equipment (antennas, RRUs, BBUs, power supplies, etc.), and the undeniable need for more coverage and capacity. Cellular sites will continue to proliferate for these reasons. We see deployments in-building, on campuses, for private networks, as small cells in populated areas, and macros in more rural locations. Rural applications include expanded coverage for basic connectivity, 911/Public Safety via programs like FirstNet, and Fixed Wireless Access. However, funding expansion for these use cases remains a challenge. Exclusive spectrum licensing places deployment in the hands of a few MNOs in the US, who are primarily accountable to Wall Street. These MNOs are tied up with their own pressing matters and lack (have not built in) the capacity to collaborate with smaller providers on innovative spectrum sharing or resource sharing via neutral host options. Historically, there has been little incentive to work with smaller providers, but this may be changing. CBRS has provided some relief, though power levels are extremely limited compared to the adjacent C-Band. Without a CBRS PAL channel, small providers face the power and interference constraints of GAA and unlicensed bands. The MNOs and their organization, the CTIA, call for more exclusive mid-band spectrum. However, this only extends the runway for FWA capacity growth and avoids addressing the fundamental issues of financial viability for deployments and practical means to deploy more sites through partnerships. Spectrum sharing, infrastructure sharing, and Open RAN are potential solutions. While each comes with significant operational challenges, it's clear that we cannot meet future needs by continuing with the status quo.

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https://buff.ly/3RPuAgz Given Openreach's recent stricter stance on the whereabouts process for AltNet broadband engineers, what are your views regarding this change? Additionally, what suggestions do you have for improving the efficiency and accuracy of the whereabouts reporting process to ensure smoother operations and better compliance? #TelecomIndustry #AltNetBroadband #FttP #Gigaclear #Virginmedia #cityfibre #news #countybroadband

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It is imperative that we retain a focus on the optimisation of that infrastructure and enable continued investment in its development. We have seen how the transition from #2G, through to #3G, #4G and #5G have each enabled the development of more and more sophisticated solutions. The continued development of core infrastructure has to be sustainable, and over the last few months we have begun to see the challenges that the operators that provide it are facing. Both MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria have declared significant foreign exchange (FX) losses in Nigeria, and the stress is not linked to them alone. The entire ecosystem is battling with a range of challenges that must be addressed. If we fail to do so, the downstream impact on innovation will be severe. Telecoms infrastructure requires a base level of investment to maintain its current capabilities, and significant additional investment to expand and grow. It is capital intensive, and that capital has to be generated through sustainable business models, writes ✍️ Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria 🇳🇬 (ALTON) Cc: Globacom | 9mobile

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BT to provide a 3GPP standards based feature called Network Boost, supercharging the 4G connection in cities where 5G standalone currently remains unavailable https://ow.ly/bbZs50TiEZi #NetworkBoost #BT #HRV #5GSA #4G

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Update on ARIANE (Accelerating RAN Intelligence across Network Ecosystems) Quick reminder: a UK DSIT and Industry co-funded 18 month project, showing the power of Automation and AI for RAN. As a consortium, we're building and trialing a set of prioritised rAPPs and xAPPs across multiple RIC platforms using real world test scenarios, at BT's Adastral Park Lab. And there's more...the add-ons to individual application performance testing, are technical observations during application conflicts, a paper on standardising onboarding and portability of apps, performance benchmarking of the E2 interface for multiple RICs, and insights and recommendations to make the 1st 'dare I say it' quantum safe OpenRAN stack. Consortium includes Telecom Infra Project, Accenture, Amdocs, Arqit, BT Group, HCLTech, Reply, VIAVI Solutions, VMware @ Broadcom Read this presentation to find out more and to get some early insights. If you're a telco operator, you'll be interested in the early doors test results of AI/ML applications that can help tuning the RAN network, if you're a vendor, look for an opportunity to apply your platform or skills into similar TIP led projects. Come to #fyuz2024 to see the apps being demo'd and further technical insights from this project. #telecominfraproject #fyuz2024 #accenture #amdocs #arqit #netreply #hcltech #viavisolutions #vmware@broadcom

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Thursday School: Spectrum Access : Improved Opportunities and Outcomes? Access to spectrum is the lifeblood of Mobile Networks. There are currently a number of initiatives in the UK and elsewhere aiming to improve access to spectrum for non-MNOs, largely recognising that these mechanisms have positive effects of society. The mechanisms vary, from CBRS, Local Access Licensing, Campus Spectrum, Shared Access (Lightly Licensed) and now new initiatives in Spectrum Sandbox. Looking, for example, at the proliferation and use of Shared Access Spectrum, we can see that the numbers and distribution are broadly good. 890 - mostly outdoors - licenses issued right across the UK. But what are they used for? The major use is different slants of Private Networks. Private Networks add coverage and capacity in unserved and underserved locations. They maybe Neutral Host Networks – deploying publicly accessible spectrum – Host Private Networks – deploying spectrum for exclusive use of the deploying body or landlord – or a Hybrid, deploying spectrum for both. For Neutral Host, integration with MNO systems and processes is needed. Freshwave’s Omni solution announced yesterday is an example of this, as well as Shared Access, Boldyn Networks, Dense Air, Cellnex UK, Wireless Infrastructure Group, NET CS and many others. For Host Private Networks, integration with Enterprise IT systems and processes is needed. Industrial and FWA are 2 examples of this. For Hybrid, it’s clearly both. A campus network could be a great example, opening up Private Land for Public Mobile Access, but also allowing connection and processing of private data, such as sensor data, CCTV cameras (optionally including Video Analytics/Computer vision). But it’s clear from measures to further improve access, that the spectrum access is adding value and will continue to do so!  #InvisibleInfrastructure #EveryDaysaSchoolDay #Mobile 🤳🏼 #Telecommunications Previous Post: https://lnkd.in/epakF_6T

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Our CEO Rajiv Datta spoke at ISPA UK’s Business Summit alongside Andrew Kernahan, Ana Baide, Richard Allwood, Tim Creswick and Wil Wadsworth on the evolution of the fibre market. UK connectivity is at a crossroads. Though the emergence of altnets has injected much-needed competition into the market, historical underinvestment means the UK lags behind other developed economies on full-fibre broadband. Rajiv Datta said: I firmly believe that by prioritising competition, investment and innovation, policymakers can foster the development of a dynamic, consumer-centric telecoms market that will power the UK’s digital future. https://lnkd.in/eexYmnMw

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**Covert Greenish Light for the Vodafone/Three Merger** The CMA's provisional findings on the Vodafone/Three merger are a lot more positive than first appears - The inevitable pricing harms from the CMA's modelling are quite modest at 28p per subscriber per month - equivalent to a maximum 2% of typical contract ARPUs of £15-20. - The CMA sets out a range of remedies which we think the companies will be open to and, crucially, does not seek any structural remedies such as divestments. - Vodafone has already stated that it is ready to provide binding commitments on its planned network spend. The proposed temporary retail and wholesale pricing protections, although arguably not necessary, are not likely to be deal breakers. A round of consultations and negotiations will kick off now, with a conclusion due by December 7th. We now expect that to be a positive one. A full note for Enders Analysis subscribers is incoming. Enders Analysis Vodafone Three UK CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd James Barford Katharine Lindsay Hamish Low

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Ofcom's New Guidance To Stop Fibre Product Confusion Comes Into Effect Today 👀 Back in December 2023, Ofcom announced they were issuing new guidelines to improve broadband information for consumers. Broadband providers must clearly describe the underlying technology of their services using terms like ‘cable,’ ‘full-fibre,’ or ‘copper’ at the point of sale, contract information, and summaries. The term ‘fibre’ alone is now considered ambiguous and should not be used to describe underlying technology. These changes aim to help consumers make informed choices and will take effect today - September 16, 2024. Selina Chadha, Ofcom’s previous Director of Connectivity, added these comments back in December 2023 when Ofcom first announced the movement: “Today’s guidance is designed to address customer confusion surrounding the different network technologies underpinning broadband services. By requiring clear, straightforward information on network technologies, consumers will have a better understanding of the characteristics of their broadband service, so that they can compare services more easily and choose the best one to meet their needs.” The “altnet” industry has been calling for such changes since the start of the “Full Fibre Boom”, we recently had Alistair Goulden, Founder Of Swish Fibre (now part of the AllPoints Fibre) family, on the Fibrenews Podcast, where we discussed his efforts to launch a national campaign to raise awareness around “Fake Fibre” back in 2021. At Fibrenews, we created our own content to support consumers with understanding the difference between “part fibre” & “full fibre” (link to both in the comments). The action to support consumers and ISP’s is long overdue, and Jarlath Finnegan, CEO of AllPoints Fibre made a statement calling for the ASA to take action whilst Ofcom leads the charge and creates the formal awareness: “Ofcom’s new industry guidance is welcome. We have been saying for some time that consumers are being misled by providers who sell part-copper connectivity as ‘fibre’. We now need the Advertising Standards Authority to immediately follow suit. It’s little surprise that consumers aren’t engaging more heavily with the market when terms like ‘fibre’ are being used in an unclear way.” Full article in the comments 👀

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