Ofcom launches BT investigation after emergency calls disruption

Ofcom has launched an investigation into BT following a national issue that disrupted national emergency services calls on June 25th.

On that day, individuals across the country were unable to connect with emergency services by dialling 999, as advised by the police, fire, and ambulance departments. Instead, they were instructed to call alternative numbers such as the non-emergency 101 line.

According to Ofcom's regulations, BT and other service providers are obligated...

28 June 2023 | Networks

UK announces space infrastructure fund

The UK government is taking significant strides to bolster the country's space sector with the launch of the Space Clusters and Infrastructure Fund (SCIF).

This initiative marks the first dedicated fund for UK space infrastructure and aims to accelerate the development of R&D facilities necessary for making space products mission-ready and commercially viable.

Investment in space R&D infrastructure is crucial for fostering the growth of the UK's space and...

24 May 2023 | Hot Topics

Russia-linked hackers seek to ‘disrupt or destroy’ UK infrastructure

UK Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden has warned that Russia-aligned hackers are seeking to disrupt or destroy Britain's critical infrastructure.

In a speech at the CyberUK conference in Belfast, Dowden unveiled new measures to support businesses "on the front line of our cyber defences" and described the hackers as "Wagner-like," a reference to the Russian mercenaries fighting in Ukraine that have been repeatedly accused of war crimes.

The National Cyber Security...

19 April 2023 | Legislation & Government

UK announces £50M satellite industry boost

The UK Space Agency has announced a £50 million fund to boost the satellite communications industry.

Funding from the initiative will be used for projects including satellite constellations, ground systems, and entirely new end-to-end systems.

Science Minister George Freeman said:

“Developing UK space capabilities and maximising commercial opportunities are key to the National Space Strategy, as part of our plans to become a leading power in space and build...

23 January 2023 | Broadband

UK sends legal documents mandating Huawei kit removal

The UK Government has sent legal documents to operators mandating the removal of Huawei equipment from national telecoms networks.

In 2020, the UK Government announced that Huawei’s kit must be removed from the country’s 5G networks by 2027. Operators were banned from purchasing Huawei’s equipment from 31 December 2020.

"This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy, both now and...

13 October 2022 | 5G

Solomon Islands secures $66M from China for Huawei towers

The Solomon Islands has secured a $66 million loan from China to build 161 mobile towers built and supplied by Huawei.

Under the terms of the deal, the island nation will receive a 20-year concessional loan from the state-linked Exim Bank of China. The government of the Solomon Islands called it “a historical financial partnership” between the two countries.

Western officials believe Beijing could use the security pact to build a military base in the Solomon Islands....

19 August 2022 | 5G

UK Government asks ISPs to promote social tariffs amid cost of living crisis

The UK Government is asking the country’s ISPs to promote social tariffs amid the cost of living crisis.

Low-cost social tariffs are offered to households receiving certain benefits to help close the “digital divide” and ensure that everyone has access to the work and social opportunities that connectivity brings.

However, data from British telecoms regulator Ofcom suggests that under two percent of eligible people are taking up social tariffs—meaning they’re...

4 April 2022 | Broadband

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich among sanctioned oligarchs

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich is among the latest Russian oligarchs to be sanctioned by the UK today.

Abramovich made the bulk of his wealth from selling assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The assets were acquired far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatisation initiative.

Between 2000-2008, Abramovich was the governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. He is allegedly a confidant of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin...

10 March 2022 | Legislation & Government

UK ditches plan to force ISPs to conduct mass surveillance

The UK Government has ditched a plan to force ISPs to conduct mass surveillance of their users.

Former British Prime Minister Theresa May previously served as Home Secretary during a particularly difficult period for national security when there was a particularly high prevalence of terror attacks. A number of ministers and intelligence agencies called for increased data collection to help combat this scourge.

May intended to introduce a bill named the Draft...

4 March 2022 | Legislation & Government

UK-Australia ‘network of liberty’ to combat malign cyber actors

The UK and Australia have agreed to develop a “network of liberty” to combat malign cyber actors.

Western alliances are being renewed in the face of increasing aggression from countries like Russia and China. Few alliances have as much history as the one between the UK and Australia.

“Britain and Australia share one of the oldest and strongest defence and security alliances,” said UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

“Operating and exercising side by...

21 January 2022 | Legislation & Government