Neil Cumins

Neil is our resident tech expert. He's written guides on loads of broadband head-scratchers and is determined to solve all your technology problems!

Is it time to introduce broadband labelling?

The concept of broadband labelling could simplify the market, bringing regulation similar to other consumer products to internet access

How many ISPs does the UK need to be truly competitive?

We consider whether there’s a minimum number of broadband providers necessary to ensure a competitive broadband market in the UK.

How to choose a music streaming service

There are various factors to consider when trying to choose a music streaming service, from pricing to genre coverage

BritBox is 4 years old – has it been a success?

The launch of BritBox heralded a domestic rival to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but a lack of accessibility is hindering take-up

Tri-band routers to banish patchy wifi

Despite improvements, broadband routers continue to struggle with whole-home coverage – but tri-band routers could be the solution

Tricks to get broadband without a credit check

There are various reasons why you might want to get broadband without a credit check – we explain how to go about it

How do you deliver broadband to an island?

Broadband in island communities can be a hit-and-miss affair, not helped by the UK’s awkward geography and topology

Why have so many Google projects and products failed?

History is littered with failed Google projects, reflecting the hit-and-miss nature of investing in new technologies

The UK’s best cities for working from home

New evidence has revealed the best cities for working from home or setting up a new business, including some surprising candidates

Ten ways to improve SEO on a personal or company website

There are lots of quick and easy ways to improve SEO on a business or personal website – we list ten steps everyone can (and should) undertake

Why our careers will revolve around the three Hs in future

A blended working model is likely to be adopted by many employers, radically changing our careers

The rise of the micro-broadband companies

The established order of major ISPs is increasingly being challenged by micro-broadband companies with their own infrastructure and hardware

How do docking stations work?

Docking stations combine the portability of a laptop with the practicality of a desktop computer

Building Digital UK is the most important Government body you’ve never heard of

It might not be a name you’re familiar with, but its impact on all our lives is going to be significant.

Ten quick ways to boost PC performance

There are plenty of ways to boost PC performance, extending the lifespan and improving the practicality of these essential machines

Why domotics will transform our lives, homes and cities

Domotics is set to make the home of 2040 feel very different from the home of 2021, as automation evolves into every aspect of our lives

Five tips for keeping children safe online

With so much of our lives dependent on internet access, keeping children safe online is more important than ever

A brief history of the PC

Having been elevated to essential-purchase status by the internet, the history of the PC is as fascinating as the machine itself is mundane

How to share limited broadband bandwidth

There are many ways to maximise the practicality of limited broadband bandwidth, reducing stress and frustration among people living together

Switching Broadband is about to get a lot easier

Ofcom is considering ways to make the process of switching broadband provider even easier – potentially with a single mouse-click

Lockdown one year on – the mental depletion of online living

Mental depletion is becoming an increasingly well-recognised phenomenon, with the internet simultaneously helping and hindering efforts to recharge

What’s going on with Bitcoin?

Price spikes contrast against an increasingly uncertain future for the ubiquitous cryptocurrency

How broadband became the UK’s most common argument

Bust-ups over the internet have intensified during a year of lockdowns and unprecedented restrictions on personal freedom.

The best British crime dramas streaming now

As Line of Duty returns, we look at the best British crime dramas on streaming platforms here in the UK

How can you tell if you’re overpaying for broadband?

It’s often difficult to identify if you’re overpaying for broadband, but studying both your bill and your typical usage can provide useful pointers

Five things to do with an old PC

There are many things to do with an old PC, from dismantling and destroying it to refurbishing or restoring it to factory settings

Do all new homes come with full fibre broadband as standard?

An increasing number of new homes come with full fibre broadband, but it’s not something you can take for granted

How densely populated is the UK?

The question of how densely populated is the UK takes on particular significance when it comes to broadband availability

What the cancellation of Google’s Project Loon means for broadband

Google's Project Loon was a brave – if ultimately doomed – attempt to show how broadband can be distributed from the skies

What’s gone wrong with the Scottish Government’s R100 broadband scheme?

The Scottish Government's R100 broadband scheme promised to transform Scotland’s internet access, but this flagship manifesto pledge hasn’t been met

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Neil Cumins

Is it time to introduce broadband labelling?