Broadband News: Telecoms & Technology

Coming soon – a national database designed to make broadband more reliable

A national database of underground cables is promising to make broadband more reliable

Why are 5G masts so unpopular, and what are the alternatives?

5G masts are a literal and metaphorical lightning rod for complaints, but alternatives are emerging to support home broadband services.

What can – and can’t – you do with generative AI?

Generative AI promises to solve many problems, though it’s advisable to approach it with caution at this early stage.

When will 3D printers become the norm in every home?

How does UK broadband compare to the rest of the world in 2024?

Global broadband speeds vary greatly, so how does the UK compare to other nations in terms of connectivity?

Should we mourn the end of the landline?

It’s the beginning of the end of the landline, but are consumers worse off without fixed-line telephone services?

Windows 12 is coming… here’s what we know so far.

It’s only a matter of time until Windows 12 launches, so what do we know about the next generation of Microsoft’s operating system?

Could high temperatures affect broadband reliability?

We explain how to ensure your router and devices keep their cool in a heatwave, maintaining broadband reliability

How dumbphones could reset our relationship with the internet

The internet was once a computer-only service. Thanks to dumbphones, it might be again.

Simple passwords are now outlawed in the UK

Scotland lags behind the rest of the UK for high-speed broadband

High-speed broadband in Scotland was supposed to be universal by now. Instead, it remains a postcode lottery.

UK broadband infrastructure vandalism attacks on the rise

Vandalism against our broadband infrastructure is on the rise – what's happening, and how will it affect you?

WiFi 7 is coming: what benefits will it bring?

WiFi 7 is officially on the way, bringing new range and performance to WiFi routers across the UK

Obsolete phone line exchanges could become EV charging points

Landline phone exchanges are becoming relics, just as a new cabling issue arises on our streets.

How much of the UK has full fibre broadband now?

Full fibre broadband coverage has improved in recent years, but we’re a long way from universal coverage.

Revealed: how hackers use compromised passwords

‘Air Fibre’ broadband offers connectivity where others fail

Air fibre broadband masts offer an alternative internet delivery system that could be coming to a street near you.

The cybercrime threat is evolving

Cybercrime will be more endemic than ever in 2024, so it’s vital to mitigate against it.

Is one touch broadband switching finally coming in 2024?

One touch switching has been delayed more than once, but it promises to hugely simplify changing ISPs.

Payment fraud on the rise: how can you stay safe?

A new wave of payment fraud is sweeping the country. We explain how to keep your financial data safe.

Net neutrality is under threat. What does it mean for you?

What is net neutrality? Should we be worried when it comes under threat?

Ofcom’s most complained about broadband providers revealed

The latest Ofcom broadband complaints table has been released – and it’s bad news for some.

Is satellite broadband about to go mainstream?

The Eutelsat/OneWeb merger could bring satellite broadband to the masses – but it’s not without risks.

Scottish broadband speeds are the best – and worst – in the UK

A new survey reveals Scottish broadband speeds vary hugely, but the reasons why are surprisingly complex.

What does the new Online Safety Bill mean for free speech?

The UK Government’s new Online Safety Bill could change our relationship with the internet forever.

Are people scared of upgrading to fibre broadband?

Upgrading to fibre broadband might seem an obvious step, yet statistics suggest many consumers are wary of making the move.

Plug and play broadband is transforming internet access in flats

Getting online is becoming simpler for residents in blocks of flats thanks to centralised broadband.

Data harvesting – the price you pay for free online services

Data harvesting funds free services by allowing shadowy agents to persuade and predict our behaviour, at the cost of our personal privacy.

Lampposts might be the future of home broadband

Broadband from lampposts might sound implausible, but it’s already being trialled in Scotland.

How the online experience varies around the world

Internet access overseas isn’t always as fast, dependable or trustworthy as the UK’s online infrastructure.

How big a threat is artificial intelligence?

The threat of AI is filling column inches at present, but should we really be concerned about the rise of the machines?

Plan to map the world under our feet could stop broadband outages

A national underground asset register might stop broadband outages by showing utility companies where infrastructure is buried.

Is your ISP the worst in the UK?

The latest Which? broadband satisfaction survey has revealed the best and worst ISPs. Is yours among the latter?

HTML5 and the battle for consistent online experiences

You’ve got HTML5 to thank for online content looking the same on every device you own.

The weirdest things might cause your broadband to go down

Bizarre reasons for broadband outages range from teething squirrels to out-of-control milk vans and old TV sets.

Is choice shrinking in the UK broadband market?

ISP consolidation is accelerating, with brands including Shell Energy, CityFibre and Trooli potentially disappearing from the UK.

Broadband to be faster on the moon than in parts of the UK

UK broadband speeds are officially slower than connections to the moon, according to new research.

Wifi 7 is coming… here’s what we know so far.

We explain why the next generation of broadband routers will be astonishingly fast, and probably a lot more expensive.

Gigabit broadband now available in over 99% of new homes

New home gigabit broadband availability means top speeds and reliability, but some regions are left behind.

What happened to Scotland’s R100 broadband rollout?

Scotland's R100 broadband scheme is years behind schedule, and delays are only going to get worse

Analysis: remote and hybrid working will remain the new normal

Hybrid working has become the default position in many employment sectors, with numerous factors preventing full-time returns to the office.

Revealed: who owns the UK’s broadband firms?

We investigate who owns UK broadband firms, and uncover some surprising answers along the way.

World Broadband Association predicts 50Gbps fibre by 2030

Connections 50 times the current fastest could be found in our homes within a decade. What could you do with that much speed?

Ofcom report reveals the state of British Broadband in 2022

Average speeds are on the up, but UK cities still lag well behind worldwide neighbours.

How JPEGs became the world’s default image format

The JPEG file format has become the only one you’re ever likely to use for photographs.

The UK broadband market is shrinking

The consolidation of brands may not be a cause for concern, but it’ll be notable when you look for a new provider.

Beware: keystroke logging malware on the rise

This favoured technique of hackers and cybercriminals is a growing phenomenon internet users should be wary of.

Property listings may need to include broadband coverage in future

Property listings and broadband coverage could be combined under new proposals, giving consumers better insight into domestic connectivity

Could power-cuts force our homes offline this winter?

The relationship between power cuts and broadband access might not be obvious, but it could be significant this winter.

The billion pound cost of broadband outages revealed

Shocking new research shows almost 11 million people have endured lengthy broadband outages in the last year.