Vodafone unveils upgraded backup battery for vulnerable landline users

A group of UK telcos led by Vodafone has launched a new bit of kit to keep the modem lights on during a power cut.

With the country in the midst of a somewhat abortive attempt to completely migrate from PSTN to VoIP, telcos are working overtime to assure vulnerable customers they will still be able to communicate when the mains electricity is on the blink.

New RCS messaging specs allows for encryption between iOS and Android

The GSMA has announced the release of new specifications for Rich Communication Services (RCS), the chief upshot of which is secure messaging between Android and iOS devices.

The svelte announcement from the GSMA states that the new specifications for RCS include end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.

Ofcom starts assessing compliance with the Online Safety Act

UK communications regulator Ofcom is ramping up its execution of new powers granted by the contentious Online Safety Act and will punish online platforms that censor insufficiently.

Online platforms had until yesterday to compile ‘a suitable and sufficient illegal harms risk assessment’.  Ofcom will start marking their homework to see if a) the risk assessment is suitable and sufficient and b) they’re acting on it. Ofcom says it will be ‘launching targeted enforcement action where we uncover concerns.’

UK Court of Appeal declares Ericsson in breach of FRAND obligations and an unwilling licensor

Following the landmark global SEP judgment in Lenovo’s favor by the UK Court of Appeal on 28 February 2025, Ericsson has refused to accept the interim licence terms.

Following the landmark global SEP judgment in Lenovo’s favor by the UK Court of Appeal on 28 February 2025, Ericsson has refused to accept the interim licence terms. As a result, the English Court of Appeal has officially declared Ericsson to be in breach of its FRAND obligations and an unwilling licensor.

BT delivers first successful trial of new live streaming technology

It’s the era of box office events driving huge online traffic, and in the case of Taylor Swift, literally the ‘Eras’. During her tour she smashed records for the most mobile data used during a standalone concert at Wembley Stadium. And while Swifties streamed their favourite songs in 2024, we saw sports lovers also drive record highs of online traffic.

DSIT’s Future Network Programmes: Advanced manufacturing

As the Future Network Programmes conclude, UKTIN is working with DSIT to reflect on the government-funded projects, outlining the key outcomes and the lessons learned to help improve future telecoms initiatives. 

The manufacturing sector is a critical part of the UK economy, with reports suggesting that accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 solutions could provide a £15 billion boost to economic output by 2035. AI, VR and other technologies - underpinned by connectivity - will be an essential part of the sector’s transformation.