Fibre

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Vodafone Spain and MasOrange have officially signed a binding agreement to launch a new fibre network company in Spain.

Japan's NTT claims to have made a breakthrough that could herald a new era in high-capacity backbone networking.

According to Ofcom’s latest annual report on the nation’s broadband and mobile networks, 20.7 million UK homes can now access full-fibre broadband.

That figure is up from 57%, or17.1 million homes, in September 2023. Northern Ireland tops the charts with 93% of homes able to access full fibre.

The UK’s fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) alternative network (altnet) providers face mounting challenges in competing with established telecom players. Despite substantial investments in infrastructure, many altnet operators struggle to achieve profitability, with limited market penetration and insufficient customer acquisition.

IQ Fiber, a provider of 100% fibre-optic internet, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ThinkBig Networks, a Maryland-based fibre-optic internet provider.

Where technology, policy and commerce converge

Quickline’s fast and reliable full-fibre broadband is now live and bringing high-speed connectivity to rural communities across West Yorkshire, thanks to the government’s Project Gigabit.

Worldwide spending on telecommunications and pay TV services will reach $1,544 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 2.4% year-on-year, according to the Worldwide Semiannual Telecom Services Tracker published by International Data Corporation (IDC).

On 15 November, the Federated Telecoms Hubs (FTH) invited academia and industry to a symposium in London. 
It was an opportunity to hear from each of the four hubs that make up FTH and understand their ambitious collective goals to better drive the gap between telecoms R&D and translation to commercialisation.

Setting a new standard in business networking with unparalleled fiber and 5G convergence in a single device

The European Commission will contribute €865 million to the development of fibre and 5G networks, among other things, over the next three years and is ready to call for proposals to spend its cash.

Advanced multi-speed OLT-ONU platform enables operators to run mission-critical AI applications at the edge while providing the most cost-effective and power-efficient upgrade path for current GPON and 10G PON networks

The Broadband Forum is working on an initiative aimed at delivering "significant power savings" for fibre service providers when customers access the internet.

• Service provider required compact, energy-efficient solution to meet commercial and residential Wi-Fi needs of historic UK city
• Adtran’s open and programmable Combo PON technology empowers Fastr Broadband to offer high-speed symmetrical services
• Flexible, AI-driven solution managed by Mosaic Cloud Platform provides efficient

PXC to partner with fastest-growing alternative network in bid to become the UK’s go-to alt net aggregator.

• BT and Toshiba have already deployed a quantum-safe metro network in the London area
• Now they have teamed up with datacentre operator Equinix
• Its facilities in Canary Wharf, London, and Slough will be connected by data links protected using quantum key distribution

Connected Britain took place at ExCeL London from the 11th to the 12th of September. The comprehensive two-day programme brought together 7,500 industry experts, innovators, and policymakers to shape the future of connectivity.

CityFibre has announced a long-term partnership with Sky to expand its network reach.

As a result, Sky’s Full Fibre Broadband is expected to launch on CityFibre’s network starting next year.

• Research firm reports that fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) subs growth in UK is faster among altnets than major ISPs
• Altnets accounted for nearly 30% of retail UK FTTP connections at the end of Q2 2024; market leader BT had a 37% share
• Stinging rebuke for Virgin Media O2’s “premium pric

Report highlights the alarming need for businesses to strengthen defenses as AI fuels cyber threats

Prysmian, a leader in the energy transition and digital transformation, and a major employer in the Lexington, South Carolina area, has won its trade secrets case against its competitor Sterlite Technologies, Inc. and Prysmian’s former executive, Stephen Szymanski.

Quickline, a rural fibre and wireless broadband altnet, has bagged £250m in fresh funding from the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and NatWest to support its network rollout in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

The debt package comprises a £125m term loan and £100m debt guarantee from UKIB along with a £25m term loan from NatWest.