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BT's latest broadband trial will more than treble download speeds
For the fastest broadband speeds, you normally need fibre optic cables running directly into your home. While that's still the perfect solution, BT will soon be trialling a new technology that could give those on copper a much-needed speed boost. Fibre To The Distribution Point (FTTdp), commonly referred to as "G.fast," uses a wider frequency band to increase data speeds over copper. It works best over short distances, so usually a node is required somewhere between the cabinet and your home to extend the reach of the faster fibre. As ISPreview reports, BT is beginning its first residential trial next month in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, with Gosforth, Newcastle and Swansea to follow. It should be able to deliver "a few hundred megabits per second" at first, although BT says 500 Mbps should be achievable in the future. Given Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) normally tops out at 80 Mbps, this will be a huge jump for households still waiting on full-blown fibre.
BT's new 4K sports channel will cost £15 a month
As promised, BT is bringing the first 4K live sports channel to UK TV screens next month, and it's finally let us in on how much it's going to cost. BT Sport Ultra HD will begin broadcasting August 2nd, kicking off proceedings with an FA Community Shield footy match between Arsenal and Chelsea. There are only a couple of other events throughout August -- three Premier Leagues clashes and the Silverstone MotoGP -- that'll be available in 4K, but plenty more football, rugby and racing will be shown on the channel during their respective seasons. But how much is watching penalty box divers in unparalleled detail going to cost you? Well, BT's introducing a whole new tier to its TV offerings to accommodate the new channel. The "Entertainment Ultra HD" package includes the BT Sport Pack, all Freeview channels, 47 "premium" channels, access to catch-up services, as well as BT Sport Ultra HD for £15 per month.
Ofcom invites suggestions on how to handle BT and Openreach
When Ofcom announced its new "Strategic Review of Digital Communications," the last of which forced BT to create Openreach, Sky and TalkTalk immediately came forward calling for both businesses to be broken up once and for all. Today, the regulator has published a discussion document for the review which details the different approaches now under consideration. Nothing has been left off the table, it seems -- they include keeping the current model, strengthening the controls that keep BT and Openreach's relationship in check, substantial market deregulation and, finally, complete separation.
Virgin Media ups XL TV price by £3 for Champions League footy
When BT finally announced how much it would charge customers to access its new European football channel, Virgin Media remained quiet on whether those overheads would be passed onto customers. The cable broadcaster has offered BT Sport's original two channels for no additional cost as part of its TV XL packages, but from September 1st, subscribers will be asked to pay £3 a month extra even if they don't want to watch Champions League matches.
BT goes on the offensive against Sky's pay-TV dominance
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom is currently taking a long, hard look at BT and its subsidiary Openreach, which is responsible for managing the company's broadband infrastructure. Ofcom's deciding whether it's in everyone's best interests to split the two completely, a move championed by several of BT's broadband competitors, Sky in particular. Recently, Sky published a report to further this agenda, using various stats to support its claim that Openreach provides an inadequate service that reflects badly on the companies using its network for their broadband products. It appears that BT has grown tired of being permanently on the defensive, and has today called for Ofcom to investigate Sky's dominant position in the pay TV market, which BT claims is lumbering Brits with unfairly high prices.
999 services must embrace texts and apps, says report
While technology has helped the UK's emergency services evolve, people in need are largely required to report incidents by calling 999. It's an adequate solution for the majority of cases, but if someone is the victim of a break-in, picking up the phone just isn't feasible. That's why the the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the world's biggest professional engineering institution, is calling for some modernisation. It argues that in a world where smartphones, messaging apps and social media services are widespread, letting Brits text 999 in a time of need could save more lives by allowing for faster responses.
Sky uses stats to explain why BT and Openreach should split
It's no secret that Sky wants BT and Openreach split up. When Ofcom announced its new review of the UK telecommunications industry, the broadcaster said "structural separation" was vital to address what it perceives as a conflict of interest. Now that the investigation is underway, Sky has published its submission in full with a crucial recommendation: to upgrade the case to a "market investigation reference" with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The company argues that the relationship between BT and Openreach is reducing competition and limiting providers like Sky with its inadequate service. Were the CMA to set up its own inquiry, it could, depending on the outcome, lead to a forced separation of BT and Openreach -- something both parties are keen to avoid.
BT doesn't want the burden of building landlines anymore
BT has asked Ofcom to relax requirements imposed on its Openreach network arm to provide traditional telephone services, with the expectation VoIP systems "will be used nationwide by 2025." Currently, Openreach is mandated by Ofcom to build and maintain equipment that provides fixed-line phone service at its exchanges, a regulation BT sees as outdated. According to BT, rules have "not kept up with the massive growth in competition and rapid pace of technology change over the last decade," and relaxing them "would improve efficiency, stimulate competition, and encourage investment." As BT's CEO Gavin Patterson said in May, "replacing legacy networks and platforms" will allow the company to cut costs and focus on internet services.
TalkTalk's new (almost) gigabit broadband is actually affordable
While BT's broadband networks dominate the UK, other ISPs want to avoid giving their rival any more money by creating their own. Just yesterday, Virgin Media announced it had begun installing 152Mbps connections across Manchester as part of a £3 billion UK expansion, but now TalkTalk is going one better with the launch of Ultra Fibre Optic (UFO) broadband in York. Although it's effectively a gigabit service, TalkTalk has steered away from using the term, choosing instead to brand it under the UFO name. Homes and businesses in the city will enjoy up to 940Mbps, which is over six times faster than Virgin Media's current theoretical limit and 12 times quicker than BT's current fibre allocation.
Switching your broadband supplier just got really easy
When Ofcom announced that consumers can ditch their contract if broadband speeds aren't as advertised, it also said it would also make changing providers even easier. This new "one touch" process comes into effect today, finally putting the responsibility of switching onto the company you wish to join. Under the new system, canceling your contract is a thing of the past (if you haven't agreed to a minimum term) and as long as your new provider requires a BT phone line, like EE, Sky and TalkTalk do, then they will handle the rest.
BT grabs 'Walking Dead' spin-off exclusivity in AMC channel deal
While Sky finances its own original TV content, it also imports blockbuster US series including Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire and Silicon Valley for its Sky Atlantic channel. BT's tried to keep up by offering Netflix on its set-top boxes, but its latest deal could give it much sounder footing. The company has teamed up with AMC, maker of Breaking Bad, Mad Men and The Walking Dead, to launch a new UK AMC channel on BT TV.
Slow broadband? Ofcom says you can ditch your contract
While the UK's broadband coverage is expanding, its infrastructure is only maintained by a few providers. With little overlap, some areas suffer from a lack of investment, which often means that speeds are lower than advertised. Those affected have previously had little choice but to put up with it, but a new ruling from communications regulator Ofcom could change that. The watchdog has announced that it will let consumers escape broadband contracts if speeds "fall below expected levels."
Vodafone returns to broadband with 'Connect'
More than three years after it left the market, Vodafone has made a return to broadband. After months of teasing, the carrier has unveiled 'Connect,' a new internet and home phone service that will initially only be available to existing customers. Like many of its rivals, including Sky and TalkTalk, Vodafone will piggyback on BT's Openreach infrastructure (although it is utilising the Cable & Wireless backbone it acquired in 2012), offering 17Mbps speeds as part of its basic package, or 76Mbps fibre in its top-tier plan.
BT's launching an Ultra HD box to host Europe's first 4K TV channel
While BT will begin charging Sky subscribers for access to Champions League football next season, the company may soon ask for more money from existing customers too. It's for a good reason, though: the company has said it will launch the first 4K channel in Europe in August, called BT Sport Ultra HD, delivering selected matches from the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Aviva Premiership Rugby. As you'd expect, these broadcasts won't work on BT's existing hardware, so it'll introduce a new BT TV Ultra HD set-top box to do the heavy lifting.
BT details how much it'll charge for Champions League football
We knew it was coming, but now we've got confirmation: Next season, BT will start charging for full Champions League and Europa League coverage on BT Sport. When both tournaments start up again, BT broadband customers will need to pay an extra £5 to access the new games. If you're signed up for BT TV, however, you'll be able to watch the European fixtures at no added cost. BT Sport 1 will remain free for BT broadband customers, under a new package called "BT Sport Lite," but the company is yet to confirm whether BT Sport 2 and BT Sport ESPN are included. The broadcaster also hasn't explained how the new pricing structure will affect Virgin Media and Sky TV customers that currently pay for BT Sport, either as an optional extra or an inclusive TV bundle.
BT under pressure to sort out super-slow broadband installations
We all want super-fast internet in our homes, but for many people that's borderline impossible, because there's no fibre optic infrastructure in their area. When they're told that a connection is finally available, it can also feel like forever before engineers set up the line. If you've ever been in a similar situation, then you might be interested in Ofcom's latest proposals. The regulator is considering new rules that would force Openreach, a BT-owned division that manages UK broadband connections, to react faster to new "leased line" orders from business customers (which includes internet service providers).
EE's 10 million 4G customers are great news for BT
EE was the first mobile network to offer 4G in the UK, and now, more than two and a half years later, it's still easily the most popular. The company has accumulated 10 million 4G customers, beating the numbers last reported by Three, O2 and Vodafone. It's a huge lead and one that will please BT, which is in the midst of buying EE's business. BT wants to strengthen its quad play offering and EE, provided the deal goes through, will give it a substantial network and subscriber base to work with. The company already offers mobile contracts -- using EE's network, unsurprisingly -- and Sky has confirmed it'll launch an O2-powered network in 2016. Three UK's owner, meanwhile, is acquiring O2 in order to leapfrog EE and become the UK's biggest carrier. While they sort out the details, BT has some time to fortify its position -- after all, EE's base of 4G subscribers will only continue to grow, benefitting the provider when its £12.5 billion buyout is finally approved.
BT's new home phone is as smart as your Android mobile
Now that smartphones have become personal companions, landline usage has understandably dropped. BT launched an Android-powered home phone, complete with smart call-blocking features and apps, in an attempt to lure people back, but because it only offered downloads via Opera's app store, choice was severely limited. With the BT Home SmartPhone S II, it appears the company has learned from its mistakes. It's partnered with Google to offer access to the Play Store, while Facebook, Twitter and BT Sport apps are already bundled. It means that you'll be able to watch Premier League football if the main TV is out of action, but also download your favourite apps and games -- as long as you're connected to WiFi. At £169.99, BT's Home SmartPhone S II is a little more expensive than Motorola's current-generation Moto G, meaning you really must be intent on making the most of your landline for this handset to make any fiscal sense.
Plusnet's jumping on the YouView bandwagon with its own TV service
In recent times, many of the UK's biggest broadband and TV providers have sought to head off competition by expanding into new markets. Virgin Media, TalkTalk and Sky are betting on mobile, while others are rushing to augment their offerings by diving into TV. Plusnet, which has made a name for itself as a reliable low-cost ISP, is one of these companies. After first trialling a YouView-powered set-top box with employees, then opening a small customer trial, the provider says it will begin offering a new TV bundle to all of its Unlimited Fibre customers.
BT gets back into mobile with a trio of SIM-only 4G plans
It's already been quite the week for the UK's mobile battleground, with Three UK's owner Hutchison Whampoa announcing its plan to acquire O2 for a cool £10 billion. And today, confirming recent rumours, BT is ready to re-enter mobile ten years after offloading its shares in O2 and getting out of the game. BT is pursuing its own, mammoth acquisition of EE, of course, but while it waits on regulatory approval, it's tapping EE's network under an MVNO agreement penned way back in 2013. BT is now part of the quad-play club, and like fellow members Virgin Media and TalkTalk, it's going after the price-conscious consumer with a trio of SIM-only plans.
