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Top 10 networking stories of 2015

A look back at Computer Weekly's most read networking news stories from 2015

Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Published: 31 Dec 2015 9:00

Here are Computer Weekly's top 10 networking news stories of 2015:

1. Level 3 outage slows down the internet

An undisclosed fault on communications provider Level 3’s global fibre network caused an internet slowdown affecting a number of different services around the world.

A number of internet service providers (ISPs) took the step of disabling transit across the Level 3 network in an attempt to mitigate the slowdown.

2. Airwave dropped from Emergency Services Network procurement

Incumbent radio network operator Airwave and mobile network operator Vodafone were both dropped from the tender process for the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) in the face of intense competition.

3. CMA to probe Three and O2 over BT-EE merger

The Competition and Markets Authority ran the rule over Three's proposed acquisition of O2 as it made up its mind over whether or not BT should be allowed to acquire EE.

4. Smart meter project in danger of outright failure, government warned

A report from the Energy and Climate Change Committee warned that plans to install smart meters across the UK by 2020 were veering off-track.

5. Vodafone introduces nationwide Wi-Fi calling

Vodafone became the second UK mobile operator after EE to give customers the ability to place voice calls over a wireless network connection.

6. Key Cisco executives step down alongside John Chambers

Cisco’s COO and sales chief both left the supplier as Chuck Robbins took over as CEO from John Chambers in July 2015.

7. City of London Police crack counterfeit Cisco ring

Detectives dismantle a criminal operation suspected of importing, exporting and selling fake Cisco hardware.

8. BT agrees purchase terms with EE

BT reached a definitive agreement with mobile operator EE to acquire it for £12.5bn.

9. Cisco’s software-defined networking business booms

Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure customer base doubled in three months as its software-defined networking model gained traction.

10. Nokia buys Alcatel-Lucent

Networking suppliers Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent hooked up in an £11.2bn deal with grand aims when it comes to network innovation.