Networking and communication

NHSX reveals full details of UK Covid-19 contact-tracing strategy

National Health Service’s digital innovation unit aims to allay fears over privacy and confidentiality in forthcoming contract-tracing app Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European fibre roll-outs speed up

European fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-building coverage maintains a positive growth trend, with subscribers increasing by 15% since September 2018 Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: RAF flies in for UK contact tracing app test

NHS announces test at air base of app designed to alert users of the close proximity of those carrying or having symptoms of Covid-19 Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Public authorities set to receive expanded surveillance powers

UK government wants to extend the number of public authorities able to obtain communications data using mass surveillance Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

5,400% growth forecast for enterprises using WhatsApp Business APIs

Unprecedented and extraordinary growth forecast for business version of WhatsApp, with growth from just 992 to 55,000 users expected over the next five years Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

ABB Power plugs into Ericsson 5G tech to increase factory productivity

Ericsson gears up for the post-coronavirus world with confidence in 5G and reveals project for its 5G-ready Industry Connect with global leader in power technology Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Zoom to roll out fresh cyber security updates

New features include support for advanced AES 256-bit encryption Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Coronavirus: Surge in Wi-Fi upload traffic shows need for advanced Wi-Fi adoption

Prolonged home working will see home networks, based on older Wi-Fi technologies rather than the likes of Wi-Fi 6, put under intolerable strain, warns analyst Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Cisco, Google Cloud plan application-centric multicloud networking fabric

Tech giants unite to address current systems’ perceived lack of capability to signal service level requests dynamically and offer full WAN application integration with cloud workloads Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Application performance for remote workers becomes primary network issue for businesses

When it comes to WAN, cost diminishes in importance, while dealing with complexity increases, as more firms spread reach to more locations Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: German networks take the extra strain from social distancing

Network performance and customer experience monitoring firm finds German networks coping with masses of online home users despite some degradations since the start of social distancing and stay-at-home policies Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

How DBS is reaping the dividends of digital transformation

At DBS Bank, the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak has demonstrated the value of technology and the investments it made over the past decade to modernise its technology stack Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Covid-19 outbreak sees first-quarter revenues flatten for Huawei

Chinese networking mega-firm endures tough first quarter, but pledges that it will ride out the coronavirus storm Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Collaboration and communications get richer as Covid-19 ushers in new working reality

Covid-19 lockdowns bring about collective rethink in the way we work, with remote video becoming normalised and a potential change in the way effectiveness is measured Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

NCSC launches coronavirus cyber security campaign

The National Cyber Security Centre has launched a reporting service for scam emails as part of a campaign to help people protect themselves from cyber criminals exploiting the pandemic Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How ISPs and operators ensure network quality in a pandemic

COVID-19 has caused a spike in remote workers, increased internet usage and traffic surges. Here's how ISPs and telecom operators plan for continuity and quality during the pandemic. Continue Reading

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• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

INCA: UK gigabit broadband progress more important than ever

Trade body for independent network providers calls for progress toward the delivery of ultrafast broadband to all parts of the UK to continue despite the current Covid-19 lockdown conditions Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Zoom and WebEx users targeted by credential stealing attempts

Videoconferencing apps such as Zoom and Cisco’s WebEx are being targeted by cyber criminals trying to steal users’ personal data Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 54

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna talk about the likely legacy of lockdown for working lives, the mental health impact of the public health crisis, and how data scientists are looking to help by identifying signals of economic recovery. Continue Reading

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• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK
• Clare McDonald, Business Editor
• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

Ada Lovelace Institute questions effectiveness of UK contact-tracing strategy

Independent study institute for user-focused data and AI solutions argues that NHS Covid-19 tracking plans will not be effective unless action is taken to address technical limitations Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CIO interview: Jason Oliver, IT director, University of Sussex

Imagine taking a year to formulate a digital transformation plan – then having to implement much of it in two weeks when the coronavirus hit. For the Sussex University IT chief, there’s even more to do now Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Ofcom publishes technical data debunking 5G links to Covid-19

Ofcom makes latest response to the unfounded and dangerous fake news suggesting links between 5G networks and coronavirus Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Will 5G turn Langkawi into world’s first smart island?

Malaysia telco TM is set to transform Malaysia’s Langkawi archipelago with a 5G testbed that will pave the way for 5G services across the country Continue Reading

CW ANZ: Trend Watch on communications infrastructure

In this handbook, Computer Weekly looks at how Australia’s bushfires impacted its telecoms networks and the increase in SD-WAN adoption in Asia-Pacific Continue Reading

Cloud and 5G to drive SD-WAN adoption in APAC, says Silver Peak

Cloud migration and 5G services will boost the uptake of SD-WAN in a region where some markets are still in the early adopter phase Continue Reading

Australian wildfires take toll on telco networks

Major telco networks in Australia were disrupted by power cuts resulting from devastating bushfires, raising questions about the resilience of the country’s communications infrastructure Continue Reading

Fifth of UK small businesses concerned about prolonged remote working

Small firms find the potential prospect of indefinite working from home a major challenge to future business Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Big hit to European 5G as smartphone industry set for sharpest falls in 20 years

Screeching halt to telecoms money truck predicted for 2020 as Covid-19 outbreak impacts phone production and 5G roll-out Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Verizon Business zooms in to acquire conferencing company BlueJeans

With conferencing and collaboration rocketing due to the Covid-19 outbreak and no real end in sight to the increased usage, Verizon swoops in to acquire conference applications provider BlueJeans Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

What if we find we rather like this working from home thing?

Sometimes it takes a major economic shock to change the accepted wisdom of economics and work – our working life after the coronavirus crisis might be very different Continue Reading

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• Tim Worstall, Adam Smith Institute

EU warns no compromise on privacy as NHS clashes with tech firms on contact tracing

EU and UK regulators express data privacy concerns days after Silicon Valley giants announce collaboration on contact-tracing apps to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Telcos in developed markets to lose more than $40bn

Big increases in unemployment will see a 3.4% decline in telecoms revenue this year, with the negative impact to persist for the next 12 months, says analyst Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Nuage Networks declares SD-WAN first for desktop, mobile and IoT devices

Nokia subsidiary integrates Asavie SD Edge to allow enterprise IT managers to extend security policies beyond branch to mobile users and connected devices Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus shines spotlight on mobile connectivity

Mobile operators in Asia-Pacific are playing their part in the fight against Covid-19, even as some of them are facing roadblocks in rolling out 5G networks Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Orange expands mesh Wi-Fi into Belgium, reinforces marine service capabilities

SoftAtHome’s mesh Wi-Fi now available for Orange Belgium customers while Orange ship begins undersea cabling survey work off coast of Sicily Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

BT inks Ericsson 5G supply deal but delays schedule to replace Huawei kit

UK telco engages Swedish tech firm to deploy cloud-native dual-mode 5G core, but rows back on deadline to remove all Huawei technology from mobile core by end of year Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Standard Chartered bans employees from Zoom

Standard Chartered is the first bank to have instructed its staff to refrain from using Zoom Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Managed services rev up revenues for SD-WAN in fourth quarter of 2019

Analyst Omdia highlights the steady transition in 2019 from hardware-based to software-defined networking and predicts good times despite Covid-19 Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Researcher finds security vulnerability in Slack

Some common assumptions about the security of cloud-based messaging platform Slack may not be entirely accurate, says an Alien Labs researcher Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Samsung claims 4.3Gbps 5G speed breakthrough

Korean tech giant’s latest lab demonstration uses MU-MIMO technology to showcase 5G’s potentially vast capacity, new radio, NR, 28GHz access unit Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Apple and Google unite for contact tracing technology

Silicon Valley giants announce collaboration to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: More than two-fifths of employees likely to continue remote working after pandemic

Research firm Gartner offers guide to managing remote workers during Covid-19 pandemic as new normal for work emerges Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Three changes to office work post-coronavirus

While it’s early days, experts believe the coronavirus pandemic could change working practices. We investigate Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

WHO wades into UK fake 5G Covid-19 links row as regulator probes leading broadcaster

World Health Organization publishes myth-buster guide to Covid-19 as Ofcom investigates remarks made on leading ITV programme casting doubt on media proof of fake news Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: European network traffic curves flatten but security issues increase

Nokia research finds networks are taking the strain despite a huge increase in upstream traffic during the day from videoconferencing and downstream during weekends from video-on-demand Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Australian firms soldier on amid Covid-19 outbreak

From the largest financial institutions to small companies, Aussie firms have been dialling up their use of technology tools to keep their businesses humming during the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Withers

Apple and Netflix most imitated brands in phishing attacks

A new report highlights the brands which are being most frequently spoofed by cyber criminals in phishing attacks Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Coronavirus: Zoom user credentials for sale on dark web

IntSight researchers say they have found a database containing thousands of Zoom usernames and passwords being sold on the dark web Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK altnets increase full-fibre coverage by 50%

Independent network providers notch up notable year in 2019 as fibre access for all becomes political hot potato Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus puts brakes on 5G core deployments

Research firm identifies short- and long-term impacts that global pandemic will have on 5G core and edge networks Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Evolution of cellular 5G backhaul architecture faces challenges

Backhaul has become trendy again and for good reason. 5G backhaul architecture means network architects will have to reconsider how their networks can handle 1 Gbps speeds. Continue Reading

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• Lee Badman

How Singapore’s Niometrics is changing network analytics

By extracting granular data and emphasising privacy protection, Niometrics’ network analytics technology is being put through its paces in a variety of use cases Continue Reading

Coronavirus: Warning over surge in Zoom security incidents

Check Point researchers have observed a surge in suspicious Zoom domains as cyber criminals target popular remote working and collaboration tools Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How Wi-Fi experts can help during times of crisis management

When faced with disaster response, wireless network professionals can volunteer their Wi-Fi skills and advise friends and family about home network security. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Badman

I’m a celebrity...Let me monger fear!

We’ve all been in Amanda Holden’s shoes. One minute, someone’s sending you a petition explicitly linking 5G to Covid-19; the next, you’re accidentally sharing it with 1.9 million Twitter followers. ... Continue Reading

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• Ryan Priest

Omdia: New norm for working set to have ‘dramatic’ implications for collaboration industry

Analyst recalibrates expectations for collaboration and conferencing tools, forecasting transformational upsurge in use that could change the world of work, with home broadband being a business lifeblood Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Zoom restricted or banned at multiple organisations

Use of videoconferencing tool has been banned at Google and in parts of the German and US governments Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Software-based routing on its way to become the new normal

SD-WAN took the networking world by storm, and software-based routing aims to do the same in the router market. Here's what to expect from the move to software. Continue Reading

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• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Cato Networks seals significant investment to take SASE forward

More validation for secure access service edge solutions as SD-WAN provider scoops cash injection Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Vodafone taps VMware to complete European roll-out of network virtual infrastructure

Operator taps virtual infrastructure firm to add last piece of pan-European digital infrastructure architecture and gain agility and flexibility Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Mobile operator community and academics use smartphone power to fight Covid-19

Vodafone Foundation and scientists at Imperial College London are using a smartphone app to aid coronavirus research Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Australian open source project to expand global reach

Data61’s open source seL4 microkernel project will be supported by a new foundation created under the auspices of the Linux Foundation Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Samsung, AWS claim world’s first mission-critical comms video call

MCPTX solution powered by leading cloud platform said to enable first responders to accurately assess vital moments using voice, data and video calls Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Cellwize aims for 5G network efficiency high note with Chime

Cloud-based open RAN automation platform claimed to bring required flexibility and speed to accelerate 5G networks development Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Home business opportunity knocks for consumer IoT suppliers

Internet-of-things manufacturers see a huge new market opening up from the millions of new enterprise customers working from home Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

SNMP vs. CMIP: What's the difference?

While SNMP and CMIP originally competed as network management protocols in the 1980s, SNMP has emerged as the more relevant protocol, largely due to its simplicity. Continue Reading

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• David Jacobs, The Jacobs Group

Coronavirus: Criminals using Zoom installer to spread cryptominer

Videoconferencing application targeted to deliver cryptomining malware to unsuspecting victims Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Covid-19 to hamper short-term growth but mobility-as-a-service to rebound in 2021

Despite expected restricted growth this year of platforms that integrate different transport services – including buses, taxis, rail and metro – into a single app, a dramatic return for MaaS is expected in the six years to 2027 Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Soaring collaboration app uptake sees home workers clock on for longer hours

Number of people online during working day more than doubles since end of January and growth in demand for business apps reaches record levels, fuelled by conferencing applications Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

BCS calls for IT recognition in coronavirus response

Campaign launched by BCS aims to recognise the importance of IT staff in keeping UK workers connected during the coronavirus crisis Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

How free Wi-Fi hotspots help in emergency response situations

Emergency and disaster response require teamwork among businesses, governments and community groups. In these times, free Wi-Fi hotspots help people feel connected. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Badman

Liverpool top of the league for mobile business usage in UK

Merseyside rated as the sweetest of sweet spots for business wireless connectivity Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Celebrate IT Heroes

While questions are being asked of the government over its coronavirus exit strategy, one thing is clear: large parts of the UK workforce are able to work remotely, thanks to the efforts of IT ... Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

UK government, mobile trade association, operators slam attacks on UK 5G masts

Criminal damage to phone masts and abuse of telecoms engineers condemned as the product of “crackpot” online conspiracy theories Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Wireless industry hails FCC spectrum announcement as game changer for Wi-Fi 6

Proposed opening of the 6GHz band to Wi-Fi 6 technology in US set to provide more capacity than all other current Wi-Fi bands put together Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Google data shows high interest in security and remote working

An analysis of the most Googled technology terms during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the scale of the cyber security challenge presented by the crisis Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Coronavirus: Video calling, collaboration applications usage rise steeply in UK homes

A survey from EY finds Covid-19 outbreak is already causing a shift in UK households’ digital activity, with many people trying online services for the first time, and video calling at the forefront of applications Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: What does the ‘new normal’ mean for how we work?

Examining the long-term impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on the world of work, security, privacy and networks Continue Reading

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• Cate Pye, PA Consulting

Coronavirus: Vodafone confident of staying on the line

The coronavirus outbreak has caused the UK’s pattern of working behaviours to change completely – and network operators are confident they can cope Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Transatel takes global connected vehicle platform on the road

NTT subsidiary offers eSIM-capable, cellular technology for global IoT connectivity with Internet of Vehicles system designed to solve vehicle manufacturers’ greatest challenges Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

How ‘servitisation’ is shaping the semiconductor industry

This is a guest post by Kelvin Lim, chief operating officer of Innovative Global Solutions & Services 2020 was supposed to be the year for rapid transformation in the global semiconductor ... Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Coronavirus: Is Zoom safe and should security teams ban it?

Zoom’s rapid rise to prominence has highlighted a score of security problems with the service. Should CISOs try to steer their organisations away from it, or ban it outright? Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Coronavirus: Standardisation delays threaten long-term enterprise 5G

Covid-19 outbreak could see delays in essential technology roll-out, leading to the 5G industry missing out on up to 10% of total revenues, says research firm Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Ofcom relaxes ISPs’ broadband obligations

UK comms regulator loosens operating guidelines on broadband operators to prevent driving additional traffic to call centres and not punish inability to meet repair targets Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Australian broadband providers team up to meet network demand

NBN Co and five retail service providers have formed a working group to manage congestion and take steps to address the surge in demand for broadband connectivity amid the Covid-19 outbreak Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Security, network services top enterprise challenges for deploying UCaaS, CCaaS

Research finds ongoing challenges in deploying unified-communications-as-a-service and contact-centre-as-a-service firms also preferring bundled network solutions from a single provider Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

HPE unveils open source software to reduce 5G complexity

Open distributed infrastructure management software launched to resolve complexity that telcos face in rolling out 5G networks across thousands of sites equipped with multiple suppliers’ IT infrastructures Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CDN and cloud suppliers join routing security initiative

Akamai and Amazon Web Services are among a group of cloud and content delivery network providers to participate in a global initiative to address the security threats to internet routing systems Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Nokia launches AI-based operations to help telcos enter the 5G era

Cognitive operations designed to help comms service providers transform their network, service and business operations through extreme automation enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

How IT leaders and their teams are supporting employees through the coronavirus crisis

We talk to four top IT chiefs across the UK to find out how their teams are supporting their organisations and staff to keep working through the Covid-19 outbreak Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Huawei extols 2019 as ‘extraordinary’ year

Despite political challenges across the world restricting use of its technology, Chinese comms tech giant posts strong yearly increase in sales and profit Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Too late to protect online privacy, say Brits

Most UK consumers are concerned about data privacy, but think it’s too late to do much about it, according to a report Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Coronavirus: Teleworking drives new application usage growth for Comcast

Largest network operator in US issues assurance that huge shift in usage patterns and extra demands on home networks are well within infrastructure’s capability Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

O2 to launch UK’s first 5G accelerators in three West Midlands cities

Consortium led by Telefónica UK Deloitte, Wayra and Digital Catapult to build 5G accelerators in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Can the internet take the strain?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as millions of people work from home, we examine the measures in place to make sure the internet stays up and running. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at the best practice in application modernisation. And we find out how IT leaders are tackling the skills shortage to recruit the best tech talent. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Coronavirus: Internet capable of taking the strain but service prioritisation key

With networks offering assurances they can cope with the millions of added users working from home, experts suggest that strict management of applications and services will be pivotal. Continue Reading

SK Telecom celebrates 5G first birthday with almost half of local market

Since launching the world’s first 5G service on 3 April 2019, the Korean operator continues to maintain its leadership in the local mobile market Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Fujitsu unveils Japan’s first commercial private 5G network

Successful verification under provisional licence opens path to commercial launch for private 5G network for Japanese tech giant Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: internet providers enhance support for customers, end data caps

Supporting the UK’s government efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and support home working, UK network operators agree a wide range of supportive measures Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CityFibre completes FibreNation acquisition

Official go-ahead for buyout which takes former altnet into mainstream status as the UK’s third largest national digital infrastructure and fibre operator Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly