Networking and communication

Apple Business Chat powers Npower’s smart meter switch

Energy supplier is using Apple Business Chat to help users through the process of switching onto new smart gas and electricity meters Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Cisco CEO brushes off Brexit and other crises

Chuck Robbins has been speaking about the networking business’ resilience in the face of multiple geopolitical trends and crises, and says his customers just can’t stop spending Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

GE Digital addendum

The term “digital” is only referenced twice, in the 87 minutes of GE’s Q4 2018 earnings call that took place at the end of January. In a transcript of the call, posted on the Seeking Alpha ... Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

London and Helsinki digital partnership challenges big IT platforms

CDOs of London and Helsinki meet at London’s City Hall to sign a city-to-city digital declaration around AI, open data and digital innovation Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

What does the 802.11ax wireless standard mean for your network?

The publication of the 802.11ax standard will pave the way for the next generation of wireless technology, but what does it mean for enterprise networks? Continue Reading

Lauri Love takes legal action against NCA for return of seized computers

Lauri Love, a former engineering student who won a battle with the US Department of Justice against extradition to the US to face hacking charges, is suing the UK's intelligence agency, the NCA, for the return of his seized computers Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Vodafone announces winners of Techstarter accelerator

Vodafone has announced the winners of its startup accelerator programme, aimed at helping young companies developing technology for social good Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Pure Storage AIRI

AIRI is a preconfigured hardware stack for data-intensive analytics. It combines Pure Storage's all-flash FlashBlade and Nvidia Tesla-based DGX supercomputers. Continue Reading

By

• Garry Kranz

Brexit is killing full-fibre broadband and 5G roll-outs, says CBI

A CBI report has warned that Brexit is “sucking the oxygen” out of digital priorities such as full-fibre broadband roll-out and 5G mobile network deployment Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nordic region primed to pioneer 5G

The Nordic region could pioneer the commercial use of 5G, with Finland and Sweden hotbeds for the technology Continue Reading

By

• Jane Hamrin

Government legislates to bring back roaming charges in no-deal Brexit

All four UK operators have said they have no plans to reintroduce roaming charges, but EE, O2 and Vodafone have not committed themselves not to do so Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CW Benelux: Google helps Dutch schools to teach computer skills

A programme in the Netherlands to help primary schools provide computational thinking and programming, developed with financial support from Google, is well on schedule. Also read about four Russians’ attempted hack into the networks of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, and how Dutch delivery company PostNL is making savings by using robotic technology to automate administrative tasks. Continue Reading

What are the SD-WAN requirements for a multicloud environment?

SD-WAN is becoming an important option for businesses migrating branch and other edge communications to the cloud. But what makes a successful deployment? Continue Reading

By

• Christian Annesley

Self-driving cars get updated guidelines for trial safety and transparency

The Department for Transport has issued guidance on trial safety and transparency for self-driving cars, and is sticking by its pledge to have self-driving cars on Britain’s roads in the next two years Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Huawei: We are not spying on the UK

Huawei’s Ryan Ding tells the British government that the company has never, and will never, use its technology to assist the Chinese intelligence services Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Virgin Media tests 8Gbps home broadband service

Fifty residents of Papworth, Cambridgeshire, are trialling an 8Gbps FTTP broadband service using existing fibre infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Suffolk County Council awards 20-year WAN contract

MLL Telecom will work with CityFibre to extend Suffolk County Council’s existing WAN to 600 sites and offer them ultrafast connectivity services Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Coders and developers: The new heroes of the network?

Cisco is moving towards a software-based future. We chatted to Susie Wee, founder and leader of Cisco developer and innovation programme, DevNet, to find out how she is helping to enable this change Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The nightmare driving test: How to make sure self-driving cars are safe

Simulating realistic environments using deep learning to enable self-driving cars to learn the rules of the road will prove more useful than any amount of real-world practice. We find out why, and meet the people doing something about it Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Civil liberties groups to challenge bulk surveillance and intelligence sharing in Strasbourg

Coalition of campaigning groups wins the right to challenge the UK’s use of bulk surveillance powers, which allows suspicionless surveillance of the population and sharing of intercepted data with overseas intelligence agencies, in European Court of Human Rights Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload - Episode 2

In this week’s episode of Computer Weekly’s Downtime Upload podcast, the team discuss what went on at Cisco Live Europe, consider the benefits of office robots, and deep dive into the financial results of AWS, SAP and Microsoft Continue Reading

By

• Computer Weekly Staff

Cambridge launches urban data IoT project

The city of Cambridge will use Telensa IoT sensors and a Microsoft Azure platform to better manage its urban data assets Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

New audiovisual connections enhance the learning experience

Being open and inclusive to individual sensory needs as well as diverse technology choices means adopting a flexible approach to AV infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Rob Bamforth, Timefort

Compute strategies for AI applications

Devising compute strategies for AI applications can be challenging. Find out about the hardware, network and software frameworks available Continue Reading

By

• Chirag Dekate and Arun Chandrasekaran

Innocent people arrested following surveillance blunders, IPCO reveals

Interception of communications commissioner Adrian Fulford warns of “grave” repercussions for people wrongly identified as suspects due to errors made when government bodies access email, phone and telephone data Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Digital Britain Needs You

BT has announced plans to train another 3,000 apprentices  on top of 3,500 engineers, including apprentices, hired last year. The announcement included an update on BT’s plans for new and upgraded ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

Building Britain’s national digital twin

The tech sector and wider industry are coming together to create a “digital twin” of Britain to help improve the nation’s physical infrastructure – and you can help Continue Reading

By

• Julian David, TechUK

BT stockpiles networking kit for no-deal Brexit as Patterson exits

Outgoing BT boss Gavin Patterson shared some details on the company’s contingency planning for a feared no-deal Brexit as chief executive Philip Jansen formally takes charge of the business Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Malaysia mulls over Huawei’s role in 5G networks

Malaysia has become the latest country to look into the security concerns surrounding Huawei, which has been accused by mostly western powers of conducting corporate espionage and potentially ... Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Cisco Live Europe: Intent-based networking meets the IoT head-on

Networking and communications technology supplier Cisco plans to bring intent-based networking techniques to bear on the internet of things Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How Airbus handles IoT network traffic in manufacturing

The internet of things is set to power the fourth industrial revolution, providing data to optimise manufacturing. Airbus is starting to put sensors in aircraft assembly Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Automation potential outweighs SDN deployment risks

SDN deployment varies among service providers and enterprises due to risks, costs and use cases. But, when it comes to SD-WAN, both groups appear to agree about the potential. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Audiovisual systems need more efficient integration and management

The spread of audiovisual systems for communication and collaboration needs to be supported in a similar manner to corporate IT, not facilities management Continue Reading

By

• Rob Bamforth, Timefort

Unconfigured IoT is a security risk, warns researcher

Internet of things researcher says unconfigured internet-connected devices are a largely unrecognised cyber security risk to businesses and consumers, and welcomes the increased likelihood of UK IoT legislation Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cisco, the developer company, right?

You know Cisco, that networking company that makes hardware for deep internal systems and spends all its time developing switches, routers, hubs and token ring adapters and suchlike, right? No, ... Continue Reading

By

• Adrian Bridgwater

How digital indoor systems can bolster ASEAN’s 5G networks

Digital indoor systems, already being used at airports and subway systems, will help telcos monetise new digital services on 5G networks Continue Reading

By

• Quah Mei Lee

Cisco breaks out of physical datacentres to support app-based future

At Cisco Live Europe, extending datacentre capabilities beyond the confines of the physical site to enable app innovation formed the core of a swathe of announcements made by the networking kingpin Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Brexit won’t curb IT spending

Analyst Gartner expects organisations to carry on buying more IT to support digitisation initiatives Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Openreach to recruit 3,000 apprentices to support UK-wide full-fibre network deployment

New recruits from “all walks of life” will be trained at one of 12 educational facilities Openreach is set to open across the country Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Vodafone suspends use of Huawei hardware

Vodafone’s UK CEO has said the operator will ‘pause’ its use of Huawei hardware for the foreseeable future Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Chinese government grants BT new powers

Enhanced operating licences improve telco’s ability to work with customers in China Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

IoT application vulnerabilities leave devices open to attack

Barracuda Networks calls for internet of things devices to be subject to regular security review after researchers detail the application vulnerabilities of an internet-connected security camera Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

MPs challenge Huawei over spying allegations

The chair of the cross-bench Science and Technology Committee has written to Huawei seeking answers over its activities in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Vodafone and O2 will ‘share’ 5G networks

Vodafone and O2 have agreed non-binding heads of terms that will extend their 4G network-sharing agreement to 5G when it becomes available Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

XL Axiata teams up with Tibco in data science initiative

The Indonesia telco’s data scientists will be provided with data science tools from Tibco to uncover customer insights and improve network planning, among other goals Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

SD-branch begins to prove itself with growing deployments

Enterprises are beginning to deploy SD-branch and are seeing positive results, pointing to the possibility that the software-defined branch will become the norm for branch networking. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Digital Catapult explores LPWAN and IoT for industry

A Connected Factory Demonstrator managed by the Digital Catapult is seeking input from LPWAN and internet of things specialists Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Scottish Police Authority awards £21m mobile services deal to EE

EE will oversee a three-year deal to transform police mobile capabilities in Scotland, alongside Motorola Solutions, Samsung and BlackBerry Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Broadband divide persists across the UK, says Which?

Latest statistics from Which? show the UK’s broadband divide persists, with many areas still missing out on high-speed services despite industry tub-thumping Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Moving beyond network boundaries

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at how businesses are adapting to the challenges of perimeterless network security. We examine how digital transformation is bringing increased complications for identity and access management (IAM). And we ask if public cloud providers are becoming a threat to the funding model for open source software. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

The pitfalls of multicloud network management

Migrating to and managing a multicloud network introduces new complexities into the network. We look at how to avoid the potential pitfalls Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

Thailand pushes for Industry 4.0 in ASEAN

Nearly half of the kingdom’s deliverables as chair of ASEAN will be focused on spurring Industry 4.0 developments across the region Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Siemens connects to world’s largest UCC deployment

German technology powerhouse Siemens AG reveals how it unified communications and collaboration for hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

HPE opens Geneva IoT innovation lab to capitalise on edge data

Datacentre equipment provider sees an opportunity on the edge to provide data processing for the internet of things Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

CW ASEAN: Dive into microservices

Microservices has become a buzzword linked with digital transformation, but it is no magic bullet for development woes. In this edition of CW ASEAN, we uncover the state of adoption of microservices in ASEAN and what needs to be in place for enterprises to get the most out of the technology. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Vodafone and IBM prep user clouds for future network tech

Companies expand existing collaboration to enable enterprise customers to prepare for the impact of advanced networking technologies Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Dutch pharma firm Centrient switches out MPLS for Cato SD-WAN

Centrient Pharmaceuticals, a Netherlands-based drug company, has switched out its global MPLS service in favour of a high-performance software-defined WAN from Cato Networks Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Network shaping: How does it enable BGP attacks to divert data?

The use of BGPsec protocols was found after looking into threat actors in China that controlled U.S. internet traffic. Discover how this technique works and how it can be mitigated. Continue Reading

By

• Judith Myerson

O2 powers customer-centric network with Nokia AI

Mobile operator O2 claims Nokia’s AI-driven Service Operation Center platform will help it anticipate its customers’ problems before they know they have problems Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

NHS plans for a digital future

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the NHS Long-Term Plan and examine how it intends to transform UK healthcare for a digital age over the next 10 years. We analyse the latest chip developments from Intel and AMD to see what will change in the datacentre in 2019. And we ask the experts if cloud giant Amazon Web Services can continue its impressive growth trajectory. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Less than half of firms able to detect IoT breaches, study shows

UK firms have one of the lowest internet-of-things device breach detection capabilities in Europe, a study reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

5G, cloud embolden network outsourcing and ultimate virtualization

Could the cloud, 5G, small cell technology, BYOD and carrier-provisioned networks completely virtualize network infrastructure? Well, maybe not today. Continue Reading

By

• Craig Mathias

Mobile and broadband markets fail digitally excluded groups

Financially vulnerable people, disabled and mentally ill people and elderly people all face significant challenges in accessing appropriate communications services, according to a new Ofcom report Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security without borders

Perimeterless security offers a way to secure each point of connectivity and every device, rather than relying on perimeter protection Continue Reading

By

• Stuart Burns

Australia’s Optus dials into 5G

Australia’s second largest telco Optus makes the country’s first 5G data call, paving the way for a fixed wireless service by the first half of 2019 Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Singapore companies gearing up for hybrid cloud

Traditional datacentres are making way for hybrid cloud adoption among Singapore companies, a study finds Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

What is a software-defined perimeter, and do I need it?

An evolving network world requires evolving network security. Learn how software-defined perimeter offers a compelling answer to network vulnerabilities. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

RSC and Science Museum to lead future audience AR/VR demos

Organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum will take part in a series of government-backed demonstrators creating immersive experiences for audiences of the future Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Are You Fully Automated?

One common theme with recent product tests and vendor briefings and that is - automation. Not that there's anything new here per se; back in the mid-90s I remember working on an extensive project ... Continue Reading

By

• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

Roadside 4G mobile signal availability improves across UK

4G mobile network coverage along the UK’s motorways has seen substantial improvement, with Greater Manchester’s urban M60 having 100% availability and the Birmingham to Carlisle M6 seeing the greatest growth in coverage Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Smart Dubai platform is the backbone of the city's transformation

 Continue Reading

Fife Council upgrades WAN to offer ultrafast broadband services

Public sector sites across Fife in Scotland are to receive a transformational upgrade to their broadband speeds Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

BT faces tussle to keep EU contracts after Brexit

The European Union will likely re-evaluate its telecoms contracts with BT following Brexit, and cancelling them altogether is a real risk in a no-deal scenario, according to leaked documents Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Intel readies 10nm chips for AI, 5G and a new PC platform

During CES, Intel revealed how it would address the market opportunity in 5G and support AI inference Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

CES 2019: Here plugs Alexa into in-car navigation service

Here, the former Nokia mapping unit now owned by a consortium of German carmakers, is to integrate Amazon Alexa with its navigation and location services Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Expanding the boundaries of the digital workplace

We look at the steps enterprises can take to implement a secure perimeterless digital workplace. Continue Reading

Technology innovation in music

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we visit the first hackathon at Abbey Road Studios, once home to The Beatles, to find out how tech startups hope to revolutionise music creation. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the technologies and benefits of perimeterless network security. And we look ahead to the key CIO skills and jobs trends for 2019. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Yes. All homes WILL need gigabit broadband speeds!

As the UK's full-fibre broadband roll-out gathers pace through 2018 and into 2019, many people continue to believe gigabit services are unnecessary overkill. CityFibre's Caroline Hughes reckons ... Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

First 5G smartphones may have massive price premium

Android smartphone brands are already preparing to launch their first 5G handsets, but new technical requirements means they won’t be cheap to build, according to analysts at TrendForce Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Equinix to open fourth Singapore datacentre in 2019

The latest investment by Equinix in Singapore comes as datacentre operators look to fill vacant real estate arising from intense market competition between 2017 and 2018 Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

BlackBerry licenses security tech to IoT device makers

BlackBerry is to license its secure software development technology to the makers of internet-connected devices to boost IoT security Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

SD-WAN features lacking, but offer differentiation opportunity

Most available SD-WAN products focus on a few main features, which risks making SD-WAN a commodity offering. But vendors are starting to combat that with feature differentiation. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Visual collaboration needs more than just pixels and pointers

The merging of audio-visual and information technologies presents new opportunities for collaboration and data sharing Continue Reading

By

• Rob Bamforth, Timefort

Expanding the boundaries of the digital workplace

We look at the steps enterprises can take to implement a secure perimeterless digital workplace Continue Reading

By

• Manjunath Bhat

Huawei debuts Arm-based chip, eyes broader server market

Huawei’s Kunpeng 920 processor is geared towards big data and infrastructure applications, marking its foray into Arm-based servers that are set to change the dynamics of the datacentre market Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Guide dogs not fazed by self-driving robots

Robotics startup Starship Technologies and charity Guide Dogs are collaborating on a series of tests exploring how service animals interact with robots Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

SMEs urged to get on board with Network Services 2 framework

Suppliers have until the end of January 2019 to sign up to the new government network services purchasing framework Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Huawei aims to be more resilient in 2019 amid challenges

Huawei’s rotating chairman Guo Ping outlines the firm’s priorities to optimise its product portfolio, empower employees and build a more resilient business structure Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

What are the top benefits of CDN services for enterprises?

You might be asking yourself, 'Do I need a CDN?' According to one network analyst, the answer is most likely yes, as CDNs provide faster access to internet content. Continue Reading

By

• Dan Conde

Which KPIs should I measure for security in SDN?

KPIs provide useful guidelines to measure how network performance and security align with business objectives. Here are some KPIs to help keep track of an SDN environment. Continue Reading

By

• John Burke, Nemertes Research

Can we live without passwords?

Can you imagine a future in which we can be secure online without having to remember an unwieldly list of passwords? Solutions are emerging that could make passwords redundant, but there will be other security problems to resolve Continue Reading

By

• Bruno Halopeau & Adrien Ogee

Top 10 network stories of 2018

2018 was the year when software-defined networking, and more specifically software-defined WANs, took centre stage. We look back at a transformative year for the world of the network manager Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Addressing the shortages of construction skills that threaten Broadband Roll-out

Problems with quality, not just quantity threaten to derail full fibre roll out as they did cable TV roll out 25 years ago. Over the past couple of years broadband roll-out projects (BT, Virgin, ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

Top 10 mobile stories of 2018

As 5G moves from theory to practical reality, we look back at Computer Weekly’s biggest mobile stories from the past 12 months Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

6 emerging trends in wireless networking technology for 2019

In 2019, expect to see some interesting trends in wireless networking technology, including a surge in millimeter waves, the budding potential for end-to-end network analytics and, of course, the ongoing development of 5G services. Continue Reading

By

• Craig Mathias

CW ANZ: Rise to cloud and data management challenges

Use of cloud services is soaring in Australia, but a lack of cloud management skills is holding back enterprises from reaping the full benefits of the technology. In this edition of CW ANZ, we look at how enterprises in ANZ are approaching data management in the cloud, and some of the best practices that they can adopt to address cloud related challenges. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Top 10 Australia IT stories of 2018

Australia continues to cement its position as a leader in mastering and deploying advanced information and communications technology across a large segment of its economy Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

CMA acts on super-complaint over broadband, mobile charges

The Competition and Markets Authority is to crack down on communications services providers who ‘penalise’ loyal customers over new ones Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Lauri Love battles police for return of computers as NCA confirms live investigation

The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirms there is a live investigation into Lauri Love in the UK, as Love brings legal action against UK police for the return of seized computer equipment Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin & Julia Gregory

Top 10 broadband stories of 2018

The networking industry swung firmly behind full-fibre broadband in 2018, with encouraging signs that the gold-standard of broadband service delivery technology is at long last taking off in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor