Unified communications
Unified communications (UC) is an umbrella term for the integration of multiple enterprise communication tools -- such as voice calling, video conferencing, instant messaging (IM), presence and content sharing -- into a single, streamlined interface, with the goal of improving user experience (UX) and productivity.. See complete definition.
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News
14 Oct 2024
How Zoom is charting its course towards an AI-first platform
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan talks up his vision for the future of work, the company's transition to an AI-powered platform and what it is doing to stay ahead of rivals Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2024
Zoom expands AI Companion capabilities, adds customisation options
Zoom reveals major advancements in AI Companion, including customisation options, personalised avatars and integration across the entire Zoom workplace platform Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Sep 2021
Hybrid meetings, virtual whiteboards clash with outdated rooms
As companies look to integrate virtual whiteboard software into their conference rooms for hybrid meetings, they should start investing in meeting room hardware. Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2021
BT gifts small businesses £7.5m in street advertising as Street Hub 2.0 units go live
Local businesses in Kensington and Chelsea are given the chance to advertise for free via digital screens in Street Hub 2.0 units while research reveals over 60% of small firms say local advertising will boost awareness of their business Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2021
Zoom aims to ignite the next era of communications
Breakout conferencing and collaboration company shows range of innovations will enable businesses in the post-Covid era to embrace change, enable hybrid workforces and grow their businesses Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2021
Poor home connectivity risks jeopardising switch to hybrid working
CityFibre, Chartered Management Institute survey warns once-in-a-generation opportunity to change working practices for the better could be put at risk because of network issues Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2021
Zoom posts first billion-dollar revenue quarter
Pandemic conferencing breakout star sees revenues and subs maintain robust growth track in second quarter. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2021
Zoom plots path to hybrid return to the workplace
Pandemic’s breakout conferencing tool provider plans to support the new normal of hybrid working with systems recognising both remote and in-office work Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2021
Gartner survey shows 44% rise in workers’ use of collaboration tools since 2019
As the onset of a hybrid workforce becomes a reality for more firms, research shows massive spike in virtual meeting and collaboration tools since 2019, and stresses that digital workplace technologies will be essential for enabling innovation in the new normal Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2021
How to reconfigure for hybrid work
While many businesses are reopening offices, staff are reluctant to come to the office every work day. We look at how to support hybrid work patterns Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Aug 2021
First priorities for the third workplace
Almost 18 months since Covid-19 caused an almost overnight pivot to home working for many firms, hybrid working seems here to stay for knowledge workers. But the role of the 'third workspace' is not yet entirely clear Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2021
Need for strong internet connection keeps Brits indoors
Study from leading UK communications provider highlights that although a new normal is coming for a significant number of UK workers, so are new problems and the need to create a better work-life balance Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2021
Half of Gen-Z would leave job if not given a hybrid work option
Even though two-thirds of workers surveyed by workspace technology company say hybrid work benefits mental health and productivity, over half believe that their employers are not prepared to implement it Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2021
Virgin Media O2 unveils UK fibre upgrade plan
Newly merged operator announces FTTP upgrade of fixed network starting this year with completion in 2028, taking advantage of what it says is efficient fibre deployment with ‘value accretive roll-out economics’ Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2021
Profits, revenues fall but BT expands 5G, fibre in first quarter
UK incumbent telco sees profits and revenues fall, but increases capital investments in next-generation wireless and extends Microsoft strategic partnership Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2021
Some 15 million UK consumers suffered major broadband outage in past year
Study covering first full year of lockdown reveals how millions of home-workers and home-schoolers experienced internet outages when they would usually have been at their workplaces or in school Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Satellite and 5G firms announce ubiquitous UK communications trial
Space agencies and leading technology businesses test ubiquitous UK communications coverage for transportation market in region of south-west England notorious for poor communications Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jul 2021
Five ways to ensure remote working security and compliance
A mix of on-site and remote working has become a fact of life for many organisations. We look at five key things you should consider to ensure compliance and security Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2021
Zoom expands into contact centre market
Zoom is steadily expanding its enterprise offering and has now spent $14.5bn on an acquisition to fill a gap in its product portfolio Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2021
IoT at tipping point but multi-region connectivity, device deployment hinder UK adoption
Research from connectivity specialist finds three-quarters of UK respondents say their internet-of-things project is at best only somewhat successful in meeting expectations and realising benefits, but 91% still plan increased investment Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2021
Hybrid working model significantly affects helpdesk and support
SASE provider’s survey finds that the IT challenge with deployed remote access technology is failing to meet enterprise requirements, forcing support and helpdesk to compensate Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2021
Remote workers feel disconnected from company IT departments
As hybrid working becomes the norm, study advises that now is the time to invest in more robust technology to support remote workforces for the long term, and to fend off lingering feeling of resentment over lack of support Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2021
Incoherent technology investment saps motivation at mid-size businesses
Research suggests that mid-size businesses are falling into the trap of investing in technology for technology’s sake, rather than identifying what the business actually needs, with stress especially acute supporting remote working Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2021
Productivity apps here to stay as quarterly mobile app spending hits all-time high
Research from leading mobile data and analytics company App Annie finds $7bn jump in app spending year on year, suggesting the start of a global economic rebound Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
UK workers demand economic recovery to be built on better internet access
Cisco announces index of broadband services in the UK and reveals lead role in government’s levelling-up initiative designed to help close the digital divide Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2021
Majority of global knowledge workers will be remote by the end of 2021
Leading research firm predicts remote work will drive PC and tablet shipments to over 500 million units for the first time ever by the end of 2021 Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
Users’ network expectations change in new normal
Ciena study reveals how sustainability, connected industries and always-on connectivity are shaping the UK’s digital post-Covid landscape Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2021
Vodafone taps Ericsson to strengthen UK 5G core
Partners to deploy cloud-native dual-mode 5G core to bring the full promise of 5G services to business users Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2021
Telenor, Telia tap Nokia for 5G joint network roll-out in Denmark
Nokia to work with leading Danish mobile operators via their joint network to accelerate the delivery of 5G services across Denmark following the availability of 3.5GHz spectrum Continue Reading
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News
17 Jun 2021
Garden Court Chambers makes the case for communications transformation with UCaaS
Rapid transition from limited on-premise systems to cloud-based video conferencing and workstream collaboration sees leading London legal firm gain ‘frictionless’ digital workplace for a team-centric experience Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2021
Cisco unveils catalyst for 5G at industrial IoT edge
Communications and services giant enhances portfolio of internet of things routers to unite edge networks and scale IoT deployments in factory and production environments Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2021
Collaboration challenges loom but UK adults demand hybrid working
Analysis of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on attitudes to future working practices in the UK reveals that population wants more remote working despite technical hurdles Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2021
Evidence emerges of new digital divide in UK connectivity
Study shows extent to which online connectivity impacts quality of life but reveals that renters are nearly twice as likely to describe their connection as only average or unreliable, compared with home owners Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2021
Zoom aims to empower hybrid workforce with phone appliances
Video conferencing provider introduces devices that offer an all-in-one desk phone solution for calls and meetings, with hardware solutions from Poly and Yealink Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2021
Boom in hybrid working, high-speed connectivity drive influx into UK market towns
Network data from TalkTalk shows many UK employees are moving house as hybrid working transforms working habits and becomes very much here to stay Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2021
Cisco reveals new Webex to power ‘inclusive’ future of work
Collaboration suite has new look and feel, and supports hybrid work collaboration at what is claimed to be 40% lower cost than à-la-carte systems Continue Reading
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News
04 Jun 2021
Inclusivity and participation top issues for employees in new normal
Canva study reveals pressing need to bridge the hybrid workforce divide and for companies to adopt new technologies and processes to sustain employee happiness and productivity Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2021
Connectivity and flexibility deemed vital for the future of small businesses
Research from mobile operator Three UK uncovers post-Covid work job opportunities as hybrid working set to become the default for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2021
Zoom boom carries over into 2021
Breakout video conferencing firm’s current fiscal quarter revenues almost treble those posted at the end of April 2020 Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2021
Small business workers fear missing out on hybrid opportunity
Research finds three in five small business workers expect to be predominantly office-based after Covid-19 restrictions ease, due to high levels of admin and paper-based processes Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2021
Businesses hail new Openreach rural full-fibre focus
BT broadband provision division announces next step in gigabit broadband deployment programme to offer levelled-up connectivity for premises in hardest-to-reach parts of the UK Continue Reading
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Feature
28 May 2021
Revolutionising communication and collaboration for the hybrid world
As hybrid working looks set to become the norm in the post-Covid world, the lessons learned during lockdown will need to be applied. However, firms will have to overcome the limitations of current communication and collaboration tools Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2021
Edge computing drives business innovation
Intel research identifies edge computing as a critical factor that businesses must harness to navigate and understand data now and into the future Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2021
BSO draws on Arc to deliver on-demand connectivity in Middle East
Joint venture will interconnect companies’ network footprints in the Middle East, connecting digital hubs and providing inter-regional connectivity Continue Reading
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Feature
24 May 2021
Getting ready for the new normal of hybrid working
Many companies are preparing to return to offices for the first time since the UK’s first lockdown began, but the office environment will look very different to a year ago. With some workers looking forward to returning to the office and others preferring to stick to remote working, employers will have to accommodate differing needs and create an IT and networking infrastructure to do so Continue Reading
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News
21 May 2021
Zoom launches Events platform for virtual experiences
Breakout conferencing platform makes next evolutionary step with platform for producing and monetising interactive virtual events and conferences Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2021
Virgin Media, O2 merger gains final UK regulatory approval
Competition watchdog CMA removes last stumbling block and gives green light for what is being described as a watershed moment for the UK comms market Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2021
5G-enabled sales to surpass €400bn and offer huge green gains by 2030
Commissioned by global telco, study in five European geographies finds hugely positive socio-economic impact from 5G roll-out in terms of enabled sales, employment and reduced greenhouse gas emissions Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2021
Covid lockdowns dent Vodafone fiscal year
Revenues fall for fixed and wireless operator as mobile users obey stay-at-home orders but overall yearly service takings are described as stable, returning to growth in the second half Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2021
AT&T to focus on fibre, 5G after WarnerMedia merger with Discovery
Media mega-deal presents leading US operator with opportunity to unlock value and be one of the best capitalised broadband companies Continue Reading
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Feature
17 May 2021
The right tech choices for hybrid workers
Various studies give a mixed reaction to businesses returning to office work, but what is apparent is that support for remote working will continue Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2021
Employers rethinking office space, collaboration and technology in new hybrid workplace
As the pandemic eases, many business leaders are engaged with effectively offering remote working flexibility and are creating and communicating plans to their employees, setting expectations and guidelines moving forward Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2021
BT raises fibre broadband roll-out target despite challenging year
Impact of Covid-19 on consumer business combined with reduction in enterprise activity dents revenues and profits in a tough financial year, but UK telco promises significant growth in gigabit broadband roll-out Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2021
Cisco indicates intent to buy Socio Labs, Sedona Systems
Network giant aims to purchase developer of technology to deliver automation for routed optical networking, and modern event technology platform provider Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2021
UK digital leaders expect long-term changes to future working patterns
Research from digital infrastructure company reveals changing working patterns brought about by Covid-19, including a surge in digital infrastructure investment Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2021
New normal of remote, hybrid working sees two-thirds of European businesses increase IT spend
Remote IT support, cloud-based systems and cyber security infrastructure are among top IT investment priorities across all sectors as firms reassess priorities and practices in post-Covid working environment Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2021
Mildenhall claims digital communications upgrade first for East of England
Openreach focuses on Suffolk market town for the next step towards upgrading to digital services, with properties now unable to buy copper broadband if they are upgrading, regrading or switching provider Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2021
Brunel goes SD-WAN with Orange Business Services
Global specialist recruitment consultancy aims to accelerate time to market for new global offices with software-defined networking architecture Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2021
Ericsson, Telarus team to take 5G-ready virtual workspace to small businesses
5G-ready virtual desktop subscription service will cover business applications, compute, storage and security needs for small and medium-sized businesses Continue Reading
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News
05 May 2021
Deloitte: Widespread broadband infrastructure critical to the US economy
Deloitte study finds that increased broadband coverage, adoption and speed is needed to create more US jobs and GDP, but warns of diminishing returns due to lack of widespread, high-quality broadband access Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2021
Aryaka acquires cloud-based SASE platform Secucloud
SD-WAN provider makes its first-ever acquisition with purchase of German security company Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2021
JLL assures better office experience for hybrid workforce
Real estate and investment management professional services firm introduces collaboration suite designed to enhance employee connectivity, solidifying its suite of hybrid workplace offerings Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2021
Neos Networks launches business-grade Ethernet FTTx service across UK
Former SSE Enterprise Telecoms aims to provide a cost-effective, sub-1Gbps solution to support growing demand for full-fibre connectivity Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2021
Virgin Media innovation trials deliver 2.2Gbps broadband speeds
Latest stage in cableco’s trials of multi-gigabit broadband speeds in Southampton and Manchester deliver speeds around 40 times faster than the local average connection Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2021
EMEA business leaders out of touch with employees’ needs in new hybrid workplace
Research finds more alignment with staff is needed for firms to address the new hybrid world of work but nearly half of businesses plan tech investments to further improve the workplace experience Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2021
Zoom unveils $100m apps fund
After a blazing year fuelled by the pandemic, breakout conferencing solutions provider announces venture fund to stimulate innovation in the apps ecosystem Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2021
CityFibre switches on Milton Keynes to gigabit and names Edinburgh infrastructure lead
Gigabit provider City Fibre says it is enabling thousands more residents in Milton Keynes to access its full-fibre network and high-speed broadband services, and names Paul Wakefield as lead of infrastructure build in Edinburgh Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2021
Openreach selects STL as a strategic partner for full-fibre build-out
BT-owned broadband provision division teams with digital network integrator to hasten full-fibre network build and provide skills and innovation to extend reach and scope Continue Reading
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News
14 Apr 2021
UK employees’ adaptation to Covid workplace creates digital transformation dilemma
Research finds nearly two-fifths of UK employees fear the ‘old way’ of doing things will return after the pandemic Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2021
UK workforce finds happiness in ability to work from anywhere
Study finds 44% of UK workers consider the ability to work remotely as a driver of happiness and 61% would support government policies aimed at the widespread adoption of ‘hybrid’ working practices Continue Reading
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12 Apr 2021
Employees express high expectations of IT in world of ‘work from anywhere’
Research from network performance monitoring solution provider AppNeta finds pandemic pushing organisations to transform workplace models to accommodate ‘new normal’ of work Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2021
Software République consortium to cash in on intelligent, sustainable mobility opportunities
With new value propositions at stake, five IT, industrial, automotive and comms leaders have laid the foundations for an open innovation ecosystem in the mobility market Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2021
Almost half of UK office workers fear return to offices
Research shows 83% of UK office workers agree that flexible working is here to stay, but fears persist of catching Covid-19 from colleagues if they return to the office Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2021
5PRING, Ferrovial challenge UK 5G innovators to lead UK construction ‘revolution’
Leading UK 5G testbed provider announces partnership with global infrastructure operator to understand and assist in the development of the potential 5G has to take construction to a new level Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
More than two-thirds of staff want flexible working to stay
Microsoft research finds 71% of UK workers want flexible work options to remain after the Covid crisis has passed and one-third are likely to move to a new location in the next year because they can work remotely Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
Businesses need to heed employee bounce in hybrid workplace
Workplace tech firm releases study showing how firms are grappling with the depth and breadth of the return-to-office process and unveils new platform to help enable an effective hybrid workplace Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
Over a quarter of C-suites say their hybrid work model won’t be ready until 2022
Survey reveals few companies have got in place, or even established, norms and policies to address the new world of hybrid working Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
5G Future Forum calls for members
Hoping to provide “a beacon of opportunities previously untapped”, 5G Future Forum is seeking new members to bolster ecosystem of expanded 5G partnerships and establish global edge market that drives innovation, collaboration and competition Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2021
Firms balance new tech deployment, security and skills as IT moves past pandemic
Sunburst cyber attack rubs salt into the wounds of firms struggling to cope with the new demands on networks in the post-Covid working environment, says survey Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2021
2020 network upstream growth rate nearly 4x pre-pandemic levels
OpenVault study shows the impact of business hours increases and individual subscriber behaviour on upstream capacity is putting unprecedented strain on network operators Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2021
Plume introduces WorkPass for small businesses
Smart home tech provider offers secure hyper connectivity and personalised smart home solutions as the home becomes the office Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2021
Cisco launches next-gen networking suite to address post-pandemic ‘new normal’
Networking technology and services giant makes significant expansion of network line as it recognises that as workforces become increasingly hybrid, traditional network and security frameworks can no longer keep pace Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2021
Employees express high expectations of IT in world of ‘work from anywhere’
Research from network performance monitoring solution provider AppNeta finds pandemic pushing organisations to transform workplace models to accommodate ‘new normal’ of work Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2021
Three-quarters of employees feel worse from remote working
Survey by security technology specialist reveals that the thrill of home working has gone, and there is a generational divide in working conditions Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2021
Remote working burn-out a factor in security risk
After a year of working from the kitchen table, stress and burn-out are increasing, giving rise to more security risks – and Millennials seem to be particularly affected Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2021
Sky enters business broadband arena with Sky Connect
Broadband provider launches scheme to give UK’s small businesses a better broadband experience, creating 1,000 jobs in the process Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2021
Google Cloud claims revolution with Network Connectivity Centre
Cloud giant introduces platform designed to allow enterprises to simplify complex heterogeneous networks for on-prem and cloud connectivity needs and connect with Cisco SD-WAN as a single network Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2021
PCCW Global expands SD-WAN services with uCPE, NFV
Hong Kong-based international communications service provider brings new level of user experience, enhanced security, automation and simplified management to global infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2021
SD-WAN, SASE see spike as firms experience ‘network nightmare’ in 2020
Networking tech firm’s annual survey shows Covid-driven home networking sees network complexity skyrocket Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2021
Why collaboration is the next driver in enterprise software
Use of enterprise collaboration tools has exploded during the pandemic. Now they are expanding their remit into the realm of enterprise systems Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2021
Big four make small impression in Which? UK broadband survey
As remote working became the default during the UK lockdown, the importance of dependable and enterprise-acceptable home broadband was never more crucial, but Which? shows that the country’s largest providers have proved a let-down regarding connection reliability, internet speeds and value for money Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2021
Altnet association warns of threat to UK full-fibre roll-out
Independent Networks Co-operative Association warns that recent momentum in gigabit broadband implementation could be delayed if independent providers and their investors believe UK comms regulator is not willing to listen to their concerns Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2021
Avaya adds AI, advanced meeting capabilities to Spaces collaboration platform
IP comms firm announces new capabilities for workstream collaboration platform, offering evolved unified communications capabilities via a user’s preferred device Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2021
UK online traffic soars during year in lockdown
Research from leading UK ISP reveals online usage in the UK has increased by 78% year-on-year since the first lockdown Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2021
Employers face delicate balancing act as hybrid workforce emerges from lockdown
Study from UK telco advises firms to prepare for the divided demands of the post-lockdown workforce Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2021
Ofcom revamps wholesale broadband rules to ramp up full-fibre roll-out
UK comms regulator announces new guidelines for the UK wholesale telecoms market, with the principal aim to drive investment in fibre gigabit services and support the closure of the UK’s copper network Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2021
Eseye looks to Verizon to enable IoT localisation
Partnership aims to enable customers with global IoT deployments to localise devices over-the-air to operator’s network, avoiding permanent roaming issues and delivering global IoT connectivity Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2021
Community Fibre scales up gigabit offerings for London businesses
ISP pivots from home to business to provide new features tailored to SMEs’ needs and hires new head of business and wholesale to assist post-lockdown working environment Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2021
O2 Business aims to boost flexible working with digital workplace
Operator strengthens digital workplace portfolio with two new propositions to help business owners get the latest devices and integrate voice services for Microsoft Teams Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
LogMeIn refreshes GoToConnect to support permanent shift to flexible work
Collaboration technology provider enhances core suite to empower customers to connect from anywhere and integrate with leading collaboration systems Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
AT&T adds managed SASE to portfolio
Comms and IT provider AT&T teams with security specialist Fortinet to offer network solution based on SASE principles to support distributed workforces and solve associated challenges Continue Reading
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Podcast
09 Mar 2021
Hybrid working, diversity progress – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna discuss hybrid working, progress in diversity and data in healthcare Continue Reading