April was Virgin Media’s busiest month on record as people flocked online
The average household has used an extra 325GB of data since lockdown began, according to Virgin Media.
Broadband
Greater access to water and sewer networks could help gigabit broadband rollout
Easier access to water and sewer networks could be enforced to help the rollout of gigabit broadband, under new Government plans.
Third of Britons say internet performance worse during lockdown – survey
A third of people say they have experienced worse internet performance during the coronavirus lockdown, despite recent suggestions that broadband providers have largely held up against the surge in demand.
Older people risking broadband price hikes over switching fears, research says
People aged over 55 in the UK are most at risk from broadband price rises because they are unwilling to switch providers, new research suggests.
TalkTalk says issue affecting access to some websites ‘resolved’
TalkTalk has said it has “resolved” an issue which affected customers’ ability to access some websites on Friday morning.
Fastest ever internet speed recorded in Australia, researchers claim
Researchers in Australia claim they may have successfully tested the fastest internet data speed ever, capable of downloading 1,000 HD movies in less than a second.
Openreach starts phased return for engineers to work inside people’s homes
Openreach is phasing in a return to working inside people’s homes for its engineers from Monday.
Minor broadband speed fall suggests networks holding up against lockdown surge
Broadband providers are holding up against a surge in demand during lockdown, with download speeds only falling an average of 2%, analysis by Ofcom suggests.
Calls for Scottish Government to ‘fast-track’ broadband improvements for north-east
A north-east MSP is calling on the Scottish Government to “fast-track” the roll out of its high speed broadband.
Virgin Media says broadband issue ‘fixed’ but users still reporting problems
Some Virgin Media broadband customers have claimed they are still experiencing problems with their internet connection despite the company saying the issue has been resolved.
Hull achieves most improved broadband speed over 12 months, research suggests
Hull has achieved the best broadband speed improvement over 12 months as well as the highest speed overall, research suggests.
Curzon to curate home film viewings with live director Q&As
Directors including Andrew Haigh, Celine Sciamma and Joanna Hogg will take part in live Q&As as people are encouraged to watch their films at home at the same time during the coronavirus crisis.
Avoid using microwave to get faster internet – Ofcom
People should avoid using their microwave at the same time as their wifi in order to get better internet speeds, media regulator Ofcom has said.
What to you do if you encounter technical problems when working from home
Despite assurances from internet providers that the UK’s broadband network is able to withstand the added strain, technical issues can still occur like any normal day.
Disney+ to launch with two episodes of Star Wars series The Mandalorian
Disney’s new streaming service will launch in the UK with the first two episodes of Star Wars series The Mandalorian.
Developers to be forced to make new-build homes gigabit-speed capable
Developers could be forced to make sure new-build homes are fit to carry gigabit-speed broadband.
Chancellor’s gigabit-capable broadband pledge welcomed by industry
The telecoms industry has welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a £5 billion investment to introduce gigabit-capable broadband across the whole of the UK.
Coronavirus: Internet providers ‘ready’ to handle extra demand from home workers
The UK’s internet service providers have said they are “ready” to handle any extra broadband demand if more people work from home as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Millions of homes have slower broadband than London Underground, report suggests
More than four million UK households have slower broadband than the London Underground, according to new research.
Praise for broadband rollout in Aberdeenshire town
An MSP has welcomed the news that 2,200 homes and businesses in a north-east town can now access fibre broadband.
MPs launch inquiry into Government high-speed broadband pledge
MPs are to launch an inquiry into the UK’s broadband and 5G networks to examine the Government’s pledge to bring high-speed internet to every home and business in the UK by 2025.
UK device designed to improve astronauts’ internet speed reaches ISS
A UK-built device that will allow astronauts to communicate with Earth at home broadband speeds has reached the International Space Station (ISS).
Huawei and 5G: the key questions
Ministers are due to decide on Tuesday if Chinese tech firm Huawei should be allowed a place in the UK’s 5G network infrastructure.
TalkTalk users in Liverpool and Manchester hit by broadband outage
TalkTalk customers in parts of the North West were left without broadband on Thursday morning after a fault with the company’s service.
Virgin Media customers hit by service outage after cable cut
Virgin Media customers in parts of London have been left without internet after cables were damaged, with some claiming to have been unable to get online for more than 24 hours.
Ofcom proposes ban on mobile firms selling locked phones
Ofcom is proposing a ban on the sale of “locked” mobile phones as part of plans to make it easier for mobile users to switch operators.
Nearly half of students want voice assistant to help with work, research finds
Nearly half of students would like to be given access to a voice-activated assistant to help with their studies, new research suggests.
Labour pledges review of UK cybersecurity defences
The Labour Party has pledged to overhaul the country’s cybersecurity with the creation of a co-ordinating minister and a review of the National Cyber Security Centre’s role.
One in three households ‘cannot access WiFi in every room’
WiFi “not-spots” – areas of the home where people are unable to connect to WiFi – affect a third of UK households, new research suggests.
Corbyn vows to ‘close down tax tricks used by giants like Google and Facebook’
Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to close the “tax tricks” used by giant corporations to partially fund a pledge to deliver free full-fibre internet to all by making broadband a public service.