Tag Archives: OfCom

Over the years, most major mobile networks have tried to keep customers tied to their business by selling ‘locked' smartphones. While your device can be unlocked for another network if you call up and ask, Ofcom wants to make the switching process easier for UK customers and is considering new …

If you're into technology, there's a good chance that you're waiting with bated breath for every shred of news that may give you a hint about when you'll be able to get your hands on the next-generation of 5G wireless devices. If you live in the UK, there are already …

When it comes to internet service providers (ISPs), most users aren't exactly in love with their available choices. In the UK, that sentiment is even stronger than it is in most other places. According to a biannual survey by consumer ratings publication Which?, it appears that most of the most …

Ofcom is cracking down on UK telecom practices once again, this time taking aim at EE and Vodafone over allegations of inaccurate data coverage information. These inaccurate statistics seem to primarily be affecting those who live in rural areas. Ofcom launched its investigation earlier this week and aims to figure …

On the surface, UK broadband provider TalkTalk is doing rather well. It grew its customer base by a net 80,000 in the first quarter of FY19, pushing above 2.1 million subscribers in total. Not everyone is happy to be with the company, however, as Ofcom outs that the company is …

The UK government is working with internet service providers (ISPs) to ensure that all UK residents will get a minimum of 10Mbps by 2020. While it seems to be making progress on this, Ofcom's latest Connected Nations report shows that 3 percent, equivalent to 925,000 homes and businesses, still suffer …

After a lengthy delay caused by UK network Three challenging Ofcom’s 5G limitation, the auction for 4G and 5G spectrum finally went under way this week. Ofcom has since posted the results of the principle stage, with Vodafone and O2 taking away the biggest cuts. Five major companies competed for …

In recent months, Ofcom has been taking UK internet providers to task in order to force them into providing a better service. That won't be slowing down this year, with Ofcom announcing its new code of practice this week, which will require UK ISPs to give customers a minimum speed …

Last year, UK mobile network provider Three attempted to reduce Ofcom’s limitation on the amount of the 5G spectrum that could be purchased to 30 percent. It seems the legal action has now failed, with the auction set to go ahead in April with an imposed cap of 37 percent. …

Back in March, Ofcom proposed some new ideas to hold UK-based internet providers accountable for poor service. Under its proposal, ISPs would be required to give customers automatic compensation for loss of connection, slow repairs and missed engineering appointments. Now, it several major ISPs, including BT, Sky, Virgin Media and …

Back in July, Ofcom imposed a new limitation restricting the amount of the 5G spectrum that mobile providers can buy to 37 percent. A lot has snowballed since then, with UK mobile companies Three gearing up a legal challenge to Ofcom’s decision and Vodafone saying this legal action will “unnecessarily …

Mobile network Three has been hit with a £1.9 million fine after Ofcom uncovered weaknesses in how the network handles emergency calls. According to Ofcom, Three's network wasn't fit to deliver all emergency calls, with loss of service reports coming in from customers across the country. The fine was passed …

There comes a time in most people's lives where we need to debate switching mobile providers, whether its due to poor signal, or a lack of upgrade deals. However, the call to ditch your provider can often be awkward and filled with salesmen trying their best to change your mind. …

It looks like Ofcom and BT are still slugging out out as this week, the telecoms regulator hit BT with a £42 million fine and ordered the company to set aside £300 million to compensate competing ISPs, which have been held back by slow upgrades and BT/Openreach's failure to meet …

It looks like Ofcom has some new ideas in mind for UK-based internet providers as this week, the regulator put forward a new proposal under which ISPs would be required to give customers compensation for loss of connection, slow repairs and missed engineering appointments. The proposal, which is bound to upset …

Over the years, BT has often come under fire for its operation of Openreach, the backbone of the UK's internet infrastructure. Upgrades to the lines have been slow and other ISPs who rely on OpenReach have also accused BT of providing a poor service. Now, after a lengthy regulatory battle, …

It looks like Ofcom still has a score to settle with BT, with the regulator today revealing that it believes more than two million BT landline customers are getting a bad deal on their contracts, proposing that bills be lowered by at least five pounds per month for those affected. …

Ofcom has been clamping down on mobile networks recently. A few months back the regulator fined Vodafone for poor customer support and now, its attention has turned to EE, which has now been fined £2.7 million after overcharging over 40,000 customers. An investigation led by Ofcom has found that EE …

Back in July, UK communications regulator Ofcom set its sights on BT and ordered the ISP to make itself more independent from Openreach. At first, BT complied and said that it would work on addressing these complaints but in the time since then, little has been done, forcing Ofcom to …

Amid threats that it could still force BT to break up its businesses if it doesn't play ball, industry regulator OfCom is forcing the British Telecom firm to open up its copper wire and fibre network for more companies to take advantage of. The idea is to offer a more …

Although the UK has always lagged behind other nations when it comes to average download speeds, there are areas where it is better than others. London of course enjoys some of the highest speeds in the country, but what about the worst? If you live in Wales, big chunks of …

Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD), the regulatory body for on demand TV platforms in the UK, like 4OD, BBC iPlayer and the ITV player, is set to close after just five years of operation. It's regulatory responsibilities, which lately have seen the organisation go after porn site operators, will …

Breaking America is difficult, whether you're a pop star or a giant telecoms company, apparently. UK based BT has called on U.S. regulators to change the current laws on the sale of network usage, making it possible for different companies to access each other's network at a regulated price. As …

The debate over internet privacy is one that's going to rage for years to come thanks to the continued back and forth tug of war between the likes of politicians, lobby groups and whistle blowers like Edward Snowden. However, in the eyes of the public it seems that that debate …

Hutchinson Whampoa, the parent company of UK mobile network, Three,  has confirmed that it is hosting “executive negotiations” with Telefonica to acquire O2 for £10.25 billion. This news comes just a few days after rumors of a potential purchase began to fly around. In a statement from Hutchinson, a company …

The number of UK homes with a TV has fallen for the first time ever due to the rise in alternatives like tablets, which offer apps like 4OD, BBC Iplayer and Netflix to watch shows online. Ofcom has confirmed that after years of consistent growth, the number of houses with …

Along with all of the GamerGate furore that has engulfed the world of games journalism in the past few months, Youtube Let's Players have been catching flak too, for not making promotional videos obvious enough. Sure they might have put a disclaimer in the description, but when the content in …

Despite BT's continued roll out of fibre broadband and pledges from many of the country's ISPs to deliver high-speed internet to more rural locations, there are some parts of the UK which are still woefully behind the technological trend. Often the reason is a small local population or the area …

Considering how much of the internet is consumed by animal pictures, videos and GIFs (the unholy marriage of the former two) it seems ridiculous that someone didn't think of this already. Now though, thanks to a partnership between London Zoo and Google, you can view live video streams of some …

Mobile phone coverage in the UK might be a lot better now than it was ten years ago, but if you don't live in one of the major cities, making sure your home have enough bars to receive and make calls is an important consideration. That's why OfCom has recently …