UK broadcast 5 to show Tour de France highlights
UNITED KINGDOM 11:46

UK broadcast 5 to show Tour de France highlights

Warner Bros Discovery-owned TNT Sports has signed a multi-year agreement with UK broadcaster 5 for the PSB to show highlights of Grand Tour elite cycling for the next three years. The agreement covers the Tour de France (2026-2028), as well the Vuelta a Espana (2026-2028) and the Giro d'Italia (2027-2019), known as the Grand Tours.

Sky Mobile research shows top data-wasting habits for Brits overseas
UNITED KINGDOM 11:37

Sky Mobile research shows top data-wasting habits for Brits overseas

New research from Sky Mobile has highlighted the everyday habits that could be draining Brits mobile data abroad. The top three biggest data drainers are online messaging/downloading WhatsApp messages (56%), maps and navigation tools (52%) and search engines (48%). The research found that 20 percent of Brits have no idea about what countries are included in their roaming data allowance; and almost half (48%) of Brits aged 25-34 have been hit by unexpected, expensive data roaming charges overseas.

Samsung Galaxy XR to launch in UK from 08 July
UNITED KINGDOM 10:16

Samsung Galaxy XR to launch in UK from 08 July

Samsung has announced the launch of the Samsung Galaxy XR headset in the UK, with the device available online at Samsung.com/UK from 08 July and from select Samsung Experience Stores later in July. Pre-orders are being accepted now, with the device costing GBP 1,699. This will be Samsung's first extended reality device in the UK, powered by Android XR. It also supports Android Enterprise, for businesses to deploy and manage devices with enterprise-grade controls and enhanced security features. 

EE launches Disney+ app on EE TV Box
UNITED KINGDOM 10:07

EE launches Disney+ app on EE TV Box

BT Group unit EE has announced availability of the Disney+ app on the EE TV Box and EE TV Box Edge. This will give EE TV customers with a Disney+ subscription easy access to entertainment and live sports from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, Hulu, Nat Geo, FX and ESPN.

CMA imposes new fair ranking, data portability requirements on Google Search
UNITED KINGDOM 10:01

CMA imposes new fair ranking, data portability requirements on Google Search

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced two new conduct requirements for Google search services in the UK. Introduced as part of the Digital Markets Competition Regime, the first requirement will ensure fair ranking of search results for businesses; with the second requiring Google to let users port search data into authorised third parties such as rewards platforms. This follows CMA actions earlier in June allowing publishers to opt out of having their content used to power Google's AI

NCSC warns hostile states are increasing attacks on critical infrastructure
UNITED KINGDOM 09:13

NCSC warns hostile states are increasing attacks on critical infrastructure

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) managed over 200 cyber incidents impacting critical national infrastructure (CNI) and supporting ecosystem in the 12 months to May 2026. Of these, around 75 percent can be linked to hostile state actors. In a speech at the Annual Security Lecture of the Royal United Services Institute, NCSC head Dr Richard Horne warned that hostile states - such as Iran, China and Russia - are increasingly targeting the UK's CNI, and that cyber security should be treated as an "o

BBC confirms plans to cut 550 jobs, make savings of GBP 160 million
UNITED KINGDOM 08:44

BBC confirms plans to cut 550 jobs, make savings of GBP 160 million

The BBC has announced plans to cut 550 jobs across the News, Nations and Content divisions by start FY2027/28. These divisions will also reduce their commissioning spend by around GBP 80 million by end-2027/28. The plans will deliver cost savings of around GBP 25 million and the loss of around 200 roles for BBC News in the first phase. The new cuts will deliver savings of around GBP 160 million, part of a wider plan to reduce costs by GBP 500 million over the next three years. The BBC said it would outline

O2 Satellite service support extended to Google Pixel smartphones
UNITED KINGDOM 08:31

O2 Satellite service support extended to Google Pixel smartphones

Virgin Media O2 is expanding support for the O2 Satellite service to Google Pixel smartphones. Launched earlier in 2026, the direct-to-device satellite service is included with Ultimate Plan subscriptions at no extra cost. Other pay-monthly customers can add O2 Satellite as a Bolt On for GBP 3 extra per month. The support for Google Pixel devices follows the launch of Apple compatibility in May. 

Google Cloud supports UK local government digital planning tool projects
UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

Google Cloud supports UK local government digital planning tool projects

Google has marked the Google Cloud summit in London with major updates on two projects with the UK government - the national roll-out of the Extract tool, and the Augmented Planning Decisions prototype project with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Both projects use Google Cloud technology and are designed to support a digital planning system. 

3 UK marks Father's Day with new loyalty member offers
UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

3 UK marks Father's Day with new loyalty member offers

3 UK has announced a new Father's Day promotion for Three+ loyalty members. It has partnered with the 'Coupon King' Jordan Cox to offer 'Dad Dates' rewards - such as weekend Cineworld cinema tickets from GBP 3; Barista-made drinks from GBP 1; GBP 5 off Papa Johns; thousands of free IMO car washes; GBP 5 pasta or pizza at Frankie & Benny's; and GBP 5 fajitas at Las Iguanas. 

Sky Business survey shows venue Wi-Fi important for football fans
UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

Sky Business survey shows venue Wi-Fi important for football fans

Almost two thirds (62%) of Brits visiting a World Cup venue over summer 2026 plan to connect to the venue's Wi-Fi, rising to 71 percent for 25-34 year olds, according to new research from Sky Business. This presents a good business opportunity for hospitality venues, with football fans expecting to spend an average of GBP 52 per game at venues. Three quarters (76%) of hospitality decision makers said Wi-Fi connectivity has become more importance since previous World Cups.

Sky Sports sees record viewers for start of Women's T20 World Cup
UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

Sky Sports sees record viewers for start of Women's T20 World Cup

Sky Sports has announced record UK audiences for the opening weekend of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. It registered 3.3 million viewer hours over the weekend, with the opening match between England and Sri Lanka registering the highest average on record for an ICC T20 Women's cricket tournament at 393,000 - with a peak audience of 510,000. This opening match was also streamed on YouTube with around 75,000 people watching; with the live blog on Sky Sports.com getting more than 90,000 views.

UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

EE promotes benefits of 5G+ network with new ad campaign

BT Group unit EE has launched a new brand campaign to highlight the power and benefits of its 5G+ mobile network. The 'Get the Edge' campaign launches with a 60-second film showing how customers "can get the edge when it matters most" due to the speed and reliability of EE 5G+. The campaign will run across AV, out-of-home, digital out-of-home, online video, social, audio, VoD, cinema and retail. 

UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

WM5G rolls out TechFirst programme across West Midlands

West Midlands 5G (WM5G) and delivery partner Digital Innovators have been appointed as the first TechFirst youth delivery partner across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in England. This will young people aged 11-18 across the region with early exposure to frontier technologies such as AI, cyber security, quantum technologies and advanced connectivity technology (ACT). 

UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

Priority from O2 offers free late-night coffees after England, Scotland games

Virgin Media O2 is offering thousands of free coffees from food chains Greggs through the 'Priority from O2' customer loyalty scheme. These will be available to customers after every late-night match featuring England or Scotland. The offer is available from 14-28 June while stocks last, and can be redeemed against regular takeaway hot drinks including White Coffee, Latte, Americano, Flat White, Cappuccino, Mocha, Hot Chocolate, Specialty hot drink, Tea and Specialty Tea. 

UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

LINX to launch new London Metro Resilience solution in July

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) will launch a new solution called LINX Metro Resilience on 01 July 2026. Announced at the LINX126 meeting and AGM in London, this will allow members and prospective networks to take mirrored services for less on LON1 and LON2. Networks with mirrored services on the LON1 Internet Exchange will get a 60 percent discount on LON2. LINX CCO Megan Atkins said the new service would allow members and global networks to establish a resilient presence in the London metro. 

UNITED KINGDOM 17 JUN

Vodafone survey highlights growing mobile battery anxiety of Brits

New research from Vodafone UK shows that Brits start to worry when their mobile phone battery level drops to 28 percent. Younger generations have a greater fear of running out of battery, with the fear of a flat battery the most stressful everyday worry for 36 percent of Gen Z and 34 percent of Millennials. For younger Brits, running out of mobile phone battery is worse than losing their keys, running late or being stuck in traffic. Vodafone conducted the survey to promote its Lifetime Service Promise, whic

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

BBC appoints Interim Chair of Commercial Board

The BBC has announced the appointment of Marinella Soldi as Interim Chair of the BBC Commercial Board with effect from start-July 2026. She joined the Commercial Board in September 2024 as a non-executive director (NED), and has served on the main BBC Group Board since September 2023. Her appointment comes as Sir Damon Buffini prepares to stand down as Chair of BBC Commercial and BBC Deputy Chair when his term expires on 30 June. 

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

Liberty Blume acquires UK land rights specialist CLM

Liberty Global-owned Liberty Blume, provider of AI-powered back-office solutions, has announced a deal to acquire Connections Legal Management (CLM), UK-based land rights specialist. This expands Liberty Blume's infrastructure services business beyond the telecoms market. The combination of CLM's expertise in renewables and energy with Liberty Blume's expertise in telecoms and AI-powered technology, will enhance support for companies such as wind and solar developers, infrastructure delivery firms, and grid

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

UK govt announces new national network for quantum standards

The UK government has announced the launch of a national network to coordinate quantum technologies standards. The new National Quantum Standards Network (QSN), supported by funding of GBP 10 million from the UK government, will be established by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to bring together common standards for quantum technology. 

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

Ofcom consults on plans to support satellite networks, services

UK regulator Ofcom is consulting on plans to update spectrum rules to support satellite networks and services. Firstly, it is consulting on plans for the 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) band - 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz. It is proposing to allow existing licence holders Viasat and EchoStar to continue using the spectrum for a 3-5 year transitional term, once the current licences expire in May 2027. This will allow them to continue providing their services, including the European Aviation Network.

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

ITV registers 110 million streams over 7-day period in early-June

UK broadcaster ITV has registered 110 million streams on ITV over the 7-day period from Monday 08-Sunday 14 June, its best 7-day performance since July 2024. The streaming performance was driven by the friendly football match between England and Costa Rica, the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ongoing popularity of ITV's soap operates and reality TV show 'Love Island'. 

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

NuFibre joins APFN's Aquila wholesale platform

AllPoints Fibre Networks (APFN) has added UK full-fibre broadband provider NuFibre to its Aquila wholesale fibre platform. Onboarding and integration of NuFibre was completed in less than eight weeks, one of the fastest partners to onboard to date. Joining the Aquila platform supports NuFibre's growth plans, allowing it to expand efficiently across the UK. Aquila now provides access to more than 21 million premises across the UK. 

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

O2 UK activates 5G+ Standalone network across Suffolk

Virgin Media O2 has switched on the O2 5G+ Standalone network across Suffolk, including in the towns of Ipswich, Lowestoft, Felixstowe, Newmarket, Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds. The roll-out will benefit more than 760,000 people across 434 towns and villages in the county, and is part of the group's wider GBP 700 million Mobile Transformation Plan.

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Background

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

11 MEI 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK