Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BT makes progress in security sector; Smarsh buys Cognia; Spotify silences the hate; uh-oh, here comes the 'bothie.'

Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe

August 18, 2017

3 Min Read
Eurobites: BT Broadens Gfast Rollout

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BT makes progress in security sector; Smarsh buys Cognia; Spotify silences the hate; uh-oh, here comes the "bothie."

  • BT Group plc (NYSE: BT; London: BTA) is extending the use of Gfast technology -- which "turbocharges" existing copper lines for better broadband performance -- to 26 more locations in the UK, Computer Weekly reports. The move forms part of a program that will see Gfast-driven service being made available to half a million homes and businesses across the UK in the near term and up to 10 million by 2020. BT's soon-to-be-estranged network access division, Openreach , made the announcement in Glasgow, where it named the Douglas and Bridgeton areas of the city as the latest to be upgraded with Gfast technology. (See Long-Range, High-Speed Gfast Is Coming – BT.)

    • Still with BT, the UK national operator has been named as a "Leader" in IDC 's MarketScape: Worldwide Managed Security Services 2017 Vendor Assessment, which is a step up from the "Major Player" level, where it languished previously. BT is making its presence felt in the security sector, and recently explained to Light Reading how it is attacking its own network in a bid to stop others from doing the same.

    • With a deadline extension until September 1, there's still time to enter the annual Global Telecoms Awards run by our sister site, Telecoms.com. This year's shindig, to be held at the swanky 8 Northumberland Avenue venue in London on November 2, includes five new categories: VR/AR Trailblazer; Connected Cars; TV/Video Innovation; AI Initiative of the Year; and Managed Services Innovation of the Year. Check out the submission form here. (See Still Time to Enter Telecoms.com's Glotel Awards.)

    • Cognia, a London-based specialist in cloud-based voice archiving, audio search and analytics, has been acquired by Smarsh Inc. of Portland, Ore. Smarsh hopes the acquisition will boost its presence in Europe and offer its customers enhanced capabilities around mobile and fixed-line communications within the Smarsh archiving platform. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

    • Following the horrific events in Charlottesville, Sweden-based Spotify has removed a number of white supremacist bands from its music streaming service, the BBC reports. The words "no great loss" have never been more apposite. (See Intel CEO Leaves Trump Biz Advisory Board.)

    • If you thought the selfie epidemic was bad, it is time for ye to abandon all hope: The "bothie" has arrived. HMD Global, the Finnish outfit that is trying to revive Nokia as a mobile phone brand, is trumpeting the "dual-sight video" capabilities of its new Nokia 8. In plain English this means it has a camera front and back, allowing the user to film him or herself at the same time as he/she is filming something or someone else. Check out the YouTube video below, posted by Btekt. Such a refreshing new twist on self-absorption…

      — Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading

Read more about:

Europe

About the Author(s)

Paul Rainford

Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading

Paul is based on the Isle of Wight, a rocky outcrop off the English coast that is home only to a colony of technology journalists and several thousand puffins.

He has worked as a writer and copy editor since the age of William Caxton, covering the design industry, D-list celebs, tourism and much, much more.

During the noughties Paul took time out from his page proofs and marker pens to run a small hotel with his other half in the wilds of Exmoor. There he developed a range of skills including carrying cooked breakfasts, lying to unwanted guests and stopping leaks with old towels.

Now back, slightly befuddled, in the world of online journalism, Paul is thoroughly engaged with the modern world, regularly firing up his VHS video recorder and accidentally sending text messages to strangers using a chipped Nokia feature phone.

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

You May Also Like