Amazon to form a ISP in Europe / UK?

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2474587/amazon-reportedly-primes-own-internet-service-in-europe

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2016/10/amazon-mooting-broadband-isp-uk-europe.html

Keen to wholesale eh?

Wouldn't seem logical to go with Sky as they are a direct competitor in the OTT market. BT? Maybe as they are mostly sport on the OTT side.

TalkTalk have been in the wholesale game a long while so would be a good bet. Especially as they try to sure up dwindling consumer numbers.

Vodafone are more recently back in the fixed line market game with a OTT offering as well. Maybe a deal to be had there as well.

Basically it's a crowded market to enter in the UK but if anyone could do it, Amazon can! Wouldn't be great news for the likes of smaller ISP's such as John Lewis in that space. Amazon has deals with the likes of Morrisons where it could get some marketing across as well.

Vodafone Germany starts rolling out SIM card based encryption

The interesting bits:

A report from The Hacker News has detailed Vodafone's plans for securing customers' data communication using a SIM card based solution which previously was possible using separate smart cards or tokens. The company has developed this solution in collaboration with its security partner Giesecke & Devrient (G&D).

The solution which will utilize a PIN and a digital signature will be used to encrypt the data at sender's end and decrypt at the receiver's ends using the SIM. Data such as emails, documents, VPN connections and other forms of data communication will be secured using it. Currently, the Secure SIM solution uses S/MIME encryption but the company expects to use PGP in the future as the system becomes mature.

Vodafone expects to launch similar encryption solution for voice calls using a Secure Call app, which the company hopes to launch on all major smartphone platforms such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

http://www.neowin.net/news/vodafone-germany-starts-rolling-out-sim-card-based-encryption

AT&T could buy Europe's biggest mobile phone network (and Verizon's former owner)

That'd certainly shake things up. Also they'd gain some Cable and Wireless assets so it has wide spreading consequences!

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/02/att-could-buy-vodafone-verizon-former-owner-european-expansion/

BT has no love of the old BT Cellnet network or Vodafone. Jumps in bed with EE.

BT has today moved one step closer to expanding their mobile solutions after it signed an “exclusive” multi-year agreement with EE (Everything Everywhere), which will provide the predominantly fixed line telecoms firm with Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services.

The deal, which is still subject to final contract, effectively means that BT has chosen to replace its existing 9-year MVNO agreement with Vodafone in favour ofEE. BT said that the operator would work to “ensure a seamless transition for customers“.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2013/10/ee-sign-deal-provide-uk-mobile-virtual-network-operator-services-bt.html

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Vodafone UK Expands 4G Rollout and Connects 100,000th Customer

Vodafone were late to the party but they look to be pushing their rollout at a decent pace.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2013/10/vodafone-uk-expands-4g-rollout-connects-100000th-customer.html

Moved mobile operators.

So I'm back with Vodafone. It's been a while. Not since my fault prone Nokia N95 8GB days (I sure do pick the troubled handsets)..

I must admit they have an amazing number porting system (linked below). I did have to give them a quick call to find out my new account number but that was trouble free. The IVR options need a bit of work but after a very short while I got through to someone who answered all my queries in one go!

I did previously like Tesco mobile (O2 network) but I couldn't see an offer to suit me for what I wanted at the time). Also O2 didn't do as well as the others in the 4G auctions in my opinion, so it'll be interesting to see how they do in the long run. Then again I think Vodafone want to re-contract everyone onto 4G contracts when their network goes live (with big early termination fee discounts for current customers in contracts).

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/discover-vodafone/benefits/keep-my-number/index.htm

Ofcom announce the 4G auctions bidders

Interesting not to see Virgin in there as they were running some 4G trials.

BT are in the mix via Niche Spectrum Ventures Limited.

I was kinda hoping for a surprise from a a big name fixed line ISPs but it seems they aren't interested.

B Sky B have The Cloud.

TalkTalk operate an MVNO

So I guess they consider the fix line market a core technology for another generation at least.

Going forward with fibre, the speeds will certainly beat 4G but 4G does bring down the latency on mobile connections. It'll be interesting when there is a mature 4G network in place, we might see more and more people willing to forgo a fixed line to save costs.

Thinkbroadband:
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5637-ofcom-announce-the-4g-auctions-bidders.html

Vodafone buys Cable and Wireless Worldwide

Very wise move on the fibre backbone architecture. They'll be needing that for their 4G network. http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/5184-vodafone-buys-cable-and-wireless-worldwide.html

Vodafone looking to buy Cable & Wireless, just can't resist that fibre-optic infrastructure

Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/vodafone-cw-deal/#comments