Copyright TechTarget - All rights reserved ComputerWeekly’s best articles of the day https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html Techtarget Feed Generator en Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:16:17 GMT https://www.computerweekly.com editor@computerweekly.com <p>With all local government agencies in the UK facing the need to do more with a lot less, Lincolnshire County Council has embarked on a programme to deliver and manage a modernised software-defined wide area network (WAN) throughout the county.</p> <p>Situated in the northeast midlands of England, the mainly rural Lincolnshire county covers just over 2.6 million square miles, with a population of around 1.12 million people. As England’s fourth largest county council, <a href="https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/">Lincolnshire County Council</a> employs more than 6,000 people and delivers a range of public services, including Adult and Children’s Social Care, Highways and Transport, Environmental Services, Education, and Fire and Rescue services, across 200 sites.</p> <p>The new network will aim to provide improved&nbsp;resilience&nbsp;and secure integration with cloud-based services across all council sites. The deployment will also support including <a href="https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincolnshire-fire-rescue">Lincolnshire Fire &amp; Rescue</a>, with centralised health and social care network (HSCN) access.</p> <p>Explaining the reasons for the project, <a href="https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/">Lincolnshire County Council</a> CIO Tom Baker said: “Our vision is to build a technological ecosystem that not only supports our ongoing operational needs but meets the expectations of our citizens in digital delivery as a time of local government change.”&nbsp;</p> <p>The work to implement the WAN will be carried out by <a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kUf1CyP6mEtJpYZOVCPC9cxfvr7?domain=exponential-e.com" href="https://www.exponential-e.com/industry/government">Exponential-e</a><u>,</u> a&nbsp;UK provider of&nbsp;sovereign&nbsp;cloud, connectivity, communications and cyber security solutions, has been awarded a five-year contract, procured under Crown Commercial Services (CCS) <a href="https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6116">Network Services 3 Framework</a>.</p> <p>Noting that the company was an expert with technical ability and proven public sector expertise, CIO Baker noted that Exponential-e will be critical in improving the council’s ability to manage ongoing and accelerated change.&nbsp;</p> <p>Exponential-e will replace the council’s existing outdated Public Services Network (PSN) infrastructure with a fully managed Cisco <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366635495/SASE-SD-WAN-evolve-as-enterprises-prioritise-unified-network-security">software-defined wide area network</a> (SD-WAN). This is intended to deliver a unified, centrally orchestrated, secure and high-performing network environment, designed to support the council’s long-term digital strategy, enabling greater agility, improved resilience and secure integration with cloud-based services.</p> <p>The solution will also integrate with the council’s operational and security platforms, incorporating secure-by-design principles, centralised monitoring, incident-response systems, automated failover capabilities, dynamic routing and flexible network segmentation. This is meant to support a zero-trust security approach and rapid onboard of new sites.&nbsp;</p> <p>The architecture will be centrally managed via a structured service desk model to provide encrypted connectivity across all locations. It will also support critical national infrastructure (CNI) services including Lincolnshire Fire &amp; Rescue with encrypted integration and centralised HSCN access. It is also designed to enable scalability and flexibility for future organisational and technological change.</p> <p>The contract was signed in March 2026 and will run until March 2031. Implementation&nbsp;has&nbsp;begun, with service go-live dates to be confirmed as part of the phased deployment programme.&nbsp;</p> <p>Commenting on the project, Afshin Attari, director of public sector and unified platforms at Exponential-e, said: “We are proud to partner with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver a modern, resilient and secure network infrastructure that supports the delivery of critical public services across the county.</p> <p>“By implementing a centrally managed SD-WAN architecture, the council will benefit from greater agility, enhanced security and improved operational resilience, while creating a scalable, sovereign platform capable of supporting future innovation and evolving digital service requirements.”&nbsp;</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about SD-WAN</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640937/Cato-Networks-unveils-modular-adoption-model-for-SASE-platform">Cato Networks unveils modular adoption model for SASE platform</a>: SD-WAN, SSE, AI security and UZTNA standalone modules at heart of a converged platform that unlocks operational simplicity, resilient connectivity and stronger security.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366634553/Qatar-Airways-checks-in-SD-WAN-to-take-operations-to-higher-altitude">Qatar Airways checks in SD-WAN to take operations to higher altitude</a>: MENA airline’s worldwide roll-out of airline technology provider’s software-defined wide-area network claimed to set a benchmark for aviation connectivity and performance.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366635495/SASE-SD-WAN-evolve-as-enterprises-prioritise-unified-network-security">SASE, SD-WAN evolve as enterprises prioritise unified network security</a>: Research confirms trend that software-defined wide-area network implementations are increasingly tied to security, with the continual rise of cyber security incidents worldwide only accelerating this dynamic.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366632181/Zen-Internet-launches-Meraki-to-deliver-SD-WAN-portfolio">Zen Internet launches Meraki to deliver SD-WAN portfolio</a>: Zen Internet introduces software-defined wide-area network offer to address needs of businesses as IT budgets come under increasing under pressure while cyber threats rise.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Lincolnshire County Council to replace legacy PSN infrastructure with unified, high-performing network environment, enabling greater agility https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Lincoln-City-Cathedral-Lincolnshire-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644316/Lincolnshire-County-Council-upgrades-wide-area-network-services Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:25:00 GMT <p>Workplace collaboration solutions provider Shure is enhancing its commitment to customers by providing “reliable, scalable meeting room solutions that easily standardise across Zoom workspaces and higher education” with the launch of its IntelliMix Collaboration Portfolio.</p> <p>Putting the launch into perspective, <a href="https://www.shure.com/en-GB">Shure</a> noted that when it comes to collaboration, most large organisations use both Microsoft Teams and Zoom across departments, workflows and regions, making interoperability more critical than standardising on a single platform. Furthermore, the partners believe that they are working in a world where <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366627997/PUMA-makes-tracks-to-cloud-based-telephony-on-Microsoft-Teams">Microsoft Teams</a> and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643234/Zoom-expands-AI-workflows-from-conversation-to-action">Zoom</a> are no longer seen as an either/or choice.</p> <p>Built to support the “growing role of human-AI collaboration” in meetings and learning, these offerings are attributed with enabling “consistent, high‑quality” audio capture to support more accurate inputs in <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643234/Zoom-expands-AI-workflows-from-conversation-to-action">Zoom AI</a>. Together, these solutions are said to give IT teams and audiovisual (AV) professionals a variety of choices for rapid deployment in standard rooms and flexible building blocks for complex spaces.</p> <p>Shure is one of the few providers with certified integrations across both Microsoft Teams and Zoom, something that it believes gives it a unique view into how enterprises are building platform-agnostic meeting environments. Through joint solutions, customers are seen as being able benefit from enterprise-grade security for meetings, lectures and collaboration in <a href="http://www.zoom.com/">Zoom</a>.</p> <p>“Our deep partnership with Zoom provides the foundation for enterprises and educators to build modern environments that evolve with AI, rather than being constrained by it,” said Wayne Driggers, director, strategic alliances at Shure. “Reliable, AI-powered communication starts with trust, and we want to ensure organisations feel confident when deploying the underlying infrastructure that empowers it.”</p> <p>Jeff Smith, head of product for workplace at Zoom, added: “The future of work demands spaces that are intelligent, connected and designed for the AI era. Shure’s IntelliMix Collaboration Portfolio amplifies the power of Zoom Rooms through clear, consistent audio that drives Zoom AI’s most essential capabilities across any room and any environment.”</p> <p>The IntelliMix Collaboration Portfolio offers the <a href="https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/video-conferencing/imxrk">IntelliMix&nbsp;Room Kits</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/video-conferencing/imxf5?variant=IMXF5">IntelliMix&nbsp;Foundation System</a> for Zoom Rooms. With IntelliMix Room Kits and the IntelliMix Foundation System, organisations are said to be able to gain a cohesive, integrated certified solution, backed by a strong partnership, comprehensive global support and future-ready technology.</p> <p>Shure IntelliMix Foundation system includes “an industry-first compute” with built-in IntelliMix RoomDSP software, alongside an intuitive touch panel. The compute is designed to reduce or replace the need for external DSP components while delivering “exceptional” audio for “very sophisticated” AV rooms.</p> <p>For IT teams that want straightforward deployment and scalability across standard meeting spaces, Shure said that customers have the option to choose their preferred pre-configured IntelliMix Room Kit, which includes the same compute and touch panel, the MXA902 Ceiling Array Microphone and Loudspeaker, and an intelligent camera from Huddly.</p> <p>With zero-touch provisioning, IT teams can choose deployments based on the room size – whether it is a small space that requires just one microphone and camera, or a larger room demanding different coverage areas and multi-camera options.</p> <p>Using ShureCloud or Zoom Device Management, IT teams and AV professionals can remotely monitor, manage and update systems in real time to help reduce operational overhead and streamline IT workflows.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about the new world of work</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643234/Zoom-expands-AI-workflows-from-conversation-to-action">Zoom expands AI workflows from conversation to action</a>: AI-first work platform provider adds series of artificial intelligence capabilities, shifting from tools designed to simply assist work to systems that actively help complete it.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366625707/Cisco-Live-2025-The-digital-workplace-gets-closer-to-distance-zero">The digital workplace gets closer to ‘distance zero’</a>: Research reveals disconnect between employer expectations and employee preferences around return-to-office policies in the new world of hybrid working, but also finds acceptance and uptake of cutting-edge collaboration tools.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638880/ISE-2026-Maxhub-unveils-partnerships-products-to-enrich-unified-collaboration">Maxhub unveils partnerships, products to enrich unified&nbsp;collaboration</a>: Provider of integrated commercial display and unified communications takes advantage of enterprise AV expo to announce further collaborations with tech leaders to create enhanced multimedia experiences.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366630716/Utelogy-Natilik-team-to-enhance-managed-meeting-collaboration-spaces">Utelogy and Natilik team to enhance managed meeting collaboration spaces</a>: Connected workspaces platform provider teams with digital transformation specialist to expand global reach with proactive monitoring and automation.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Partnership unveils more flexible solutions for Zoom Spaces to support the growing role of human-AI collaboration in meetings and learning, enabling ‘consistent, high‑quality’ audio capture https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/Zoom-Workplace-Meeting-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644106/Shure-Zoom-evolve-collaboration-with-flexible-workspaces Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:05:00 GMT <p>Looking to evolve traditional safety models, moving from reactive management to predictive management based on real-time data analysis using the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), Telefónica Tech, the global telco’s digital business unit, is partnering with Halotech to transform worker safety and industrial operations in the US.</p> <p>At its heart, the partnership will look to enable Telefónica to offer more and better services to its customers with the US launch of a technological solution that combines its managed IoT connectivity, via its Kite platform, with the functionalities of <a href="https://halotechs.com/en/halotech-ai-platform/">Halotech AI</a>. It is targeted, and can be adapted to different regulatory and industrial environments across various sectors and key areas of activity in the US, such as energy, construction, mining, refineries and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640649/Connectivity-to-the-fore-as-Sunderland-commits-to-2035-digital-strategy">smart cities</a>.</p> <p>The software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform has an integrated data analytics system, AI capabilities, and offers real-time support and historical reporting, providing management tools for the industry. It is designed to manage the occupational safety of field operators working in challenging environmental conditions within complex industrial settings.</p> <p>It integrates natively with the smart devices HALO I, a smart helmet for the mobility of the future; HALO III, the wearable adaptable to any operator; and HALO III+, an advanced version for demanding environments such as mines or oil rigs.</p> <p>Telefónica believes its IoT connectivity can ensure that HALO devices are always connected and transmit information in real time, while its <a href="https://telefonicatech.com/en/solutions/iot-connectivity/connectivity-services/kite-platform">Kite platform</a> facilitates the centralised management of these devices. Kite’s IoT Data Ready functionality sees use in transforming generated data into valuable insights and facilitates the integration, processing and secure transmission of this data from IoT devices to Halotech AI.</p> <p>Through this combination, the partners say the Halotech AI platform can offer advanced capabilities, such as SOS alerts, automatic fall detection, real-time geolocation, environmental monitoring (temperature, gases, noise or heat stress), smart virtual perimeters, risk zone control, anti-collision systems and the tracking of operators in the field.</p> <p>Data extracted from smart devices and processed using the Halotech AI platform facilitates real-time decision-making and predictive analysis, reducing workplace incidents by up to 60%. Furthermore, they can be used to help increase operational efficiency and workforce productivity, and ensure compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations, enabling organisations to transform occupational health and safety into a smart, connected operation governed by data.</p> <p>Furthermore, the two firms believe the implementation enables organisations to centrally manage the connected smart devices worn by their operators and extract data easily and securely for analysis using Kite and IoT Data Ready.</p> <p>“We are witnessing a structural shift in the way companies approach safety,” suggested Manuel Marín, global CEO of Halotech. “By combining Telefónica Tech’s global connectivity capabilities with Halotech’s AI, we are moving from reacting to incidents to anticipating and preventing them. Our mission is clear: to save lives, reduce risk and transform industrial operations on a large scale.”</p> <p>Luis Lepe Márquez, country manager for Telefónica Tech in the US, said: “The partnership with Halotech reinforces our commitment to building a safer society by doing what we do best – applying technology to the daily challenges faced by businesses – and represents a step forward in our aim to become the best gateway for citizens, businesses and public administrations to digital technologies.</p> <p>“By integrating Halotech AI into our portfolio in the US, we are empowering our clients to transform workers’ day-to-day activities into data in a seamless and straightforward manner, and to convert that data into actionable intelligence to improve safety and operational excellence within businesses.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about industrial IoT</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638922/Direct-to-device-connectivity-set-to-underpin-next-generation-of-industrial-IoT">Direct-to-device connectivity&nbsp;set to underpin next generation of industrial IoT</a>: Research from satellite comms firm finds D2D connectivity&nbsp;will underpin the next generation of industrial internet of things, with&nbsp;almost all&nbsp;IoT decision-makers set to adopt&nbsp;the technology in the next&nbsp;18 months.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637704/Restaurant-industry-gets-taste-for-IoT">Restaurant industry gets taste for IoT</a>: Back-of-house reliability emerges as a critical driver of front-of-house performance and profitability as restaurant industry puts IoT on the menu.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366612913/STMicroelectronics-Qualcomm-team-for-next-gen-industrial-IoT">STMicroelectronics, Qualcomm team for next-gen industrial IoT</a>: Strategic collaboration will pair STM32 microcontroller ecosystem and wireless connectivity solutions to allow simple, fast, and cost-effective design of next-gen industrial and consumer IoT applications augmented reality.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366619490/Dragonwing-take-flight-to-boost-Qualcomm-industrial-embedded-IoT-offer">Dragonwing take flight to boost industrial, embedded IoT offer</a>: Connected processor and artificial intelligence company establishes brand for suite of industrial and embedded IoT, enterprise and networking solutions.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Firms unite to offer advanced industrial safety solutions, combining IoT connectivity with AI-powered sensors, to anticipate risk situations https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/Telefonica-Halotech-Foto-casco-June-2026-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644043/Telefonica-Halotech-drive-smart-industrial-safety-with-IoT-AI Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:28:00 GMT <p>In another communications research triumph not just for the region as a whole but for the Finnish tech city in particular, the University of Oulu and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology have launched a joint 6G resilience programme to advance Europe’s technological sovereignty and societal security.</p> <p>The €4.3m, Swedish-Finnish joint undertaking, 6G-FISRE – Towards Resilient 6G Networks, is designed to unite leading academic, industrial and public-sector partners to <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/What-businesses-need-to-fix-now-to-avoid-expensive-6G-lock-ins">develop next-generation communication systems</a> that operate reliably under increasingly complex and uncertain conditions.</p> <p>At the heart of the programme is the principle that resilient digital infrastructure has become a strategic necessity. The researchers from the <a href="https://www.kth.se/en">Sweden’s largest technological university</a> and the <a href="https://www.oulu.fi/en">advanced communications hub in Finland</a> said that modern societies depend heavily on connectivity, yet communication networks remain vulnerable to cyber attacks, infrastructure failures and crises.</p> <p>The programme is looking to respond to these issues by advancing “resilient-by-design” <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639876/NVIDIA-teams-with-global-telecom-leaders-for-6G-development">6G technologies</a> that maintain continuity of critical services under adverse conditions, rather than treating resilience as an add-on after the fact. This, they said, is the same resilience that keeps civilian critical services running under stress and which is inherently dual-use, strengthening continuity in security- and defence-related operations across the Nordic region.&nbsp;</p> <p>The collaboration is said to build on “deep Nordic expertise and a long history of cooperation among the region’s wireless communications leaders” and to reflect a shared ambition to shape future global standards. Alongside the University of Oulu and KTH, the consortium includes Aalto University, Chalmers University of Technology, Luleå University of Technology, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Mobiles-next-generation-6G-development-finds-its-north-star">VTT Technical Research Centre</a> of Finland, Nokia, Ericsson, Bittium, Combient and Saab.</p> <p>The programme places particular emphasis on dual-use capabilities, designing 6G systems that serve civilian needs and security-related applications alike while influencing international technology development.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ultimately, the Finnish-Swedish partnership hopes to lay the foundation for broader Nordic and European engagement and position its members at the forefront of resilient communication systems for the digital future. The partners regard the effort as timely and nationally significant, with strong long-term potential to shape Europe’s 6G landscape.</p> <p>Outlining what he believes the project could achieve, Hirley Alves, a professor from the University of Oulu, said the programme would endeavour to design resilience in 6G from the ground up, ensuring critical services remain connected even during cyber attacks and disasters.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Mobile networks have always been built for speed and efficiency, not for surviving a crisis. Finland and Sweden have long been wireless pioneers, innovating in parallel,” he said. “By joining our research, industry and testbeds into a single programme, we turn two strong national efforts into a single Nordic force capable of shaping the global 6G standard.”</p> <p>James Gross, a professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, added: “Resilience can’t be bolted onto a network after it is built. It has to be engineered in and, increasingly, made autonomous, with AI that enables networks to sense risk, adapt, and heal themselves in real time.</p> <p>“What makes this collaboration different is that it finally brings together Sweden’s and Finland’s wireless strengths: two GSM pioneers moving from parallel efforts to a joint undertaking, with the scale and the shared voice to influence how resilient the world’s future networks will be.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about 6G</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643457/Ericsson-Telstra-team-for-Australian-6G-development">Ericsson and Telstra team up for Australian 6G development</a>: Australian operator and global comms tech provider join forces on 6G development work spanning research, standards and real-world testing looking to pave way for the next era of advanced connectivity.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643796/Direct-to-cell-growth-hits-headwinds-while-6G-set-for-rapid-uptake">Direct-to-cell growth hits headwinds while 6G set for rapid uptake</a>: Research predicts monthly active satcom users to reach over 130 million by 2031, but usage forecast to be lower than anticipated, while 6G services set to grow from 4.6 million in 2029 to 2.9 billion in 2035.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/What-businesses-need-to-fix-now-to-avoid-expensive-6G-lock-ins">What businesses need to fix now to avoid expensive 6G lock-ins</a>: 6G networks will be coming over the course of the next three to four years, offering more unprecedented capability than their predecessors, but this does not mean unprecedented amounts need to be spent to make them work for business.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643320/Nokia-KDDI-test-energy-efficient-6G-base-station-technology">Nokia, KDDI test energy-efficient 6G base station technology</a>: Challenger Japanese operator and comms tech provider demo intelligent 4D resource optimisation technology for base stations designed to realise sustainable 6G networks.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Finnish, Swedish researchers team to make 6G communication networks more capable, robust, secure and trusted through a programme offering a foundation for stable societies https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/6g-mobile-network-broadband-iaremenko-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644105/Finland-Sweden-strengthen-joint-6G-programme Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:25:00 GMT <p>Looking to extend the reach beyond the US of its artificial intelligence (AI) driver coaching safety solution – used to calculate fuel usage, compliance and equipment health – physical AI operations platform provider Motive is now offering UK drivers its AI Coach personalised driver teaching system.</p> <p>Launched two weeks ago at <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643370/Vision-26-Motive-offers-vision-of-new-era-of-physical-AI-operations">the developer’s annual technology conference</a>, the system is designed to deliver automatically personalised, high-quality feedback at scale using AI-generated coaching videos. Motive claims that UK fleet organisations can use the system to reduce coaching workloads by up to 100% while improving safety and performance, with fast, consistent guidance for every driver.</p> <p>In making the introduction to the UK, Motive said driver coaching is critical but hard to scale, especially in a country where rising insurance costs, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency">Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency</a> scrutiny and ongoing <a href="https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-training/getting-your-driver-cpc-card">Driver Certificate of Professional Competence</a> requirements are adding pressure to fleets.</p> <p>Moreover, Motive warned that driver retention has become a critical challenge across the entire physical economy. Citing <a href="https://zerity.co.uk/blog/contractor-recognition-retention-strategy">data from </a>the fleet management and compliance platform Zerity, it noted that large fleets, particularly in the UK, were seeing annual turnover rates as high as 60%&nbsp;and that losing a single driver costs organisations an average of £6,300.</p> <p>That means, for a fleet with 1,000 drivers, turnover costs could add up to nearly £4m annually. On top of that, the UK is facing a projected HGV driver shortage of 200,000 by 2030, which threatens the 82% of domestic goods that are moved by road freight in the UK.</p> <p>Furthermore, Motive warned that in many fleets, coaching still focuses on mistakes, while recognition remains manual, inconsistent and difficult to scale. The result is disengaged drivers who are more likely to leave, and challenges in recruiting new talent.</p> <p>Another issue identified by Motive was that safety managers often oversee hundreds or thousands of drivers, and yet some managers spend less than&nbsp;<a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ktWVCVO5NBcXDn7m8CEF1cENtT6?domain=theconsultingreport.com" href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ktWVCVO5NBcXDn7m8CEF1cENtT6?domain=theconsultingreport.com">one-third</a> of their time on people management, including coaching sessions. Even when coaching does occur, consistency and accuracy are difficult to maintain, and without timely, personalised feedback, unsafe behaviour is repeated.</p> <p>AI Coach is designed to automatically select the safety events that have the highest impact on a driver’s score and are the most severe, to give drivers context on what they can do to improve and why it matters. It’s embedded in <a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/X9AWCXD7MEUGxP1jZcQIncWwGKz?domain=gomotive.com/" href="https://gomotive.com/en-gb/products/workforce-management/">Motive Workforce Management</a>, the company’s centralised&nbsp;AI-powered platform&nbsp;that digitises and automates critical workforce processes.</p> <p>The system delivers automatic, personalised AI-generated coaching videos each week through the Motive Dashboard and Driver App. Coaching videos deliver reinforcement to recognise where the driver did well, as well as actionable feedback to offer continuous <a href="https://gomotive.com/en-gb/products/driver-safety/">improvement in&nbsp;driver safety&nbsp;and performance</a>.</p> <p>Fleets can choose from a number of pre-generated avatars or record a custom avatar to provide personalised video messages that increase engagement and retention. Personalised feedback is attributed with being able to help reduce risk and reinforce safe behaviours sooner. Automated text messages and push notifications are designed to remind drivers to review their weekly feedback recaps, reducing manual follow-ups.</p> <p>Commenting on the launch, Nyanya Joof, regional vice-president of UK markets at Motive, said: “Gaps in driver coaching put organisations at risk of preventable incidents. But driver coaching only works if it is accurate and trusted by drivers. AI Coach uses high-precision AI to automatically send personalised coaching videos, which can greatly reduce manager workload while improving safety and driver engagement.”</p> <p>Adam Fox, operations manager at <a href="https://www.beelinecoaches.co.uk/">bus operator Beeline</a>, said it had previously spent several hours reviewing incidents and doing one-on-one coaching long after the fact. “With Motive’s AI Coach, automatic personalised coaching comes from a familiar face and helps us provide feedback at a scale we didn’t think was possible,” he added. “Always reliable and accurate, AI Coach helps us keep our drivers safe and reduce our incident rate.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about fleet technology</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639466/Connectivity-AI-drive-fleet-safety-productivity-and-decision-making">Connectivity, AI drive fleet safety, productivity and decision-making</a>: Report into state of fleet technology across US reveals three key priorities for the year: increasing productivity, reducing costs and enhancing driver safety – with AI and connected technology serving as engines and usage-based insurance.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366636775/Aftermarket-car-telematics-arena-drives-past-90-million-subscriptions">Aftermarket car telematics arena drives past 90 million subscriptions</a>: Study of aftermarket car telematics finds growing value in technology for application areas including stolen vehicle tracking and recovery, vehicle diagnostics, Wi-Fi hotspots and convenience applications.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641036/North-America-drives-video-telematics-market-to-22-million-units-by-2030">North America drives video telematics market to 22 million units by 2030</a>: Study from M2M/IoT market research firm finds installed base of active video telematics systems growing at a steady clip, driven by North America and camera technology enhancements.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366622974/Video-telematics-systems-set-for-solid-growth-in-North-America-Europe">Video telematics systems set for solid growth in North America, Europe</a>: Research from dedicated machine-to-machine and IoT analyst finds integration of cameras in commercial vehicle environments will be a significant trend for fleet telematics.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Connected vehicle solution deploys AI to deliver high-impact, personalised video feedback at scale, dynamically tailoring each script to drivers’ needs https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/Motive-AI-Omnicam-Plus-2026-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644252/Motive-AI-Coach-connected-vehicle-tech-drives-into-UK Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT <p>While Wi-Fi consistently maintains its status as the last-mile workhorse that carries the vast majority of indoor internet traffic, the market is evolving in the face of fragmentation with 5 GHz remaining the “Wi-Fi workhorse” as global 6 GHz use is patchy, especially in European markets which are showing low 6 GHz use and disparities in advanced Wi-Fi adoption, according to research from Ookla.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ookla.com/articles/global-state-of-wi-fi-2026?utm_source=email&amp;utm_medium=Press&amp;utm_campaign=Wi-Fi"><em>Global state of Wi-Fi report</em></a> showed that Wi-Fi is now supporting an increasingly dense network environment of smart home systems, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642413/Eseye-boosts-global-IoT-resilience-with-SGP32-eSIM-orchestration">enterprise internet of things (IoT) endpoints</a> and security infrastructure. Yet while the demands of all these applications on Wi-Fi continue to diversify, the active end-user experience is ultimately governed by the device used most frequently – the smartphone.</p> <p>The research was based on <a href="https://www.speedtest.net/">Ookla Speedtest data</a> from Android devices to track the proliferation of the different generations of Wi-Fi (from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 7) within the global installed base of customer premise equipment (CPE). In particular, it examined the growth in <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366624494/European-Wi-Fi-firms-make-their-call-for-6GHz-spectrum">use of 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi</a>, as well as the emergence of CPE supporting Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be).</p> <p>Globally, there was a clear trend over the past four years covered in the research, based on Speedtest data – Wi-Fi 4 has been in rapid decline, with Wi-Fi 6 the net recipient, and Wi-Fi 7 beginning to scale only in the most advanced markets. Research firm Omdia forecasts that consumer Wi-Fi 7 CPE will ramp up from 3.6% of the global installed base in 2025, at a CAGR of 35.2%, to reach an installed base of 13.8% by 2030.</p> <p>Among the key takeaways were that despite the recent plethora of <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642758/Extreme-Connect-26-Wi-Fi-7-line-aims-to-address-needs-of-6GHz-era">launches of Wi-Fi 7</a> technology, it remains&nbsp;nascent&nbsp;in most markets with Singapore having the highest percentage of Wi-Fi 7 users (25%) in the world.</p> <p>The latter was attributed to the city state government’s push to upgrade home broadband speeds to 10 Gbps by educating consumers that their old Wi-Fi 6 or 6E routers wouldn’t be able to achieve those speeds. In addition, Singapore’s telcos have actively bundled Wi-Fi 7 hardware into their 10 Gbps broadband subscriptions, helping drive adoption.</p> <p>Overall global Speedtest data showed that Wi-Fi 7 was emerging with slightly less than 2% share of samples in Q1 2026. It also showed Wi-Fi 6 rising from just 6% in Q1 2022 to 27% in Q1 2026, as well as the gradual decline of older Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 4 generations, which fell to 39% and 34% respectively.</p> <p>Oookla said that there are many factors behind what appears to be a slow adoption curve for the latest Wi-Fi generation. It observed that development of the Wi-Fi 7 standard (802.11be) began with an initial draft in March 2021, and while early commercially available Wi-Fi 7 devices were released in early 2023, they were based on draft standards, with the final version published in July 2025.</p> <p>Looking at use of spectrum bands for Wi-Fi, the study found that newly introduced 6 GHz frequency had seen pockets of progress, but remained subscale globally, capturing just 1.7% share of samples. The 5 GHz spectrum band remained the de facto Wi-Fi band of choice, with just under 60% of Wi-Fi users globally connecting to it. This was said to be primarily because the lower portion of the 5 GHz band is available for unlicensed use in nearly every country in the world.</p> <p>Interestingly, the study revealed that Wi-Fi 7 adoption has been impacted by the availability of the 6 GHz band, which lends it most of its throughput headroom, but assignment of which is fragmented globally.</p> <p>In the first quarter of 2024, 2.2% of Speedtest users in the key North America region were connecting via the 6 GHz band, compared with Q1 2026 when 13.8% were connecting on that band. This represented a sixfold increase in 2 years. The analyst noted that early allocation of the band, and ISP deployment of 6 GHz CPE has helped drive adoption. At the same time, it said that it was seeing Wi-Fi usage in the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands declining strongly in the region.</p> <p>Despite early regional moves to open lower frequencies, Europe’s 6 GHz band utilisation is capped at a lowly 1.6%. This migration – described as “sluggish” – was said to be masking “significant” country-level fragmentation in the adoption of advanced Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6 + 7). Switzerland led the region with 58.7% modern Wi-Fi share, well ahead of lagging markets such as Czechia (31.1%) and Ireland (30.7%).</p> <p>In Latin America, despite widespread regulatory adoption of the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi, real-world utilisation remained at a nominal 0.1% in Q1 2026. Ookla said this indicated a lag in commercial deployments across the region.</p> <p>Another key finding of the study was that the typical consumer device lifecycle is not a bottleneck for advanced Wi-Fi, as the majority (61.4%) of global Speedtest samples from Android devices support modern Wi-Fi 6 or newer generations. However, the analyst noted that surging datacentre demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure – specifically high-performance memory and processing units – has inflated component costs across the global semiconductor supply chain, increasing bill-of-materials pressures for both smartphone and CPE manufacturers.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about Wi-Fi</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Can-enterprise-AI-in-Singapore-succeed-without-WiFi-7">Can enterprise AI in Singapore succeed without Wi‑Fi 7?</a>: Enterprises are quickly discovering that their wireless infrastructure is the real barrier to AI readiness. To achieve true transformation, it is time to stop relying on legacy networks and treat Wi-Fi 7 as a business enabler.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642758/Extreme-Connect-26-Wi-Fi-7-line-aims-to-address-needs-of-6GHz-era">Wi-Fi 7 line aims to address needs of 6GHz era</a>: Wi-Fi 7 access points designed to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity and key deployment made at University of Florida arena.</li> <li><a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/tip/Why-Wi-Fi-7-is-crucial-for-enterprise-AI">Why Wi-Fi 7 is crucial for enterprise AI</a>: Wi-Fi 7’s MLO, wider channels and improved MU-MIMO provide the speed and reliability AI systems need to train faster and generate insights more efficiently.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639493/Alcatel-Lucent-looks-to-make-Wi-Fi-7-affordable-for-everyday-connectivity">Alcatel-Lucent looks to make Wi-Fi 7 affordable for everyday connectivity</a>: Enterprise networking and communication services provider offers entry-level access point based on latest wireless standard to deliver advanced wireless capabilities at a cost-effective price.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Study reveals wireless internet market in flux with Wi-Fi 4 in rapid decline, Wi-Fi 6 the net recipient, and Wi-Fi 7 beginning to scale but only in the most advanced markets   https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Wi-Fi-network-hardware-escapejaja-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644058/Wi-Fi-7-gains-ground-but-advanced-Wi-Fi-standards-lag-in-Europe Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:09:00 GMT <p>Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) is calling for UK planning rules to be updated to ensure mobile network operators can provide reliable coverage in London after warning that planning delays are putting the capital’s mobile growth at risk as buildings that currently host mobile equipment are redeveloped.</p> <p><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638763/Virgin-Media-O2-accelerates-automation-across-mobile-network">VMO2</a> said it has been forced to switch off dozens of cell sites across the capital as current planning regulations mean operators can be ordered to remove infrastructure within 18 months, while replacement sites can take years to secure.</p> <p>This means mobile operators are having to remove equipment from buildings faster than it can be replaced, resulting in a slow erosion of mobile coverage and capacity in parts of London. This is leaving busy areas blighted by poor quality communication, despite operators being ready to deploy new sites.</p> <p>Current planning regulations allow developers looking to rebuild or revamp a building that currently houses mobile equipment to serve a mobile operator with a “notice to quit” within 18 months, even though, on average, it takes more than two years to replace a site.</p> <p>Moreover, while planning red tape holds up the deployment of masts in various locations, VMO2 emphasised that in London, there are typically few viable alternative sites nearby or lengthy approval processes for sites that are suitable, which is causing coverage gaps and weak mobile signals for customers.</p> <p>Explaining that it was “sounding the alarm” on the issue, VMO2 said it was acting after being told to vacate key sites in the City and West End, leaving high footfall areas with reduced coverage despite the operator having the equipment and investment ready to deploy new sites and plug the gaps.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Mobile connectivity overlooked in planning process"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Mobile connectivity overlooked in planning process</h2> <p>The company stressed that operators are experiencing delays in securing approval for replacement locations, which means alternative sites are not being found fast enough. And, <a href="https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2025/06/UNISON-planning-for-change-2025.pdf">citing data from UK trade union Unison</a>, it suggested that with just one in five planning departments across the UK fully staffed, delays in decision-making are leaving many areas without sufficient coverage.</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> Mobile operators are being hit by a double whammy as developers force them to remove mobile equipment while also bringing more people into an area, all of whom rely on their phones </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Robert Joyce, VMO2</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>To compound the problem, VMO2 believes that many new developments are being built with little consideration of their impact on mobile connectivity. It added that while tall buildings may block existing masts and bring more people into an area – most of whom will want to use their phones – developers are not required to assess how a project will impact mobile services or support operators in finding alternative sites.</p> <p>This, argued the operator, is creating a perfect storm for mobile connectivity in London, which now has fewer than seven 5G sites per 10,000 people –&nbsp; according to a study from UK mobile trade body Mobile UK – lagging behind other major cities and falling short of what’s needed for a thriving capital.</p> <p><a href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5b7ab54b285dec5c113ee24d/69b80f957b0b06441977b080_Small-Changes-Big-Rewards.pdf">The trade association also recently published a report</a> that found small changes to the planning system could unlock up to £230bn for the economy by 2035 while freeing up local authority planning teams to tackle other issues like housebuilding.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="VMO2 suggests improvements to planning rules"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>VMO2 suggests improvements to planning rules</h2> <p>Convinced that targeted changes to planning rules will make a big difference to mobile coverage, VMO2 is now calling for them to be updated to ensure operators can provide reliable coverage in the capital.</p> <p>Among the updates called for is a commitment to ensuring <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2">the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework</a> “clearly” prioritises telecommunications infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, alongside reducing the number of applications requiring full planning or prior approval to ease pressure on local authorities.</p> <p>The operator is also calling for greater flexibility to deploy infrastructure more efficiently, including encouraging the use of rooftops, particularly in conservation areas, and increasing the number of antennas permitted under existing rules to enable <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366631320/VMO2-5G-Standalone-network-reaches-500-UK-locations">faster 4G and 5G upgrades</a>.</p> <p>Virgin Media O2 additionally believes that new developments should be required to consider their impact on mobile connectivity from the outset, ensuring appropriate infrastructure is incorporated early in the process to maintain and enhance coverage. The operator has submitted these policy requests to the UK government as part of its National Planning Policy Framework consultation, with a response expected in the coming months.</p> <p>Commenting on the issue and potential solution, Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at VMO2, said: “Mobile operators are being hit by a double whammy as developers force them to remove mobile equipment while also bringing more people into an area, all of whom rely on their phones.</p> <p>“With planning teams under real pressure, delays in approving replacement sites are having a direct impact on customer experience in parts of the capital, which poses a real risk to London’s long-term growth prospects. Planning rules must evolve so that this investment goes into building infrastructure and delivering a reliable network for customers – not into delays, fees and compromised site choices.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about UK mobile</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639059/UK-government-calls-for-review-into-mobile-market">UK government calls for review into mobile market</a>: UK government creates programme to anticipate how the mobile market, and technologies that underpin it, will evolve over the next decade.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643663/EE-accelerates-UK-5G-roll-out-teams-with-Meta-to-boost-mobile-video">EE accelerates UK 5G+ roll-out and teams with Meta to boost mobile video</a>: UK mobile provider activates advanced 5G connectivity at more than 25 major events and in more than 30 tourist destinations, and teams with social media giant to bring about smoother video.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639281/Improved-UK-mobile-could-add-66bn-to-economy">Improved UK mobile could add £6.6bn to economy</a>: Research finds improved mobile connectivity could deliver massive annual boost to UK economy by enabling tens of thousands of new businesses.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366636757/UK-mobile-improves-but-digital-divides-persist">UK mobile improves but digital divides persist</a>: Mobile network analyst finds UK-wide median mobile download speed rose 15% year-on-year to 63.03Mbps in 2025, while upload speeds improved from 7.80 to 8.21Mbps.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> The UK capital is losing mobile coverage in some of its busiest areas as operators are being forced to close cell sites faster than replacements can be secured https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/London-landmarks-silhouette-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644194/London-not-calling-as-planning-regs-mar-mobile-development Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:07:00 GMT <p>A year after its initial pledge to help create inclusive, digital opportunities across the UK &amp; Ireland, and following its launch of a platform offering a new way to run critical infrastructure, Cisco has forged a strategic collaboration with the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to use artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital technologies to help drive economic growth, improve public services and build digital skills.</p> <p>At its heart, the initiative directly supports the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-opportunities-action-plan/ai-opportunities-action-plan">UK government’s AI opportunities action plan</a>, and is designed to bring together Cisco’s technology expertise, skills programmes and wider ecosystem with DSIT’s national policy initiatives. It also complements the Cisco June 2025 <a href="https://gblogs.cisco.com/uki/delivering-on-our-promise-one-year-of-the-cisco-uk-ireland-manifesto/">UK &amp; Ireland Manifesto</a> in which the networking giant make a commitment to help everyone benefit from a more digitally inclusive society.</p> <p>This memorandum of understanding (MoU), which outlines a framework through to 2030, aims to build on what has been achieved so far, helping to address the gap between AI ambition and large-scale adoption, focusing on practical deployment rather than theoretical potential.</p> <p>A year on from its commitment, Cisco said that it has delivered tangible progress across the three areas at the heart of that pledge: growing its presence in communities, developing digital skills and activating its people and partners.</p> <p>A key part of the collaboration to further establish Barnsley as the UK’s first Tech Town. The initiative seeks to apply AI in real-world settings where infrastructure, public services and skills come together. The collaboration aims to identify projects that can use AI capabilities, Cisco technology and skills courses to support progress for Barnsley’s local economy and citizens. With an initial 18-month pilot phase, the aim is to create a blueprint that could deliver similar benefits in other parts of the UK.</p> <p>As part of the Tech Town initiative, through the Lister alliance, Cisco plans to explore the viability of<b>&nbsp;</b>a healthcare Living Lab in Barnsley to help public sector organisations, academia and industry partners work together on emerging technologies in real-world settings. The aim is to create an environment to co-produce solutions – initially focused on improving how outpatient appointments are managed and the delivery of <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/feature/Telehealth-playbook-aims-to-bolster-rural-hospitals-amid-funding-crisis">virtual care</a>. Learnings are expected to be shared with other NHS trusts.</p> <p>The MoU also looks to strengthens support for the government’s TechFirst programme, which aims to give one million secondary school students access to technology and AI learning experiences.</p> <p>Cisco plans to contribute to these efforts through at least 8,000 hours of employee volunteering over four years; programmes to inspire into tech careers; work experience opportunities for students across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow; dedicated pathways placements; university-level and T-Level placements. Cisco also plans to explore research opportunities for PhD candidates and aim to expand access to the Cisco Networking Academy for schools and colleges.</p> <p>Commenting on the partnership, Cisco UK &amp; Ireland chief executive Sarah Walker said: “We believe a digital society that works for everyone isn’t out of reach. Neither is it the responsibility of one group of people or organisations. That is why collaboration matters. Today’s announcement marks a year of progress towards our commitment to help create a more inclusive, digital UK and Ireland, with a clear path to future impact.”</p> <p>UK AI minister Kanishka Narayan added: “Partnerships like this one with Cisco are exactly what will power the UK's AI future. By combining world-class expertise with our ambition to upskill 10 million people by 2030, we can make sure that the benefits of AI aren’t just felt in boardrooms and tech hubs, but in classrooms, hospitals and high streets right across the country.”</p> <p>In addition, Cisco said that it has helped 100,000 people develop their skills through Cisco Networking Academy in the past year alone, the equivalent of five years of progress in one year and a “significant step” towards its target of one million learners in the UK by 2030.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about education and training in networking</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/post/CIOs-must-support-multi-cloud-training-for-network-engineers">CIOs must support multi-cloud training for network engineers</a>: Many enterprises are shifting to multicloud environments, but they must enable proper training. Here's how they can be proactive and support multi-cloud network training.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/How-AI-is-being-used-to-manage-networks">How AI is being used to manage networks</a>: Network management is becoming reliant on artificial intelligence-enabled tools, which use machine learning based on network monitoring data.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Kazakhstan-Where-data-is-set-to-be-the-real-new-oil">Kazakhstan - Where data is set to be the real new oil</a>: Spanning huge distances, Kazakhstan has amassed riches from beneath its ground and its ability to launch rockets into space above. Yet the country sees its future prosperity in exploiting digital riches.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/microscope/news/252523463/Extreme-Networks-puts-emphasis-on-training">Extreme Networks puts emphasis on training</a>: Vendor Extreme Networks enhances partner programme with an emphasis on encouraging partners to get certifications and increase their technical training.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Networking giant and UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announce strategic collaboration to help increase AI adoption and widen access to digital skills https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/training-fotalia.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643929/UK-government-and-Cisco-unveil-AI-digital-skills-initiative Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:58:00 GMT <p>As Anthropic looks to allow global critical infrastructure providers to secure their systems by giving controlled access to Claude Mythos Preview, BT has become the first UK company to confirm its membership of the AI provider’s Project Glasswing programme to beef up protection against cyber security threats for its networks and customers.</p> <p>In essence, <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing">Project Glasswing</a> brings together critical infrastructure providers to secure the data and systems that underpin services. It is designed to allow trusted organisations to use Anthropic’s AI systems to rapidly identify vulnerabilities and secure the world’s most critical software before criminals can take advantage.</p> <p>Founder members of the initiative include Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643320/Nokia-KDDI-test-energy-efficient-6G-base-station-technology">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;and Palo Alto Networks.</p> <p>The consortium formed Project Glasswing because of the capabilities observed in the <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/news/366642478/Claude-Mythos-Preview-and-the-new-rules-of-cybersecurity">Claude Mythos Preview</a>, which Anthropic says has changed the rules of cyber security. Indeed, it is said to have revealed the stark fact that AI models have reached a level of coding capability where they can surpass all but the most skilled humans in finding and exploiting software vulnerabilities.</p> <p>Indeed, it is said to have found thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities already, including some in every major operating system and web browser. Anthropic believes that given the rate of AI progress, it will not be long before such capabilities proliferate, potentially beyond actors who are committed to deploying them safely.</p> <p>The fallout – for economies, public safety and national security – could be severe. At the recent <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643860/Cisco-Live-26-networks-the-key-in-post-Mythos-world">Cisco Live expo</a>, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said that from a technological, geopolitical and business perspective, the world was moving faster than at any time before, and a key driver of this change was the release of the <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/feature/Take-a-breath-A-CISOs-Claude-Mythos-advice-for-CIOs">Mythos AI tool, revealing companies’ strengths and weaknesses in the AI era</a>.</p> <p>One major result has been the increased engagement of CEOs in technology decision-making. Robbins was adamant that traditions and norms have gone for his fellow CEOs as they try to meet the Mythos moment and simply have to invest in step-change technologies.</p> <p>“We’re in a full-out sprint. In the world we live in today, in the last half hour, a new model could have been launched, and we’d all be scrambling; an attacker might have taken down some major system; some political statement could have caused a seismic shift in the global geopolitical landscape. This is what we’re dealing with,” he said.</p> <p>As part of Project Glasswing, the launch partners listed above will use Mythos Preview as part of their defensive security work. The consortium has also extended access to a group of over 40 additional firms that build or maintain critical software infrastructure so they can use the model to scan and secure both first-party and open source systems. Anthropic is committing up to $100m in usage credits for Mythos Preview across these efforts, as well as $4m in direct donations to open source security firms.</p> <p>Opening the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-partner-with-tech-companies-trade-unions-and-industry-leaders-to-boost-ai-adoption-and-equip-workers-with-ai-skills">UK government’s AI Adoption Summit</a>, BT chief executive Allison Kirkby stressed the importance of <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643464/Record-fibre-connections-but-BT-posts-mixed-2026-financial-year">future-ready networks that are secure, resilient and safe</a> to realise the benefits of AI, and emphasised BT’s commitment to developing UK capability in digital sovereignty and to ensuring responsible adoption of AI.</p> <p>BT emphasised <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640491/Google-Cloud-Openreach-expand-connectivity-collaboration">the critical role of connectivity in ensuring the UK can seize the growth potential of AI.</a></p> <p>“AI only works at scale when it is underpinned by future-ready networks that are secure, resilient and safe. [BT is committed] to working with government to support the further development and deployment of sovereign British AI capability, so that the UK can be an AI maker and not just a taker, [and to acting as an] enabler of responsible adoption and a responsible adopter ourselves in AI,” it said.</p> <p>BT added that its participation in Project Glasswing reflects its role in securing the UK’s critical national infrastructure, and as one of the country’s leading providers of security managed services. The company said it currently prevents four million cyber attacks across its networks every day, underlining the scale of the threat and the importance of staying ahead of it.</p> <p>“AI is changing cyber security fast, and businesses need trusted partners who can help them stay one step ahead,” noted BT Business CEO Jon James. “By joining Project Glasswing, BT will strengthen its own cyber security capability to protect our networks, our customers and the wider UK.”</p> <p>BT Business provides AI-powered cyber security solutions, including <a href="https://newsroom.bt.com/bt-arms-small-businesses-with-industrial-grade-security-to-address-the-uks-cyber-resilience-gap/">new products for small businesses</a>, and recently announced a <a href="https://newsroom.bt.com/bt-business-collaborates-with-accenture-to-supercharge-ai-deployment/">collaboration with Accenture</a> to develop advanced AI-powered cyber operations to respond to cyber threats at machine speed.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI in networking</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/How-AI-is-being-used-to-manage-networks">How AI is being used to manage networks</a>: Network management is becoming reliant on artificial intelligence-enabled tools, which use machine learning based on network monitoring data.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643917/AI-boom-creates-connectivity-challenge-for-integrators">AI boom creates connectivity challenge for integrators</a>: Whitepaper from connectivity expert Altnets highlights growing infrastructure pressure, as artificial intelligence demand reshapes the future of digital economies.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643106/Colt-expands-network-in-Istanbul-to-support-AIready-infrastructure">Colt expands network in Istanbul to support AI‑ready infrastructure</a>: Global digital infrastructure provider expands major connectivity hub for Asia and Europe, allowing local and international users to access wider portfolio of scalable networking services.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643370/Vision-26-Motive-offers-vision-of-new-era-of-physical-AI-operations">Motive offers vision of new era of physical AI operations</a>: New products aim to shift operational burden from people to technology, automating ‘busy work’ so fleets can prioritise strategic safety, productivity and profitability.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Comms provider becomes the first UK company to confirm it has joined AI provider’s Project Glasswing scheme https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/BT-small-business-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644132/BT-looks-to-strengthen-network-defences-with-Project-Glasswing Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:52:00 GMT <p>After<b> </b>generating significant <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637470/2025-a-record-year-for-CityFibre">commercial and technological momentum over the past 12 months</a>, UK independent full-fibre platform CityFibre has revealed that it has connected over one million premises to its multi-gigabit broadband network.</p> <p>Over the past decade, <a href="https://cityfibre.com/">CityFibre</a> has built a full-fibre digital infrastructure that now reaches nearly five million premises, delivering multi-gigabit speeds, unrivalled capacity and much-needed competition.</p> <p>Claiming to be the UK’s largest independent wholesale network, it is the host network for several leading gigabit broadband providers, including Sky, Vodafone and TalkTalk, along with dozens of challenger brands.</p> <p>Alongside its full-fibre broadband services, CityFibre is also a provider of critical national infrastructure, and has contracts with mobile operators, enterprises and local authorities to connect almost 16,000 UK sites, including schools, hospitals and GP surgeries.</p> <p>As part of its stated commitment to connect every part of the community, CityFibre also announced a digital literacy initiative, with plans to reach more than one million primary-age learners with a digital toolkit to build confidence, curiosity and foundational digital skills. Working in partnership with education experts at <a href="https://www.8billionideas.com/">8billionideas</a>, the initiative will roll out The Tech Toolkit – a creative, classroom-ready resource – to around 5,000 schools each year to reach one million primary school children by 2030.</p> <p>Commenting on the landmark number of connections, CityFibre CEO Simon Holden said: “We have built a <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640022/CityFibre-AllPoints-Fibre-introduce-multi-gigabit-FTTP">nationwide, full-fibre network</a> to be proud of and, today, CityFibre is trusted by millions to power their digital lives. The UK shifted up a gear with the arrival of the altnets, and CityFibre continues to challenge the incumbents and deliver the benefits of competition to households, businesses and partners right across the country.”</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> CityFibre is trusted by millions to power their digital lives. The UK shifted up a gear with the arrival of the altnets, and CityFibre continues to challenge the incumbents and deliver the benefits of competition to households, businesses and partners right across the country </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Simon Holden, CityFibre</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>UK telecoms minister Liz Lloyd added: “This milestone shows the difference the government’s pro-investment environment is making, helping bring fast, reliable broadband to homes and businesses in some of the UK’s hardest-to-reach communities.</p> <p>“Our investment in broadband infrastructure, including through Project Gigabit, is helping companies like CityFibre reach more communities, faster. We’ll continue to remove barriers to roll-out, and back the investment needed to deliver the digital infrastructure people rely on every day – whether that’s working, learning, running a business, or staying connected with friends and family.”</p> <p>The milestone in connectivity follows a strong 2025 for the company, with <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637470/2025-a-record-year-for-CityFibre">yearly trading results showing new highs</a> in customer growth and profitability.</p> <p>For the year ended 31 December 2025, it reported revenues of £170m, up 25% year-on-year, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by 460% to £29m, reflecting accelerated take-up across the network. In addition, CityFibre exited the year strongly, with annualised run rates over the fourth quarter of £200m revenue and over £50m adjusted Ebitda.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the end of the year, CityFibre had exceeded 20% penetration across its consumer footprint, with more than 70% of the households that are switching broadband provider moving onto the CityFibre network where available. The fourth quarter saw an average of more than 50,000 new customers installed each month, a 112% increase year-on-year.</p> <p>In March 2026, as part of its aim to bring multi-gigabit broadband speeds to millions of UK homes and businesses, CityFibre launched an 8.5Gb product across its UK-wide full-fibre network, looking to provide internet service providers on its network with “game-changing services” that “power innovation and growth” for businesses and the UK economy.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about UK broadband</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642976/Thousands-of-Essex-premises-to-gain-upgraded-broadband">Thousands of Essex premises to gain upgraded broadband</a>: Latest part of £5bn ultrafast broadband development scheme sees expansion of gigabit roll-out to cover full-fibre blackspots in urban areas, as well as the countryside.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639950/Altnets-force-to-be-reckoned-with-in-UK-broadband">Altnets ‘force to be reckoned with’ in UK broadband</a>: Research shows peers reaching around 19.7 million premises, with more than 3.5 million live connections, outperforming the major providers on customer satisfaction and value.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640374/UK-government-unveils-gigabit-broadband-upgrade-tracker">UK government unveils gigabit broadband upgrade tracker</a>: As full-fibre broadband deployments maintain steady pace across the nation, UK government introduces tool to allow businesses across England and Wales to discover if they are due a government-backed broadband service.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640321/Ofcom-sets-out-regulation-to-push-UK-gigabit-broadband-to-final-phase">Ofcom sets out regulation to push UK gigabit broadband to ‘final phase’</a>: UK communications regulator lays down regulation required to drive full-fibre roll-out through its end phase to universal access across the country, aiming to allow businesses to&nbsp;unlock economic&nbsp;gains.</li> </ul> </div> </div> UK’s largest independent full-fibre platform announces significant landmark with the number of premises connected to its UK-wide broadband network now hitting seven figures https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/CityFibre-connection-hero.png https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643869/CityFibre-breaks-one-million-connections-barrier Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT <p>Anyone making predictions about IT and networking will inevitably come up against a major problem – the pace of development is so quick that it is difficult to make accurate estimations. There is also a prediction that seems axiomatic, in that network management will rely increasingly – if not exclusively at some point – on artificial intelligence (AI).&nbsp;</p> <p>AI is being deployed to observe and gain insight from a host of networking operations, including, but not limited to, configuration data, messages from devices and monitoring data. Companies can rely on the fact that AI “knows” how networks should be operating and will send alerts when they do not operate as expected, as well as explaining why and suggesting ways to resolve these issues.&nbsp;</p> <p>Inevitably, it seems that any conversation about the power of AI in networking must start with Nvidia and its CEO <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640515/Nvidia-workforce-to-be-dominated-by-AI-agents-in-a-decade">Jensen Huang</a>. When it comes to predictions, the AI company’s founder has been consistently on the money – almost literally – for a long while. &nbsp;</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/The-skys-the-limit-with-the-two-sides-of-AI-and-networking" rel="noopener">At a tech conference in 2024</a>, Huang said the era of generative AI (GenAI) had already arrived, and that enterprises must engage with “the single most consequential technology in history”, noting that what was happening was the greatest fundamental computing platform transformation in 60 years, encompassing general-purpose computing to accelerated computing. &nbsp;</p> <p>For Huang, the key to success is making use of the vast amounts of data that enterprises generate through the deployment of AI tools and services. This means a radical shift in what IT organisations within businesses do. &nbsp;</p> <p>“We’re sitting on a mountain of data – all of us. We’ve been collecting it in our businesses for a long time. But until now, we haven’t had the ability to refine that, then discover insight and codify it automatically into our company’s natural experience, our digital intelligence. Every company is going to be an intelligence manufacturer. Every company is built on domain-specific intelligence. For the very first time, we can now digitise that intelligence and turn it into our AI – the corporate AI,” he observed.&nbsp;</p> <p>“AI is a lifecycle that lives forever. What we are looking to do is turn our corporate intelligence into digital intelligence. Once we do that, we connect our data and our AI flywheel so that we collect more data, harvest more insight and create better intelligence. This allows us to provide better services or to be more productive, run faster, be more efficient and do things at a larger scale.”&nbsp;</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Making strides towards autonomous networks"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Making strides towards autonomous networks</h2> <p>Today, network management and network operations are indeed being done at a faster rate. In February 2026, Nvidia’s fourth annual <i><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/lp/industries/telecommunications/state-of-ai-in-telecom-survey-report/" rel="noopener">State of AI in telecommunications</a> </i>survey concluded that AI has already accelerated how AI is driving enterprise transformation, unlocking new business and revenue opportunities.&nbsp;</p> <p>Respondents encompassed a range of industry segments, including internet service providers, independent software suppliers, network equipment providers, consulting service providers, operators and systems integrators. The study showed AI has a tangible revenue impact and return on investment (ROI). The top AI use cases cited by respondents were AI for autonomous networks (50%), improved customer service (41%) and internal process optimisation (33%).&nbsp;</p> <p>Overall, around nine out of 10 respondents said AI was helping to increase revenue and reduce costs. Operators, representing about a quarter of the 1,000 responses in the survey, were also seeing the benefit, with 90% saying AI has had a positive impact on revenue and costs. Some 60% said their organisation was using or assessing GenAI, up from 49% in 2024, while 89% said open source models and software were important to their AI strategy.&nbsp;</p> <p>The impact on revenue and ROI was found to be leading telecommunications companies to increase their AI budgets in 2026. Overall, 89% of respondents said their AI budget would increase in the next 12 months, up from 65% in the 2024 survey, with 35% saying their budgets would increase by more than 10% compared with 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to Nvidia, these findings signal a bold step towards autonomous networks – AI-driven, self-managing systems that can self-configure, self-heal and self-optimise with minimal human intervention. In addition, 88% of organisations reported being between levels 1-3 of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tmforum.org/resources/introductory-guide/ig1218f-autonomous-networks-framework-v1-0-0/" rel="noopener">autonomy, as defined by the TM Forum</a>, and the use of GenAI and agentic AI was expected to accelerate the shift to level 5 autonomous networks.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="A new era of agentic network management"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>A new era of agentic network management</h2> <p>According to <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/tip/Agentic-AI-ushers-in-a-new-era-of-network-management">John Burke,</a> chief technology officer and research analyst at <a target="_blank" href="https://nemertes.com/" rel="noopener">Nemertes Research</a>, this era of network management is being ushered in – and redefined – by agentic AI. “AI agents are designed to exhibit goal-directed behaviour. In the context of the network, AI agents work to keep the network functioning at expected levels and maintain network configuration according to company security policies,” he says.</p> <p>“In addition, agentic AI can show some level of environmental awareness, such as knowing not to restart a switch as part of routine maintenance during business hours. Like their non-agentic counterparts, agentic AI systems can create multistep plans and adapt plans to changing circumstances. But AI agents can execute those plans as well as more broadly pursue policy and&nbsp;behavioural&nbsp;objectives&nbsp;with minimal human intervention.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Burke says agentic AI constantly cycles through the four stages of what is known as an OODA – observe, orient, decide and act – loop and learns as it goes.&nbsp;In operation, this means: observe, as in identifying what happens in the network; orient, by analysing and understanding the data based on its past learning; decide, by determining which actions it should take in response based on the data; and act, as in executing the agent’s decisions.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Improved time to value"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Improved time to value&nbsp;</h2> <p>This results in a faster ROI, as Chetan Sharma, CEO of Chetan Sharma Consulting, explains: “Autonomous networks are delivering return&nbsp;on investment faster than any other AI use case because they directly reduce outages, energy consumption and manual intervention. Agentic AI accelerates this by coordinating decisions across domains in real time.</p> <p>“Generative AI delivered fast productivity gains, but agentic AI is where telecoms begins to see structural ROI. Autonomous agents can act across networks, IT and customer journeys, turning insights into decisions without human delay.”&nbsp;</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> Generative AI delivered fast productivity gains, but agentic AI is where telecoms begins to see structural ROI. Autonomous agents can act across networks, IT and customer journeys, turning insights into decisions without human delay </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Chetan Sharma, Chetan Sharma Consulting</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>From an operational perspective, this will likely result in the transition of IT departments from the traditional practice of reactive troubleshooting to proactive management. This concept is being deployed by Tata Communications, which launched the IZO DC Dynamic Connectivity self-healing network platform in March 2025. The platform is designed to eliminate costly datacentre downtime and support the growing demands of AI. In this, enterprises operate across global locations and cloud environments, moving huge volumes of data in real time to support AI workloads and business needs.&nbsp;</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640695/Tata-Communications-unveils-self-healing-network" rel="noopener">Explaining the rationale for the launch</a>, the digital ecosystem provider said that in the current digital economy, disruptions from cable cuts, route failures or sudden AI workload spikes can bring business to a standstill.&nbsp;</p> <p>The company also warned that the networks connecting many enterprise datacentres were built for a different era – traditional datacentre links were designed for predictable workloads and stable traffic patterns, while the current reality is far more dynamic. Increasing geopolitical constraints, cable outages, route failures or sudden spikes in demand could cascade into service disruption and operational risk, leading to costly downtime. In such scenarios, the traditional response has often been reactive and manual, consuming valuable time when businesses need certainty and speed.&nbsp;</p> <p>In contrast, the new platform deploys deterministic multipath routing to deliver predictable latency and performance. This promises to transform resilience from a reactive process into an autonomous capability, changing how enterprises connect their datacentres in an increasingly AI-driven and distributed world.&nbsp;</p> <p>The new Tata Communications platform is smart enough to re-route traffic automatically within seconds without manual intervention during disruptions and is able to maintain very high levels of service availability across mission-critical infrastructure that supports business-critical applications. Through a unified digital interface and application programming interfaces (APIs), enterprises can monitor performance, receive proactive alerts and dynamically scale bandwidth as workloads evolve. The result is that resilience becomes an autonomous capability and a default state, not a contingency.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a similar vein, in mid-2025, Nokia announced the launch of its <a href="https://www.nokia.com/autonomous-networks/fabric/">Autonomous Networks Fabric</a>, designed to accelerate full network automation in an open, cloud-native, multi-supplier environment, including trained models, integrated security and AI apps for automation workflows. The fabric was designed to enable automation at scale and address issues encountered in this endeavour – the comms tech provider said it had seen a steady increase in the number of companies moving towards implementing fully autonomous networks, yet it also found that many have been held back by legacy systems, siloed processes and fragmented data.&nbsp;</p> <p>The&nbsp;Autonomous Networks Fabric looks to reduce the complexity of automation while allowing network providers to improve reliability and make operational cost savings by quickly testing new ideas and integrating those that deliver desired benefits.  It combines <a target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366569032/Cisco-unveils-innovations-for-observability-as-it-looks-to-future-networking-vision" rel="noopener">observability</a>, analytics,&nbsp;security&nbsp;and automation across every network domain,&nbsp;allowing a network to behave as one adaptive system, regardless of supplier,&nbsp;architecture&nbsp;or deployment model.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>In addition, the fabric federates the use and distribution of data and AI across an organisation, monitoring the chain of custody from end to end and ensuring quality and consistency in automation. Trained large language models (LLMs) support all automation through a knowledge engine designed to give reasoning for how data is interpreted, how issues are analysed and why certain actions are recommended.&nbsp;</p> <p>The fabric is also constructed to work with Google Cloud’s GenAI, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/news/366596173/Google-launches-Distributed-Cloud-Edge-hardware" rel="noopener">Vertex AI</a> and BigQuery, to deliver agent-driven workflows for network operations. Capabilities on offer include real-time monitoring and visibility into network traffic patterns, anomaly detection, zero-touch remediation of performance issues, and support for elastic scale-out and disaster recovery to the cloud.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Adopting AI for network management"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Adopting AI for network management</h2> <p>Between the likes of Nvidia, Tata Communications and Nokia, a whole host of AI-driven autonomous network management solutions are currently available. Yet there are a few fundamental assumptions at play in looking at how firms can best take advantage of AI for autonomous network management – one of which is the intrinsic robustness of company infrastructures.&nbsp;</p> <p>April 2026 research by Cisco found that while as many as two-thirds of industrial organisations have moved to active AI deployments in live operational environments, infrastructure and organisational alignment – especially networking and security – will dictate how businesses achieve real transformation.&nbsp;</p> <p>The resulting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/solutions/networking/industrial-iot/2026-state-of-industrial-ai-report.pdf" rel="noopener"><i>State of industrial AI report 2026</i></a> looks to provide a data‑driven view into how industrial organisations are adopting AI, the challenges they face as AI moves into live operations and the opportunities created as AI becomes embedded in physical systems, infrastructure and workflows. &nbsp;</p> <p>One of the top findings is that AI organisations are harnessing AI to drive progress and overcome industry challenges, and that it is now delivering measurable operational benefits, in particular in use cases such as process automation, automated quality inspection, predictive maintenance, logistics and energy forecasting. Strong expected benefits from AI include productivity (59%), cost reduction (42%) and sustainability.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yet just as adoption is accelerating, many firms in the survey conceded that they are struggling to sustain and expand deployments, with readiness across network infrastructure, security and skills increasingly determining whether AI can scale consistently across core physical environments. &nbsp;</p> <p>Network readiness and security posture were cited as the primary factors shaping how quickly and safely organisations scale AI across connected assets, machines and sites. The report observes that as AI becomes embedded in machines, sensors, vision systems and autonomous operations, organisations face rising demands for reliable connectivity, wireless mobility, predictable latency, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640723/Akamai-launches-AI-Grid-intelligent-orchestration" rel="noopener">edge</a> compute and power. This is making network readiness a gating factor for AI deployments.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Seeking network efficiency, security and scalability"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Seeking network efficiency, security and scalability</h2> <p>Such concerns are also voiced by Gordon Thomson, president of EMEA at Cisco, who believes that in a world defined by AI, companies run the risk of being left behind if they are not leading with AI in their operations. He says that with AI, the tech industry has reached a key point as regards to infrastructure, compute, networks, security and monitoring. However, according to Thomson, the IT infrastructure organisations have relied on to date was not built for the scale and the velocity of future workloads. &nbsp;</p> <p>“The solution isn’t about stacking tiny new products on top of each other – that just creates complexity and will slow you down. [Success] requires a platform that uses data to be more efficient, more secure and more scalable,” he says.&nbsp;</p> <p>The bottom line is that there is simply a seismic shift underway in how networks are being managed, and the key to all of this is AI – and increasingly agentic AI. As networks become more autonomous, they will require different forms of AI – from classical algorithms to language-based systems and intelligent agents – to each contribute distinct capabilities.&nbsp;</p> <p>Networking has now evolved far beyond moving data to moving gatherable intelligence across local and regulated infrastructure. Moreover, autonomous networks can deliver immediate ROI by eliminating human effort from repetitive, reactive workflows, with the fastest impact areas being energy management, fault prediction, configuration drift correction and capacity planning. And this will likely be the future – a future that will be autonomous and observed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI in network management</h3> <ul type="disc" class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/tip/AI-driven-network-management-tasks">10 AI-driven network management tasks</a>: AI can automate key network operations tasks, such as anomaly detection, event correlation and ticketing. This shifts network engineers toward governance and system design.</li> <li><a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/tip/AI-driven-self-healing-networks-bring-new-capabilities">AI-driven self-healing networks bring new capabilities</a>: Self-healing networks use AI to continuously monitor, diagnose and fix issues autonomously, shifting IT from reactive troubleshooting to proactive management.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Network management is becoming reliant on artificial intelligence-enabled tools, which use machine learning based on network monitoring data https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ezines/carousel/ezine_networking_05.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/How-AI-is-being-used-to-manage-networks Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT <p>A study from UK comms regulator Ofcom is calling for mobile companies, local authorities and other key nationwide stakeholder effort to improve the quality and reliability of mobile service across train services after its tests showed that mobile networks typically offer a poor-quality service to passengers.</p> <p>Ofcom’s&nbsp;<a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-UTICn5Yzpcx51XomcNiBcJ0K0A?domain=urldefense.com" href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/mobile-connectivity-you-can-count-on/mobile-connectivity/line-by-line-analysis-annex-connectivity-on-trains-measurement-study.pdf">mobile quality study</a> measured mobile performance across 24 segments of key railway lines covering England, Scotland and Wales, in its most comprehensive dedicated study available on the subject to date.</p> <p>The research was carried out by Streetwave. A&nbsp;<a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pXUtCrkEYwi69zrv2uGCXc4SUTO?domain=urldefense.com" href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/mobile-connectivity-you-can-count-on/mobile-connectivity/beyond-coverage-gmca-report-june-2026.pdf">separate study</a>, covering a tram line in Greater Manchester, was done by Opensignal and Streetwave. Ofcom also published&nbsp;<a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/NLbcCv2YjAf4XPE6Af8FWcQdjMa?domain=urldefense.com" href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/mobile-connectivity-you-can-count-on/mobile-connectivity/consumer-experiences-and-understanding-of-mobile-network-quality.pdf">qualitative research</a>&nbsp;by Jigsaw.</p> <p>The results reflected the reality for passengers on lines up and down the country, showing that travelling via train means can mean going off grid for too many people.</p> <p>The study looked at how often a phone could achieve good performance, defined as minimum download speeds of 5 Mbps per second, upload speeds of at least 1.5 Mbps per second and a response time of 50 milliseconds or less. These capabilities would typically let people make video calls, stream content or scroll social media.</p> <p>Specifically, the research found that operator EE met those standards on 42% of the segments of railway lines that were measured, Three on 21%, O2 on 20% and Vodafone on 17%.</p> <p>Onboard Wi-Fi provided by train companies was also measured and performed well just 1% of the time. This was largely due to outdated technology delivering the service, as well as speed caps.</p> <p>In essence, Ofcom said the research highlighted the core problem that mobile signal from masts on the ground often isn’t strong enough around train lines and that some carriage types are difficult for signals to pass through.</p> <p>Specifically regarding mobile signal on trains, Ofcom observed that competition between mobile networks alone won’t be enough to improve connectivity. As well as providing technical advice to Government to help inform its approach, Ofcom said it would also look at whether more spectrum – the airwaves all wireless technology relies on – was required.</p> <p>As it released its mobile connectivity, Ofcom also published&nbsp;a report, <a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/_JmmCo2vOqf841Dzvc6sLcpqEvO?domain=urldefense.com" href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-3-4-weeks/mobile-connectivity-you-can-count-on/mobile-connectivity/connectivity-you-can-count-on.pdf"><i>Connectivity you can count on</i></a>, looking at overhauling the quality of mobile service in UK wherever people live, work or travel.</p> <p>It looked to build on the merger of Vodafone and Three, which has an important role in driving better outcomes, identifies areas for improvement and calls for mobile companies, local authorities, big developers, government and others to take coordinated action.</p> <p>The report highlighted that even though the UK’s mobile networks have invested £10bn since 2020 in infrastructure, and that the prices paid by an average user basket of mobile services have fallen by 20% in real terms, despite average data use more than&nbsp;doubling, the reliability and smoothness of people’s experiences still isn’t consistent or good enough.</p> <p>Ofcom warned that the public are justifiably concerned about whether there is acceptable coverage from their provider along with how well it works and how often. It added that tackling this issue demands a national effort in which the mobile industry, local authorities, government, building developers, major landlords and itself all have a role to play.</p> <p>Ofcom said that it was also proposing to update the way it measured how mobile networks are doing, using crowdsourced data to reveal whether they delivered a good performance at least 90% of the time. This was defined as download speeds of at least 5 Mbps, upload speeds of at least 1.5 Mbps, and latency of no more than 50 milliseconds (ms).</p> <p>A key area of investigation for Ofcom will be investment from mobile companies.&nbsp;The regulator noted that Vodafone-Three has made a <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366631519/Ericsson-Nokia-join-VodafoneThree-11bn-network-build-out">legally binding £11bn investment commitment</a> to 5G infrastructure and that it would monitor delivery and enforce compliance alongside the UK’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority">competition and markets authority (CMA)</a> which holds the formal undertakings. Ofcom expected other networks to respond with their own investment, and it believes that operators’ collective action will be a key driver of improvements.</p> <p>Ofcom’s Group director for infrastructure and connectivity Natalie Black said: “People rightly expect connectivity they can count on – and delivering it will require a joined‑up national effort. We determined to play our part and will work closely with industry, government, local authorities and others to break down barriers standing in the way of progress, so we can enable economic growth, make everyday life more seamless, and ensure people get more out of the service they pay for.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about rail connectivity</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366612272/National-roll-out-of-UK-5G-standalone-across-road-and-rail-could-unlock-3bn-for-economy">National roll-out of UK 5G standalone across road and rail could unlock £3bn for economy</a>: Modelling from leading UK operator suggests roll-out of nationwide 5G standalone will transform road and rail travel across the country, saving billions on fuel and boosting productivity through remote working.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366609792/On-train-internet-connectivity-pivotal-for-rail-industry-growth">On-train internet connectivity pivotal for rail industry growth</a>: Survey of rail industry professionals highlights the fundamental role of onboard internet connectivity in the evolution of the rail industry by the people who will be responsible for overseeing it.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366626732/UK-rail-network-gets-on-track-for-enhanced-connectivity">UK rail network gets on track for enhanced connectivity</a>: Partnership between UK rail infrastructure provider and communications firm aims to boost 4G/5G connectivity on trains and in stations, tackle signal blackspots in tunnels, and pave the way for train performance improvements across Britain.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366617552/Railway-connectivity-on-track-to-break-billion-dollar-revenue-mark">Railway connectivity on track to break $1bn revenue mark</a>: Research finds spending on Future Railway Mobile Communication System based on 5G and LTE networks will gain speed over the next three years, with Asia being the engine of growth.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Study from national regulator reveals mobile performance was poor on 58% to 83% of tests carried out on UK trains https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/German/article/remote-working-train-2-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366644012/Widespread-struggle-to-gain-effective-connectivity-on-UK-trains Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:30:00 GMT <p>Strengthening digital connectivity between Europe and North Africa, the ViaTunisia subsea cable segment between Marseille in France, and Bizerte in Tunisia has reached ready-for-service (RFS) status, making the transition from construction to full operational availability on “a direct and resilient” new route between Southern Europe and North Africa.</p> <p>Co-financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital programme, the ViaTunisia project is designed to provide a high-capacity, secure and diversified connectivity route and digital bridge<b> </b>between the two continents. The Grant Agreement, signed in December 2022, provided funding covering 30% of the construction and management costs.</p> <p>The cable extends directly into global infrastructure of leading telco Orange in Marseille, enabling “seamless” interconnection with major European datacentres and international networks.</p> <p>By combining the resilience,&nbsp;security&nbsp;and performance of a global backbone with Marseille’s role as a leading interconnection hub,&nbsp;ViaTunisia&nbsp;will look to provide direct, high-capacity connectivity between North Africa and the wider digital world. It will also multiply route options in this area, especially in natural disaster-prone areas, minimising outages caused by cable failures, thus improving offering a way to enhance overall network resilience.</p> <p>The ViaTunisia partners said that the journey to RFS began long before the cable touched the seabed. Constructed as an open, point-to-point system with a 25-year design life, ViaTunisia has now transitioned through phases including marine surveys, factory acceptance tests, cable loading, laying, shore landings and final splicing.</p> <p>Marine operations were carried out by Orange Marine’s Sophie Germain and Elettra TLC’s&nbsp;Teliri&nbsp;cable ships, under the coordination of Elettra TLC, with system design and equipment delivered by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN).</p> <p>ViaTunisia&nbsp;extends directly into <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366632657/Orange-lands-first-Medusa-subsea-cable-in-Marseille">Orange’s global infrastructure in Marseille</a> through a fully redundant urban fibre ring connecting all of its datacentres in the city. The telco sees the set up as enabling interconnexion and distribution of international capacity across Europe.</p> <p>The link is part of the wider <a href="https://medusascs.com/">Medusa Submarine Cable System</a> undersea system, which will look to establish a new direct and resilient route across the Mediterranean, supporting growing demand for data traffic, cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI) applications and digital transformation initiatives across the region.</p> <p>Owned by African infrastructure and telecoms operator&nbsp;<a href="https://afr-ix.com/">AFR-IX Telecom</a>, Medusa is 8,760km long, and will be the first and longest subsea cable to connect the main Mediterranean countries, providing access to telecommunications infrastructure and 16 landing points around the Mediterranean Sea.</p> <p>The cable will have segments with up to 24 fibre pairs, with a capacity of 20Tbs per fibre pair. Its festoon architecture is said to offer a unique design. Designed as an open-access system, Medusa will look to offer telecom providers across the region with access to advanced connectivity services, supporting the roll-out of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366627779/Sizewell-C-deploys-VodafoneThree-dedicated-5G">5G</a>, the growth of cloud infrastructure, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366625757/Cisco-Live-2025-The-network-critical-for-the-future-of-the-AI-era">increasing bandwidth demands of AI</a> and future technologies.</p> <p>Operationally, Medusa will have two main regions, which are Europe and North Africa. In Europe, it has local operational branches in Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. These branches hold licenses and permits, and the Network Operations Centre is based in Europe. In North Africa, Medusa has agreements with local licensed operators for landing parties.</p> <p>The EU said the move demonstrated its commitment to reinforcing digital connectivity, supporting the rapid growth of data traffic driven by digital transformation and AI, additionally enabling new opportunities for digital services, investments and innovation.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about subsea communications</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643009/Via-Africa-subsea-cable-project-to-strengthen-European-African-connectivity">Via Africa subsea cable project to strengthen European, African connectivity</a>: Europe-Africa submarine cable project backed by consortium model designed to connect Europe to Africa along the Atlantic coast, enhancing the resilience and diversity of West Africa’s international connectivity.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640741/Colt-announces-subsea-terrestrial-network-routes">Colt announces subsea, terrestrial network routes</a>: Digital infrastructure company reveals plans to launch international connectivity routes connecting the US West Coast to Asia, marking the latest phase of its major global network expansion.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637186/Subsea-cable-worth-1bn-to-link-Japan-with-Malaysia-and-Singapore">Subsea cable worth $1bn to link Japan with Malaysia and Singapore</a>: The Intra-Asia Marine Cable will deliver 320Tbps capacity across the region, complementing subsea cable investments by hyperscalers such as Google and Meta in recent years.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366573415/SEA-ME-WE-4-doubles-undersea-capacity-with-optical-link">SEA-ME-WE 4 doubles undersea capacity with optical link</a>: Optical communications technology provider Ciena doubles capacity of undersea cable links covering South/Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe to 122Tbps.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Subsea cable segment connecting Marseilles in France and Bizerte in Tunisia has officially reached ready-for-service status, making leap from infrastructure design to live connectivity https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/subsea-cable-aapsky-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643922/ViaTunisia-subsea-segment-reaches-Ready-for-Service-status Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:07:00 GMT <p>Looking to enhance the experience faced by frontline workers in industrial environments, delivering high-quality video resolution even under challenging network conditions, TeamViewer has entered into a partnership with Microsoft to bring on-device artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to its Assist AR (augmented reality) remote assistance solution.</p> <p>The remote connectivity and <a href="https://www.teamviewer.com/en/">digital workplace solutions provider</a> said that when a field engineer needs remote guidance to fix a piece of industrial equipment, every second counts.</p> <p>It added that frontline workers are frequently in locations where mobile coverage is patchy at best, such as factory floors, remote worksites or out in the field. As a result, blurry or freezing video feed can be the difference between a quick fix and hours of costly downtime. Traditional remote assistance tools can struggle to maintain quality under such conditions, said TeamViewer.&nbsp;</p> <p>TeamViewer Assist AR now uses Windows AI application programming interface (API) for video super resolution (VSR) in the core TeamViewer Frontline suite. The result is said to be sharper video for remote supporters guiding field technicians, even when the technician is on a weak or unstable mobile connection.</p> <p>For organisations that depend on remote expertise – in manufacturing, utilities, healthcare or field services –&nbsp;TeamViewer said this translates directly into faster problem resolution, fewer on-site visits and reduced operational costs. Teams can collaborate more effectively regardless of where people are or what network they’re on.&nbsp;</p> <p>Assist AR is capable of using the new capabilities to deliver “better video quality in poor network conditions, reduced video artefacts and errors and optimised bandwidth use”, said the company. VSR uses models running locally on the receiving device to reconstruct and sharpen incoming video in real time across a broader set of Windows PCs with powerful CPUs.</p> <p>The VSR-enhanced version of Assist AR is now available in closed beta, with general availability planned in the coming weeks with VSR on Copilot+ PCs. TeamViewer intends to bring this capability to other products across its portfolio.</p> <p>Alfredo Patron, executive vice-president of global partner ecosystem and channels at TeamViewer, said: “TeamViewer is a global leader in frontline worker augmentation and specialises in remote guidance. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Microsoft to deliver top-tier video resolution even under challenging network conditions for our users. This collaboration underscores our dedication to addressing real-world issues faced by those who keep operations running.”<i> </i></p> <p>Mik Chernomordikov, head of windows developer relations and partnerships at Microsoft, added: “At Microsoft, we continue to invest in enabling on-device AI capabilities for Windows app developers, and we’re pleased to partner with TeamViewer to enhance remote support experiences for our shared customers using the new Windows AI API for VSR.”</p> <p>TeamViewer said that it currently has more than 620,000 customers across industries relying on its digital workplace platform. In a key deployment with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1, TeamViewer’s <a href="http://www.teamviewer.com/">Frontline technology</a> saw use among the racing team’s test and development department to accelerate rig assembly for its testing programme by moving away from using printed drawings to real-time AR instructions.</p> <p>Engineers were able to use a tablet to see clear, real-time AR instructions that show exactly how parts should come together. This manual checking from rig to paper proved to be a time-consuming approach, which has been sped up by the introduction of animated overlays showing step-by-step assembly sequences.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about spatial computing</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366620508/Hadean-Google-Cloud-team-to-develop-AI-powered-spatial-computing">Hadean, Google Cloud team to develop AI-powered spatial computing</a>: Technology partnership looks to facilitate the creation of highly realistic and responsive simulations, optimising training exercises and planning scenarios to help organisations develop deeper understanding of processes.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Spatial-computing-redraws-the-world-of-work">Spatial computing redraws the world of work</a>: Immersive technologies such as augmented, mixed and virtual reality are nothing new but next-generation capabilities are coalescing into a spatial computing ecosystem that is set to create a new immersive work environment.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641586/Qualcomm-expands-strategic-advanced-driver-assistance-systems-immersive-eyewear-collaborations">Qualcomm expands strategic advanced driver assistance systems, immersive eyewear collaborations</a>: Mobile technology platform provider inks deal with Snap company&nbsp;to expand decade-long collaboration on XR services, and with Bosch to make ADAS offerings for enhanced safety and comfort.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366557215/Nimo-Planet-completes-spatial-computing-system-for-hybrid-work">Nimo Planet completes spatial computing system for hybrid work</a>: Spatial computer productivity platform provider launches proprietary hardware and OS to enable virtual workplace system comprising personalised, multi-screen workspace experience to hybrid workforce.</li> </ul> </div> </div> TeamViewer inks new partnership with Microsoft to bring on-device AI capabilities to spatial computing platform, enhancing remote assistance for frontline and industrial workers https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/industrial-machine-AI-AR-robot-adobe.jpeg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643921/TeamViewer-Microsoft-bring-AI-AR-for-clearer-smarter-remote-assistance Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:52:00 GMT <p>Organisations are depending on both humans and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage, monitor and defend critical IT infrastructure – and in an agentic world, they must act and defend at machine speed and scale.</p> <p>To facilitate these ever stringent requirements, Cisco has unveiled Cloud Control, a unified platform built for humans and AI agents that is claimed to represent a new way to run critical infrastructure.</p> <p>In its technological essence, <a href="https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/artificial-intelligence/agentic-ops/cisco-cloud-control/index.html">Cisco Cloud Control</a> comprises a single management plane that brings a customer’s entire estate into one environment. It can deliver a single view of Cisco networking, security, compute, observability and collaboration in one environment.</p> <p>People and agents work from a single data layer, sharing the same operational context and the same system of action, offering one platform for humans and agents to run the agentic enterprise, while humans stay in control, said Cisco.</p> <p>The new platform was unveiled at <a href="https://www.ciscolive.com/global.html">Cisco Live 2026</a> where it was described by president and chief product officer Jeetu Patel as a “revolutionary” way to control infrastructure and operations – allowing customers to build their own apps and agents in natural language, extending to third-party tools – and one that was developed by a company that is very different to what it used to be, even compared with the most recent past.</p> <p>Kicking off the conference, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said that from a technological, geo-political and business perspective, the world was moving faster than at any time before.</p> <p>“We’re in a full-out sprint. In the world we live in today, in the last half hour a new model could have been launched and we’d all be scrambling; an attacker might have taken down some major system; some political statement could have caused a seismic shift in the global geopolitical landscape. This is what we’re dealing with.”</p> <p>A key driver of this change was the release of the <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/feature/Take-a-breath-A-CISOs-Claude-Mythos-advice-for-CIOs">Mythos AI tool, revealing companies’ strengths and weaknesses in the AI era</a>. One major result has been the increased engagement of CEOs in technology decision-making. Robbins was adamant that traditions and norms have gone for his fellow CEOs as they try to meet the Mythos moment and simply have to invest in step change technologies.</p> <p>The old habit of slowing spending and seeing what happens in times of change just doesn’t work any more, he said, adding that there was a real risk of “becoming extinct” by doing this now.</p> <p>“I’m talking to CEOs who are trying to understand the implications of something they haven’t put their hands on yet, and so they feel a lack of control,” said Robbins. “At the CEO level, they’re just trying to figure out, ‘What are the things I should I be doing, what should I be expecting of my team, and how should I be guiding my team?’. The risk of not [investing in new infrastructure] is much greater. In general, you’re going to find that most CEOs feel exactly that way, even though they may not know how to operationalise that yet.</p> <p>“FOMO [fear of missing out] is real, and the fear of competitors moving faster because they’re willing to embrace something and take a little more risk than is at the heart of the discussions we’re having right now. If you look at most of the demand signals on infrastructure right now, we are supply constrained, but this infrastructure is being consumed. It’s not like you’re going up and building out infrastructure like in the previous eras.”</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Supporting powerful network with Cloud Control"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Supporting powerful network with Cloud Control</h2> <p>At the heart of Robbins’s speech was the basic notion that the network was now more powerful than any of the nodes which connect to it. Recalling the days in the past decade when the explosion of online video services put incredible strain on networks that needed upgrading, Robbins noted that network traffic associated with AI will triple in the next three years – and that forecast was based solely on what we know today.</p> <p>“We have robotics, we have manufacturing, we have physical AI – all those things are going to put traffic on the networks at an incredible pace. Over 90% of [attendees] &nbsp;have said, ‘I’ve got to be modernising my technology infrastructure today. I’ve got to make my network more resilient. I’ve got to be ready for this transition.’ We’re working on it. I think the power of this network...is going to be more important than ever.”</p> <p>For Cisco, the key technology reference point will be Cloud Control. The platform brings together cross-domain telemetry, purpose-built models and trusted agents. Within the former, data flowing across networking, security, observability and collaboration can be combined so that humans and agents can act on the same information across to address business imperatives such as uptime, agent behaviour and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643753/Agentic-AI-is-driving-rethink-of-enterprise-architecture-and-tokenomics">tokenomics</a>.</p> <p>As it works with AI models, Cloud Control looks to reason across complex problems with the right mix of purpose-built and frontier models, especially those with operational networking data. The result is said to be system intelligence that scales with the complexity of the problem, not the size of the model alone.</p> <p>“AI agents reason and act continuously at software speed, and that changes everything about how we scale, manage and defend our critical infrastructure,” added Patel. “Cisco Cloud Control is a command centre for agentic AI: a platform where your team and your AI agents work together, in the same environment, with the same information and with humans in control.”</p> <p>Through Cisco Cloud Control, operators will be able to work with autonomous agents that can follow a structured path from signal to action. Benefits are said to include spotting trouble, identifying causes, carrying out fixes, testing changes before deployment and confirming the user experience has recovered.</p> <p>Such agents will be powered by Cisco telemetry and purpose-built models, using other capabilities such as expanded experience metrics, deep reasoning, digital twin and Cisco Agentic Workflows. The company said that teams will be able to automate network ops with an agentic loop, while keeping actions visible and governed.</p> <p>As they build their own applications and agents using natural language directly within the Cisco Cloud Control platform, users can also connect to an IT ecosystem including AWS, Linear, ServiceNow and Slack.</p> <p>Other products introduced at Cisco Live include AI Canvas, a multiplayer, generative workspace where operators and agents work from the same live evidence to investigate and resolve issues together in real time. The working premise is that context persists across shifts and escalations, so nothing is lost, and nothing is repeated.</p> <p>Cloud Control Studio forms a design space that unlocks two customisation environments. Agent Builder lets customers build agents for Cloud Control tailored to their own policies and workflows, with the ability to connect to more than 50+ third-party platforms and tools through native connectors or the open Model Context Protocol (MCP). In contrast, App Builder lets customers build and publish apps and workflows for Cloud Control from natural-language prompts, with <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/blog/Open-Source-Insider/OpenAI-details-GPT-52-Codex">OpenAI Codex’s</a> agentic coding assistant built in.</p> <p>Everything built in Studio – plus agents and apps from across Cisco’s ecosystem – can be published to Cloud Control Marketplace.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="The shrinking window between vulnerability and exploit"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>The shrinking window between vulnerability and exploit</h2> <p>Looking to address what it said was security for <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/feature/Take-a-breath-A-CISOs-Claude-Mythos-advice-for-CIOs">the Mythos era fused directly into the infrastructure</a>, Cisco warned that reactive defence was no longer enough when the window between vulnerability and exploit has collapsed from weeks to minutes. The company highlighted that as a charter member of <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing">Anthropic’s Project Glasswing</a> and OpenAI’s Daybreak, it stress-tests its own products using the latest frontier AI models, finding the weaknesses adversaries would have found before they can use them.</p> <p>At the show, Cisco said that it was expanding protections across its infrastructure to shield customers from new vulnerabilities following discovery, with Cisco Cloud Control acting as the security command centre where defence plays out in real time.</p> <p>The Live Protect system acts as a digital immune system for Cisco products, looking to shield users from newly discovered and prioritised vulnerabilities for supported platforms at runtime. This is carried out without reboots, no upgrades and no maintenance windows. Hybrid Mesh Firewall extends unified protection across networks and applications as well as Cisco and third-party firewalls. This is intended to limit the blast radius when something goes wrong.</p> <p>Looking to “protect agents from the world, and the world from agents”, Cisco has now made further enhancements across its agentic security offerings, from AI defence to zero trust for agents, to the agentic SOC.</p> <p>In addition, attempting to provide a path to <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642353/Cisco-advances-path-to-quantum-network-with-universal-switch">quantum-safe infrastructure,</a> addressing “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks that collect encrypted data to unlock when quantum capabilities catch up, Cisco has introduced Quantum-safe communications advancements across its core portfolio, extending post-quantum protection to the systems where the most sensitive enterprise traffic flows.</p> <p>Effective immediately, all newly launched enterprise and data centre routers, switches and firewall series will launch with quantum-safe secure boot. New quantum-ready assessments identify the assets most exposed to the “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks and where to start to remediate. A new quantum resilience framework gives enterprises a structured approach to post-quantum cryptography across two pillars: quantum-safe communications and quantum-safe products.</p> <p>To help customers introduce long-term resilience in its infrastructure, Cisco Services announced four new capabilities through Cisco IQ, namely resilient infrastructure services, AI-powered delivery vehicle for support and professional services, data sovereignty requirements and peer benchmarking.</p> <p>The aim is that the solution helps customers mitigate risk from frontier model threats and build the long-term resilience that today’s threat landscape demands. Data sovereignty requirements now have on-premise deployment options. Peer Benchmarking uses anonymised data to provide data-driven insights on areas such as Last Day of Support (LDOS) risk exposure and security vulnerability rates, enabling comparison with organisations of similar size, sector or infrastructure profile.</p> <p>Concluding, Robbins was confident that the IT and networking delegates to Cisco Live would be the architects of how AI reshapes industries, organisations, whether they were designing factory systems, making classrooms more personalised and productive, or helping science analyse data and advance disease cures. The key, Robbins said, was the network transforming customer experience and powering “incredible outcomes”.</p> <p>“The power of the network brings all of it together, makes it happen, and together we have this incredible responsibility and opportunity to build infrastructure in a way that makes AI useful, secure, trusted and real,” he added.</p> <p>“Collectively, I believe we are truly going to deliver the critical infrastructure for the AI era. Despite all the uncertainty and despite all the fear, I believe that we will together meet this moment.”&nbsp;</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI in networking</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643095/Implementation-gap-threatens-progress-in-AI-and-5G">Implementation gap threatens progress in AI and 5G</a>: Despite current patchy deployment of key 5G services, study finds that across regions, company sizes and markets, telecoms leaders are strikingly confident about their ability to capture the next wave of growth.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642981/Nokia-enters-cognitive-broadband-era-with-agentic-AI-capabilities">Nokia enters cognitive broadband era with agentic AI capabilities</a>: As the telecoms industry looks to invest heavily in agentic AI, Nokia unveils a plan to tackle fibre and Wi-Fi challenges, boost user experience and increase operational efficiency.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642566/Extreme-Connect-26-Agent-ONE-takes-forward-network-AI">Agent ONE takes forward network AI</a>: Network firm launches ‘smarter, faster, autonomous’ approach to enterprise networking, with its operating model moving from assistive AI to autonomous, always-on operations.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641242/Cisco-network-readiness-a-determining-factor-for-AI-success">Network readiness a determining factor for AI success</a>: Report reveals how&nbsp;firms are harnessing AI to drive progress and overcome industry challenges, with most expecting ‘significant’ increases in connectivity and reliability demands.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Platform offers unified approach for humans and AI agents to run critical IT infrastructure together, allowing customers to build their own apps and agents in natural language https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Cisco-Live-Robbins-13June26-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643860/Cisco-Live-26-networks-the-key-in-post-Mythos-world Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:35:00 GMT <p>The latest industry insight from Altnets aligns with the findings of other recent research and product launches from major IT providers, finding that thanks to the seemingly endless rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the next major challenge facing integrators will be the need to deploy the physical infrastructure needed to support AI’s growth.</p> <p><a href="https://www.altnets.co.uk/knowledge#whitepapers">The report</a> forms the second instalment in Altnets’ whitepaper series exploring market shifts, fibre demand and the infrastructure strategies shaping the future of digital connectivity.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.altnets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Why-your-choice-of-network-technology-will-be-key-during-the-global-fibre-shortage.pdf">first paper</a> examined the evolving fibre shortage landscape and mitigation strategies. The latest edition explores how accelerating AI adoption, datacentre expansion and growing digital demand is placing increasing pressure on networks, fibre infrastructure and supply chains.</p> <p>Indeed, it noted that what began as a surge in AI software innovation has quickly evolved into one of the largest infrastructure expansion cycles the technology sector has ever experienced. It stressed that the AI boom is not just a computer story, but a connectivity story.</p> <p>The whitepaper explained how <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643106/Colt-expands-network-in-Istanbul-to-support-AIready-infrastructure">AI is increasingly becoming an infrastructure challenge</a> as much as a technology one, and that infrastructure such as fibre networks, optical connectivity, backhaul capacity and interconnect architecture is rapidly becoming the foundation that future digital economies will rely on.</p> <p>At the same time, broader societal and technological shifts – including automation, fixed wireless access (FWA), edge computing, the internet of things (IoT) and increasingly mobile-first behaviours – are continuing to drive significant increases in global data consumption.</p> <p>According to the paper, this is accelerating demand for dense fibre connectivity across centralised datacentre environments and, increasingly, distributed edge and wireless infrastructure. As a result, the industry is entering a new phase of infrastructure development, where resilience is no longer simply about mitigating disruption.</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> Organisations that invest in scalable connectivity and long-term infrastructure strategy today will be better positioned to support the demands of tomorrow’s AI-driven economy </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Andy Ainsley, Altnets</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fibre was pinpointed as the strategic resource behind AI. As AI workloads continue to scale, fibre and optical connectivity are emerging as critical infrastructure, and the challenge is shifting from generating compute power to transporting vast volumes of data across increasingly distributed environments with speed, reliability and ultra-low latency.</p> <p>Altnets noted that AI models require enormous amounts of data to move continuously between hyperscale datacentres, cloud environments, metro networks and edge infrastructure.</p> <p>In addition, connectivity infrastructure in the age of AI was shown to be no longer just enabling digital transformation – rather, it is shaping the speed, scale and competitiveness of entire digital economies.</p> <p>The paper highlighted how across the globe, hyperscale datacentres are expanding at an accelerated pace as developers race to increase compute capacity, process larger AI workloads and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643040/Cisco-USGA-set-to-drive-golf-into-the-AI-era">support the growing demands of automation, cloud services and real-time digital connectivity</a>.</p> <p>It also highlighted a number of industry trends that the connectivity firm said were “significant”. First, it cited ABI Research showing that global active datacentre capacity is forecast to increase almost sixfold between 2025 and 2035, rising from 24.4GW to 147.1GW. It also cited JLL data predicting that AI workloads could account for approximately 50% of total global datacentre capacity by the end of the decade.</p> <p>It added that proposed AI-related datacentre projects currently seeking UK grid connections could require around 50GW of electricity capacity, exceeding Great Britain’s current peak demand.</p> <p>Another key finding was that for integrators, the challenge is no longer simply expanding capacity, but about building scalable, future-ready networks capable of supporting unknown future demand in an increasingly distributed and AI-driven digital landscape. The integrators best positioned to lead the next phase of digital infrastructure growth will be those capable of combining intelligent network design, resilient supply ecosystems, strategic collaboration and future-ready infrastructure planning into long-term operational advantage.</p> <p>Altnets suggested that as fibre, backhaul and interconnect architecture become increasingly strategic, providers will need partners that understand not only product availability, but also network architecture, supply chain management and long-term deployment resilience.</p> <p>“The industry is moving into a new era where network resilience and infrastructure readiness are becoming just as important as capacity itself. Organisations that invest in scalable connectivity and long-term infrastructure strategy today will be better positioned to support the demands of tomorrow’s AI-driven economy,” remarked Altnets commercial director Andy Ainsley.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI in networking</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643106/Colt-expands-network-in-Istanbul-to-support-AIready-infrastructure">Colt expands network in Istanbul to support AI‑ready infrastructure</a>: Global digital infrastructure provider expands major connectivity hub for Asia and Europe, allowing local and international users to access wider portfolio of scalable networking services.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643370/Vision-26-Motive-offers-vision-of-new-era-of-physical-AI-operations">Motive offers vision of new era of physical AI operations</a>: New products aim to shift operational burden from people to technology, automating ‘busy work’ so fleets can prioritise strategic safety, productivity and profitability.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643095/Implementation-gap-threatens-progress-in-AI-and-5G">Implementation gap threatens progress in AI and 5G</a>: Despite current patchy deployment of key 5G services, study finds that across regions, company sizes and markets, telecoms leaders are strikingly confident about their ability to capture the next wave of growth.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642981/Nokia-enters-cognitive-broadband-era-with-agentic-AI-capabilities">Nokia enters cognitive broadband era with agentic AI capabilities</a>: As the telecoms industry looks to invest heavily in agentic AI, Nokia unveils a plan to tackle fibre and Wi-Fi challenges, boost user experience and increase operational efficiency.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Whitepaper from connectivity expert Altnets highlights growing infrastructure pressure, as artificial intelligence demand reshapes the future of digital economies https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/fibre-broadband-FTTP-abstract-adobe.jpeg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643917/AI-boom-creates-connectivity-challenge-for-integrators Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT <p>Recognising that fleet leaders are increasingly focused on building safer, more productive and more profitable operations, physical artificial intelligence (AI) operations platform provider Motive has announced a major expansion of its Workforce Management solution.</p> <p>A range of products and services – including the new Driver Rewards programme and enhancements to its AI Coach and Performance Hub – were announced at the company’s <a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/x6p6CL9YPoHXEzz8gSjtkUyYdzH?domain=events.gomotive.com/" href="https://events.gomotive.com/vision-26/">Vision 26</a> summit. The event highlighted the mounting real-world challenges that fleet IT leaders face – in particular, gaining and generating insights from fleet operations and using AI-based software to improve safety and efficiency.</p> <p>As the conference began, <a href="https://gomotive.com/en-gb/products/workforce-management/">Motive</a> claimed that over the past three years, it had helped customers prevent 170,000 accidents and saved fleet teams an average of 20 hours per week on reporting and administrative tasks. This was said to be the equivalent of nearly 1,000 hours per year that could be spent elsewhere on operations. The bottom line was that for a 1,000-vehicle fleet, there could be annual savings of $3.4m on accidents, insurance and fuel-related costs.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Integration and automation lead the drive"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Integration and automation lead the drive</h2> <p>Addressing the conference, company co-founder and chief executive officer Shoaib Makani said that in meeting its more than 1,000 customers operating more than two million vehicles and assets across the US, Mexico, Canada and the UK, his company had gained a deeper understanding of the problems customers faced in their operations.</p> <p>He added that despite the range of industries its customers work in – such as trucking, construction, oil and gas, passenger transit and waste collection – two common themes come up in almost every conversation. First, there is too much fragmentation in the tools used, which he said leads to operational complexity. And second, there is too much manual work, which hinders productivity. The solution to these two universal challenges, Makani emphasised, is integration and automation – with AI dominating every technology conversation.</p> <p>Makani referred to integration and automation as “north stars” in building technology. “How can we build products that work together to break down data silos and give you one integrated view of your operations, and how can we automate the manual workflows so that you can focus on the things that matter most? I want to start with integration,” he said.</p> <p>“What started as a simple fleet management solution has evolved into an integrated operations platform. Six products, each of which can be used standalone, but the magic happens when you use them together for driver safety, fleet management, equipment monitoring, spend management, workforce management and AI vision,” Makani added.</p> <p>“This year, we took integration beyond software into the world of hardware. The standard paradigm in this industry has been a telematics device for fleet management and a dashcam for driver safety. That made sense in a world where dashcams were optional, but today they are essential. This is why we built <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643370/Vision-26-Motive-offers-vision-of-new-era-of-physical-AI-operations">AI Dashcam Plus</a>.”</p> <p>The product was seen as not just another dashcam, but a new platform enabling “a next leap” in driver safety, allowing companies to tackle the hardest problems on the road, such as making split-second decisions on safety.</p> <p>Pointing out one key drawback with existing camera-based safety systems, vice-president of product Nihar Gupta said most cameras currently rely on a single road-facing lens, which sees the world as flat.</p> <p>By contrast, the wide lens of the road-facing cameras on AI Dashcam Plus (<em>pictured above</em>) captures a full scene, including everything in a driver’s periphery, with a zoom lens taking details further down the road. The combination meant that they could offer a view of the world in depth. They detected objects, but struggled to estimate distance, speed and motion. Critically, the compute side was limited, compromising the ability to offer safety advice in split seconds. Compute on the AI Dashcam Plus is based on a <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366619490/Dragonwing-take-flight-to-boost-Qualcomm-industrial-embedded-IoT-offer">Qualcomm AI processor</a> built for the edge, with enough horsepower to model the physics of an entire scene in real time on the device.</p> <p>“Yesterday’s [compute tech] can’t run today’s AI. Forward closer warning has served our industry well for years, but the systems on the road today run on rules: distance, speed, time to hit, calculated frame by frame. An alert only fires once the vehicle is already locked in front of the driver. By the time the threat is confirmed, your driver has already lost the seconds that matter most. AI Dashcam Plus enables a fundamentally different approach. To do this, we need the right input streams and serious compute.”</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="From reactive to proactive fleet management"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>From reactive to proactive fleet management</h2> <p>Motive’s chief product officer, Hemant Banavar, concurred, adding that there has been a shift in the technology space, so things that weren’t possible only in the recent past in computing are now feasible. “If you think about the industry that we serve, there’s a lot that has changed in terms of going from being very reactive – looking in the rearview mirror – to looking at data from telematics [gaining insight] and then coaching [drivers] to be more proactive,” he said.</p> <p>“What Qualcomm has done with data connectivity … the way it is almost omnipresent, means we are at a point where we have a really capable edge processor that can run multiple models at the same time. You can do things in real time, so you’re kind of going from a completely reactive way of managing your fleet to proactive interventions. [These] are more valuable for [fleets] to be able to change behaviour. That’s the shift that we're seeing … these chips actually meet the power constraints of the operating environment and can run multiple models in that environment.”</p> <p>Such capability also brings out an issue that has grown in importance throughout the automotive industry as a whole, not just fleets: that is, using edge- and/or cloud-based data systems to enrich the overall driving experience.</p> <p>For example, assessing the <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/CES-2026-Connected-vehicles-accelerate-the-pace-of-AI">move towards in-vehicle on-device AI and processing data at the edge rather than in the cloud</a>, it is generally recognised as imperative that applications such as&nbsp;advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have to perform processing with minimum latency and that there was a defined technological threshold for processing the billions of parameters in AI models as seen by the number of trillions of operations (TOPS) processed by edge or cloud hardware. This has meant that while AI inference will be done at the edge, model training will remain in the cloud, due mainly to its current complexity.</p> <p>Banavar revealed at the conference that the way Motive approached this issue was to start in the cloud and minify models to fit on edge processors. The large model and Motive-developed AI stack is first trained to make sure the company can detect the appropriate behaviour in an application, and then go on to look at deploying on the edge.</p> <p>He said: “For a lot of time, what we do is start with an off-the-shelf model, deploy it, and we immediately start getting events [insights]. These go through an event validation engine, which is in the cloud. This essentially allows us to very quickly start building a truth set from the events that are coming in, and we have a ‘human-in-the-loop’ annotation of these events coming in. This quickly allows us to start getting a signal on where we need to improve this model. That becomes the basis of a feedback loop for us to start optimising that off-the-shelf model into something more custom.”</p> <p>In terms of how things can evolve quickly, Banavar revealed that the company can start with an off-the-shelf AI model and, in a matter of weeks, go from around 80-85% precision to almost the high 90s very rapidly, because of the human judgement in the system. That means software developers can very quickly tweak the weights of the model to reach high precision. This loop continues until a point is reached when the need for a human to annotate every single time goes away.</p> <p>This effectively creates the event validation engine, and the practical net result of such actions is a dashcam that can see the road with depth and reason about motion in real time. Motive believes that this unlocks “something entirely new”.</p> <p>Very much among the entirely new is enhanced collision avoidance. The event model principle is central to this, with the system looking at confidence levels for potential collisions. Instead of measuring distance frame by frame, the application models while every object is moving through space. The camera sees an object such as a vehicle, and the AI sees multiple possible future trajectories in real time. The system then reasons which trajectory puts a driver at risk and sends an alert in seconds while there’s still time to act, not after.</p> <p>The system “reasons” vehicles, cyclists, animals and pedestrians, offering the ability to predict a possible object movement, most notably one where an object’s predicted path crosses the driver’s. Even with advances in the model, the key, said Banavar, is not about replacing the driver, but about making not only the driver better, but vehicles safer.</p> <p>That is as well as creating a halo around the cab and around the driver with current tools, Motive plans to extend this halo to around the vehicle, with success measured by a “north star of zero harm”, that is, the ability to reduce unsafe behaviour which directly correlates with accidents on the road.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Engaging drivers to keep them on the road"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Engaging drivers to keep them on the road</h2> <p>Looking at the products added to the driver safety portfolio, Driver Rewards is designed to help organisations engage, incentivise and retain drivers at scale, while new AI Coach capabilities extend AI-powered driver coaching beyond safety to fuel usage, compliance and equipment health. Coaching Score delivers actionable intelligence to measure programme effectiveness.</p> <p>At the heart of the launches is the need to address the issue of driver retention, which Motive says has become a critical challenge across the physical economy. Citing <a href="https://zerity.co.uk/blog/contractor-recognition-retention-strategy">data from fleet management and compliance platform Zerity</a>, it noted that large fleets in the UK in particular were seeing annual turnover as high as 60% and that losing a single driver costs organisations an average of £6,300. That means, for a fleet with 1,000 drivers, turnover costs could add up to nearly £4m annually. On top of that, the UK is facing a projected HGV driver shortage of 200,000 by 2030, which threatens the 82% of domestic goods in the UK that are moved by road freight.</p> <p>Yet Motive warned that in many fleets, coaching still focused on mistakes, while recognition remained manual, inconsistent and difficult to scale. The result is disengaged drivers more likely to turnover and challenges in recruiting new talent.</p> <p>Building on <a href="https://gomotive.com/en-gb/products/workforce-management/">Motive’s Workforce Management solution</a>, which brings workforce operations into a centralised, AI-powered platform, Driver Rewards is intended to turn everyday performance into automated incentives. Fleet managers can create data-driven challenges tied to key metrics, while the platform scores performance and updates points, badges and leaderboards in real time.</p> <figure class="main-article-image half-col" data-img-fullsize="https://www.computerweekly.com/rms/computerweekly/Motive-Driver-Performance-2026-PR-800px-h.jpg"> <img data-src="https://www.computerweekly.com/rms/computerweekly/Motive-Driver-Performance-2026-PR-800px-h_half_column_mobile.jpg" class="lazy" data-srcset="https://www.computerweekly.com/rms/computerweekly/Motive-Driver-Performance-2026-PR-800px-h_half_column_mobile.jpg 960w,https://www.computerweekly.com/rms/computerweekly/Motive-Driver-Performance-2026-PR-800px-h.jpg 1280w" alt="Photo of Motive Driver Performance dashboard" data-credit="Motive" height="158" width="279"> <figcaption> <i class="icon pictures" data-icon="z"></i>Motive Driver Performance dashboard </figcaption> <div class="main-article-image-enlarge"> <i class="icon" data-icon="w"></i> </div> </figure> <p>Drivers track progress in the Driver App, and teams can run multiple programmes with tailored rules, point systems and incentives aligned to goals such as safe driving, fuel efficiency, compliance and spend.</p> <p>By connecting drivers, vehicles and operational data in one place, Motive ensures that the net result is automated coaching, streamlined compliance, the ability to see risks surfacing earlier, and reduced manual processes so teams can focus on higher-value work. Future enhancements will look to expand rewards to additional behaviours such as idling and compliance, introduce new redemption options, and enable real-time “spot recognition” for exceptional performance.</p> <p>Commenting on how his firm is using Driver Rewards, Rodney Fetters, fleet director at fuel management systems provider <a href="https://spatco.com/">Spatco Energy Solutions</a>, said it has replaced manual tracking with automated, data-driven challenges that score and track performance in real time. “Recognition is now consistent and scaled. We started with the obvious top performers that drive high mileage and are most at risk, but now we are using the platform to improve engagement, strengthen safety and have reduced the time our team spends managing rewards,” he said.</p> <p>While Driver Rewards reinforces positive behaviour, AI Coach is built to automate intervention and improve performance by identifying risks, creating tailored coaching plans, and then delivering real-time guidance to drivers. Drivers who actively review their AI Coach sessions are said to be able to see eight times more safety score improvement and a 50% drop in total events, with critical risks like phone use dropping to zero, according to Motive.</p> <p>The automated, consistent feedback is attributed with transforming organisations’ performance cultures and introducing a new way for fleets to operate. Enhancements to AI Coach now extend coaching beyond safety to fuel usage, compliance and equipment health.</p> <p>Motive is also introducing Coaching Score as part of Performance Hub, a unified control tower for managing coaching, training and rewards. Coaching Score automates measurement by tracking behaviour changes following coaching sessions, allowing managers to see exactly where programmes are working and where high-risk behaviours continue. AI-powered recommendations identify high-impact focus areas, while Performance Hub highlights which coaches need support to keep their teams on track.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about fleet information systems</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639902/Ford-accelerates-fleet-data-capability-with-Pro-AI">Ford accelerates fleet data capability with Pro AI</a>: Auto manufacturing giant introduces fleet management software aiming to help organisations manage their fleet operations more effectively and get daily tasks done.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639466/Connectivity-AI-drive-fleet-safety-productivity-and-decision-making">Connectivity, AI drive fleet safety, productivity and decision-making</a>: Report into state of fleet technology across US reveals three key priorities for the year: increasing productivity, reducing costs and enhancing driver safety – with AI and connected technology serving as engines and usage-based insurance.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366636775/Aftermarket-car-telematics-arena-drives-past-90-million-subscriptions">Aftermarket car telematics arena drives past 90 million subscriptions</a>: Study of aftermarket car telematics finds growing value in technology for application areas including stolen vehicle tracking and recovery, vehicle diagnostics, Wi-Fi hotspots and convenience applications.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366621797/Ford-Pro-advances-telematics-for-fleet-management">Ford Pro advances telematics for fleet management</a>: Auto manufacturing giant updates fleet management software and reaffirms commitment to maintaining standardised software-based data experiences for fleet vehicle informatics.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> AI is changing behaviours and reducing accidents within fleet operations, helping teams deliver personalised feedback across safety, fuel and compliance, while engaging drivers https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/Motive-AI-platform-2026-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643658/Vision-26-Motive-gears-up-to-drive-improved-fleet-safety-and-productivity Tue, 02 Jun 2026 06:10:00 GMT <p>New mobile network operators (MNOs) launching services, as well as the entry of new satellite operators such as AST SpaceMobile, will see substantial growth in the direct-to-cellular (D2C) arena, but despite this strong increase, usage will remain below initial expectations, according to a study from Juniper Research.</p> <p>The <em><a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/m76iCL9YPoHXvpjk5i1HjcyrMYj?domain=click.agilitypr.delivery" href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/m76iCL9YPoHXvpjk5i1HjcyrMYj?domain=click.agilitypr.delivery">Direct to cell market: 2026-2031</a></em> report projects that the total number of monthly D2C users whose standard unmodified smartphones will be able to connect directly to satellites will rise from 17.4 million in 2026 to 133 million in 2031.</p> <p>Yet it also warns that the market faces structural challenges as regards consumer demand. In particular, it highlights losses in coverage that are often caused by dense urban settings and physical barriers such as thick walls, which D2C services do not address. “Consumer demand for D2C is currently concentrated to specific trips and travel, such as to national parks and nature reserves, rather than during everyday usage of mobile services,” said research author Alex Webb.</p> <p>Despite this limitation, Juniper stressed that D2C holds significant value to consumers living in, or visiting, rural and remote areas, with&nbsp;Juniper&nbsp;Research expecting usage to spike during warm weather.</p> <p>The report also pinpointed two use cases – voice and data – where it said specific challenges remain. In voice, it noted that such services sit between SMS and data in terms of both technical complexity and consumer value. While voice requires more consistent connectivity than SMS, it is seen as definitely less demanding than full data services, making it a logical intermediate step in the evolution of D2C. However, delivering reliable voice over satellite still presents challenges, particularly in maintaining call quality and managing latency.</p> <p>Delivering mobile data via satellite in general requires, said Juniper, greater consistency in connectivity, but mainly greater bandwidth, as well as lower latency. All of these requirements are challenging given current technological limitations. As a result, data services are still largely in the trial or early demonstration phase, with limited commercial availability.</p> <p>The report recommends that going forward, MNOs expand access to D2C services by offering temporary access models to mobile subscribers. By introducing greater flexibility to mobile subscribers, MNOs will be able to optimise access for seasonal and intermittent users.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about satcoms and 6G</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643328/Viasat-hosts-first-satellite-enabled-phone-comms-in-Uzbekistan">Viasat hosts first satellite-enabled phone comms in Uzbekistan</a>: Satellite communications successfully demonstrates direct-to-device satellite connectivity in Uzbekistan for the first time, looking to position the country as a key market pioneering the progression of satellite technology.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641075/SpaceLocker-launches-first-shared-satellite-mission">SpaceLocker launches first shared satellite mission</a>: French startup looks to redefine space infrastructure by turning satellites into shared platforms, and claims faster, more sustainable missions.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643457/Ericsson-Telstra-team-for-Australian-6G-development">Ericsson and Telstra team up for Australian 6G development</a>: Australian operator and global comms tech provider join forces on 6G development work spanning research, standards and real-world testing looking to pave way for the next era of advanced connectivity.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/What-businesses-need-to-fix-now-to-avoid-expensive-6G-lock-ins">What businesses need to fix now to avoid expensive 6G lock-ins</a>: 6G networks will be coming over the course of the next three to four years, offering more unprecedented capability than their predecessors, but this does not mean unprecedented amounts need to be spent to make them work.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p>Meanwhile, the analyst predicts a strong kick-off for <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643457/Ericsson-Telstra-team-for-Australian-6G-development">6G communications</a>, which it says will enter commercial availability by 2029.</p> <p>The <em><a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/NmblC31j95hx0vXA1FYCyUQO24b?domain=click.agilitypr.delivery" href="https://www.juniperresearch.com/research/telecoms-connectivity/network-connectivity/6g-development-research-report">6G market: 2029-2035</a></em>&nbsp;report forecasts that the global number of 6G connections will reach 4.1 million that same year, with what was calculated to be 70331% market growth from 2029-2035 to result in 2.9 billion 6G connections by 2035.</p> <p>The report identified the US and South Korea as the countries expected to lead early 6G commercialisation in late 2029, with 6G network launches expanding in 2030. This is despite 6G currently undergoing development and standardisation by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and other ecosystem players.</p> <p>The report adds that by 2030, nine countries will have launched 6G commercially, with North America and the Far East and China showing the way regionally. Juniper expects the leading countries, ranked by number of 6G connections in 2030, will be China; the US; Canada; Japan; the UK; South Korea; Saudi Arabia; France; and Qatar.</p> <p>Yet it stressed that while these countries will lead the early commercialisation of 6G, others, such as Germany, India and the UAE, are also expected to play key roles in its development and commercialisation.</p> <p>Looking at where it expects commercial gains to be delivered, Juniper emphasised that with mobile data traffic growth decelerating and gains in consumer average revenue per user limited relative to traffic growth, 6G investment must go beyond traditional connectivity services.</p> <p>It said that instead, 6G must also serve as the enabler of key value-added services such as voice artificial intelligence, which mobile network operators can integrate with their existing services to consumers and enterprises, unlocking new revenue streams.</p> Research predicts monthly active satcom users to reach over 130 million by 2031, but usage forecast to be lower than anticipated, while 6G services set to grow from 4.6 million in 2029 to 2.9 billion in 2035 https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/6g-mobile-network-broadband-iaremenko-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643796/Direct-to-cell-growth-hits-headwinds-while-6G-set-for-rapid-uptake Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:15:00 GMT <p>Bringing direct-to-device satellite connectivity to millions more people in the through the market leading smartphone, Virgin Media O2 has switched on its O2 Satellite service for the iPhone.</p> <p><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639343/UK-direct-to-device-satellite-connectivity-takes-off-with-Virgin-Media-O2">Launched in February 2026</a>, O2 Satellite comprises a satellite-to-mobile service powered by&nbsp;<a href="https://starlink.com/es/business/direct-to-cell">Starlink Direct to Cell</a>, and the move has boosted Virgin Media O2’s UK landmass coverage to 95%, delivering a coverage uplift equivalent to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales.</p> <p>The service allows users to connect via compatible smartphones by satellite when cellular coverage is completely unavailable, extending mobile connectivity into areas that have historically had no signal via traditional mobile coverage, the so-called “not-spots”.</p> <p>It is also the result of a UK-first partnership with SpaceX, using&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366636362/Starlink-broadband-skyrockets-as-Internet-gets-fundamentally-rewired">Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites</a>&nbsp;to deliver connectivity direct to mobile devices using O2’s licensed mobile spectrum transmitted from space. The general switch-on in February also followed approval by UK regulator Ofcom of the UK’s first licence for satellite-to-smartphone services.</p> <p>O2 Satellite has been designed to complement <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638763/Virgin-Media-O2-accelerates-automation-across-mobile-network">O2’s existing mobile network</a>, providing an additional layer of reassurance when users move beyond terrestrial mobile networks. The company said this will help people to stay connected when travelling or taking part in activities such as hiking, climbing, water sports and sailing, offering extended connectivity options in rural, coastal and other remote locations.</p> <p>As well as extending coverage to former not-spots, O2 said its satellite service is designed to act as a backup, helping customers stay connected in the event of a local cellular network outage.</p> <p>Since launch, O2 Satellite has supported messaging, calls and data across a range of apps including WhatsApp and Google Maps, with further applications to become compatible in the future.</p> <p>The service was initially available to customers with the latest Samsung smartphones and compatible Apple devices include iPhone 17 Pro Max, 17 Pro, 17, 17e; iPhone Air; iPhone 16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 16, 16e; iPhone 15 Pro Max, 15 Pro, 15 Plus, 15; iPhone 14 Pro Max, 14 Pro, 14 Plus, 14; and iPhone 13 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 13, 13 mini.</p> <p>Compatible apps now include AccuWeather, AllTrails, Apple Compass, Apple Fitness, Apple Maps, Apple Messages, Apple Music, Apple Weather, BBC Weather, Google Maps, Messenger, WhatsApp, X (<em>formerly Twitter</em>) and Yahoo Mail.</p> <p>Commenting on the platform expansion, Chris Bournes, commercial director, at Virgin Media O2, said:&nbsp;“Earlier this year, we made history with the switch on of O2 Satellite. Expanding the service to iPhone users is a major step forward in making this new, groundbreaking technology accessible to more customers. Whether you’re hiking, travelling or in a remote part of the UK, O2 Satellite helps ensure you can stay connected when you need it most.”</p> <p>When the service was launched, VMO2 CEO Lutz Schüler called it as a defining moment for UK mobile connectivity: “[It is] a statement of our intent to keep innovating and ensure our customers can stay connected no matter where they are. We already have the UK’s largest <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640826/Virgin-Media-O2-accelerates-UK-5G-upgrade-programme">5G+ footprint</a> and we’re not standing still, investing heavily this year in our mobile network to give O2 customers a brilliant, reliable service that they can depend on.”</p> <p>UK minister for the digital economy Liz Lloyd described O2 Satellite as a major achievement for the UK and that it demonstrated leadership in next-generation connectivity. “Being the first in Europe to launch direct-to-device satellite data services puts the UK firmly at the forefront of mobile innovation. O2 Satellite is a boost for growth and connectivity, and a strong signal of the UK’s leadership in the global digital economy,” she said.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about space connectivity</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643328/Viasat-hosts-first-satellite-enabled-phone-comms-in-Uzbekistan">Viasat hosts first satellite-enabled phone comms in Uzbekistan</a>: Satellite communications successfully demonstrates direct-to-device satellite connectivity in Uzbekistan for the first time, looking to position the country as a key market pioneering the progression of satellite technology.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641075/SpaceLocker-launches-first-shared-satellite-mission">SpaceLocker launches first shared satellite mission</a>: French startup looks to redefine space infrastructure by turning satellites into shared platforms, and claims faster, more sustainable missions.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641709/Amazon-acquires-Globalstar-to-expand-satellite-comms-business">Amazon acquires Globalstar to expand satellite comms business</a>: Strategic purchase to see satellites, radio frequency spectrum and operational expertise to enable existing Leo business to add direct-to-device services to future generations of its low Earth orbit satellite offer.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637233/Samsung-Keysight-validate-satellite-to-satellite-direct-to-cell-5G-mobility">Samsung, Keysight validate satellite-to-satellite, direct-to-cell 5G mobility</a>: Technology design, emulation and test services firm collaborates with CE and comms tech giant to validate 3GPP Release 19 non-terrestrial networks band as industry moves towards direct-to-cell satellite services.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Leading UK operator offers satellite comms links direct to leading Apple devices, initially supporting messaging and data across a range of apps https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/satellites-earth-tech-digital-pickup-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643852/Virgin-Media-O2-to-switch-on-O2-Satellite-for-iPhone Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:15:00 GMT <p><a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/Secure-Access-Service-Edge-SASE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Secure access service edge</a> (SASE) specialist <a href="https://www.catonetworks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cato Networks</a> has claimed a world record for vulnerability mitigation, saying it has cut “time-to-protect” for a newly discovered <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/Common-Vulnerabilities-and-Exposures-CVE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">common vulnerability and exposure</a> (CVE) down to 45 minutes using agentic threat intelligence.</p> <p>Traditional appliance-based security depends on a slow patching cycle in which suppliers develop protections and push them live as updates, following which customers must test them and upgrade or configure the assets in scope. This can take weeks in the wrong circumstances, and success hinges entirely on the actions of the customer security team.</p> <p>Cato’s cloud-native software architecture has already compressed this multi-week cycle to mere hours, but adding <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Agentic-AI-Trading-one-lock-in-for-another" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artificial intelligence (AI) agents</a> into the mix, it is now squeezing this timescale even more tightly, in the hope of protecting organisations from emerging exploits at machine, rather than human speed.</p> <p>Cato co-founder and CEO Shlomo Kramer said: “Attackers move in minutes. Appliance-centric security still moves in patch cycles. Cato closes the gap by turning new CVE intelligence into protections deployed globally across our cloud service, with zero customer effort. In the AI era, security architecture is no longer a matter of efficiency. It is a do-or-die security decision.”</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Why it matters"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Why it matters</h2> <p>When the end-of-year cyber roundups are written, one of the bigger technical stories of 2026 will be the advent of frontier AI models from the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI, which are supposedly accelerating the scale and speed of CVE disclosure <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/feature/Take-a-breath-A-CISOs-Claude-Mythos-advice-for-CIOs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to the consternation of many</a>.</p> <p>The US’ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reported that CVE submissions to its National Vulnerability Database (NVD) have ballooned by over 250% since the start of the 2020s and were over 33% year on year (YoY) during the first calendar quarter of 2026.</p> <p>In light of this, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641916/Surging-CVE-disclosures-force-NIST-to-shake-up-workflows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">back in April 2026</a>, NIST said that this surge was forcing it to revise its CVE classification methodology, with the result that it will be “enriching” flaws – providing detailed information to help end-users prioritise and mitigate them – far more rarely.</p> <p>In this new paradigm NIST is prioritising CVEs that appear in the US’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (Cisa’s) <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Known Exploited Vulnerabilities</a> (Kev) catalogue or those to which the US government is particularly exposed. Others will be left by the wayside.</p> <p>When one also considers that only just over half of edge device vulnerabilities were fully-mitigated in 2025 – <a href="https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/2025-dbir-executive-summary.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Verizon statistics</a> – Cato said that it was clear traditional patching methodologies are no longer up to the job. Security teams are no longer fighting time-to-protect, it argued, they are fighting to reduce time-to-exploit.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="How it works"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>How it works</h2> <p>Over its 11-year lifespan to date, Cato has been closely monitoring vulnerabilities, developing and validating protections, and deploying updates across its cloud with near-zero false positives, it has claimed.</p> <p>By applying AI agents to its operating model, it is now able to run the full protection lifecycle under human supervision but with no human involvement.</p> <p>Effectively, its agents are empowered to monitor and triage disclosed vulnerabilities from various sources, extract indicators of compromise (IoCs) and reproduce exploits inside a sandbox environment, develop threat signatures and test and simulate them to eliminate false positives or potential sources of disruption, and deploy these validated signatures to its cloud platform automatically, unburdening its customer security teams.</p> <p>The firm said that its visibility into the network to see attacks, the platform to correlate their context and the cloud to enforce protection worldwide puts it in an excellent position to operationalise security updates at machine speed.</p> <p>More widely, agentic CVE mitigation may herald a broader industry shift as security ops in general drift away from manual, user-run workflows to ongoing, machine-scale protection in the cloud.</p> <p>“The breakthrough here is not just speed,” said Elad Menahem, Cato senior vice-president of research. “It’s that vulnerability response itself can now operate continuously and at machine scale.”&nbsp;</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI agents</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li>Yet more billions are being spent on agentic AI, despite warnings of its potentially extreme fallibility. Just who are governments serving when they <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Is-AI-our-agent-or-are-our-governments-becoming-agents-for-AI" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spout the messaging of Big Tech companies?</a></li> <li>Telco StarHub is building a trust layer that will assign unique identities to AI agents, allowing it to monitor and block malicious agentic activity <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643695/StarHub-to-trial-SIM-based-IDs-for-governing-AI-agents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in real time</a>.</li> <li>The growing adoption of agentic AI will require IT leaders to rebalance their CPU and GPU estates, tightly integrate data layers, and redesign human workflows, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643753/Agentic-AI-is-driving-rethink-of-enterprise-architecture-and-tokenomics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Dell Technologies CTO John Roese</a>.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> The application of agentic AI to vulnerability management workflows has slashed mitigation times in experimental conditions, claims Sase specialist Cato Networks https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/data-virus-cyber-attack-freshidea-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366643833/AI-agents-help-Cato-slash-time-to-protect-from-new-CVEs Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:55:00 GMT 60 editor@computerweekly.com