Weekly news round-up: UK invests in AI and 5G & Sky to launch 50 originals

UK budgets for AI and 5G

The BBC reported the news of the UK government’s autumn budget will include more money for artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of 5G networks. Some £75 million has been assigned to AI and £160 million for 5G. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the funding will drive Britain’s position as a world leader in technology and innovation as well as funding to put driverless cars on the roads by 2021. 

FCC favours net neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it would revoke the Obama administration protection to guaranteed net neutrality. The concept that all internet traffic is equal is significantly undermining the functionality of the internet. According to the Independent, the FCC received hundreds of thousands of fake messages which are now being used to justify the change in rules. 

Sky to screen 50 originals

Expanding into more original content, Sky UK has announced its plan to screen over 50 original series in 2018. The group Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch is following through on his promise of increasing original productions by 25%, with eight new commissions. Broadband TV News reported that Sky is looking to remain competitive against its international audiences in the German and Italian markets along with Netflix.    

Broadcom sweetens bid for Qualcomm

Chipmaker Broadcom is considering raising the offer to buy Qualcom by offering more of its own stock, according to Reuters. Broadcom’s Chief Executive Hock Tan plans to launch a “takeover battle” to increase the pressure on Qualcom encouraging negotiations to take place by offering more to its shareholders and threatening to replace the board of directors. 

Virgin launches VPN service

Virgin Media is set to launch in January 2018 its new service ‘Business Anywhere’ allowing network users to access their work using VPN’s from mobile devices. The service will replace user authentication with automatic SIM card authentication and enable remote working in a secure environment. Telecoms reported, the service is a cheaper alternative to logging in the “old-fashioned way” but perhaps is more attractive to those working in the field.  

Netflix strengthens partnership with Deutsche Telekom

Netflix and Deutsche Telekom have signed a global agreement building on its existing partnership to offer the streaming service to all international subsidiaries of the German telco. Broadband TV News reported the collaboration which will benefit Deutsche Telekom’s customers in Germany, Poland, Croatia, Greece and Romania, who will have unlimited streaming over their mobile network and access to a new world of content.   

Russian media war escalates 

Kremlin-funded news outlets including Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik are being de-ranked by Google in the news search results, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Russian has responded with threats to block ads appearing on Google, essentially cutting off the online giant’s revenue stream. The censorship will attempt to stop the spread of “weaponised” information and media manipulation, the BBC reported, noting in October Twitter had stopped advertisements from RT and Sputnik as well. 

London to create tech opportunities

Creative start-up company, Second Home, has snapped up real estate in Clerkenwell, London to develop a sleek working space aimed at encouraging technology innovation. The digital revolution has converged the technology, media and telcoms sectors, according to the Financial Times the UK needs more innovation with large corporations learning from ambitious start-ups.