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Matthew Howett

Huawei Headache Returns for Britain’s Government and Carriers

Huawei Headache Returns for Britain’s Government and Carriers

A route forward is unclear. Some rebels may accept a cap lower than 35%. But others are siding with Trump, arguing that security concerns and alleged Chinese government influence over the company mean that it should be banned completely. Huawei has repeatedly said such fears are unfounded. The latter route would be expensive and convoluted: It would delay Britain’s 5G roll-out by two years and cost the U.K. economy 6.8 billion pounds ($8.5 billion), according to London-based technology analyst firm Assembly Research, harming productivity and risking the loss of key investment in 5G technology like connected factories and automated vehicles.

“It comes at an unwelcome time,” said that report’s author, Matthew Howett. “We’ve all come to realize just how important and crucial connectivity is, and anyone who’s had a poor experience will want those upgrades to happen yesterday, not in another 24 months’ time.”

Vodafone criticised over timing of UK price rise

Vodafone criticised over timing of UK price rise

“Vodafone was caught between a rock and a hard place,” said Matt Howett, founder of Assembly Research, noting that although the company was simply later than its rivals in raising prices its timing was poor. “It doesn’t look good,” he said.

Mr Howett said that price rises that could have been frozen undermine those efforts. “You are giving with one hand and taking away with another. What consumers really feel most right now is what is coming out of their pockets,” he said.

Internet use could be rationed to prioritise health services and online lessons

Internet use could be rationed to prioritise health services and online lessons

"If we end up in a situation where worldwide, 850m children start to receive lessons virtually for an extended period of time, then networks might want to start prioritising video traffic over gaming traffic," said Matthew Howett, principal analyst at Assembly.

Coronavirus is forcing people to work from home. Will it break the internet?

Coronavirus is forcing people to work from home. Will it break the internet?

“We will need to watch what traffic patterns are like to ensure a smooth experience for everyone,” said Matthew Howett, founder of Assembly, a telecoms regulatory consultancy firm in London. “Some people are experiencing problems with online services. But that’s a problem with those services, and not the network.”

Huawei curbs force UK telecoms groups to review 5G plans

Huawei curbs force UK telecoms groups to review 5G plans

Matt Howett, an analyst with Assembly, said that although the Huawei decision is important for the UK industry, it could have a negative effect on the economy if telecoms companies end up having to delay the roll out of 5G networks in order to comply with the cap.

“This will cost the economy if there is a material delay on 5G rollouts,” he said.

Full-fibre broadband to reach more of the UK

Full-fibre broadband to reach more of the UK

Matthew Howett, founder of research firm Assembly, sympathised with Openreach's frustration over business rates.

"It's a barrier that the whole industry is behind removing. Currently in England the exemption only lasts for five years, and 10 years in Scotland, but for the operators the business case for rolling out fibre is over a much longer period, often over 15 years."

He also acknowledged that "broadband, while digital, can still be a very analogue and labour-intensive job to install".

"As much as 70% of the cost of rolling out broadband is in the civil works - the digging, manual labour and road closures that go with it. So, any innovations that reduce these costs will ultimately result in broadband being deployed faster, and to more people."

Will consumers reap the benefits of free broadband?

Will consumers reap the benefits of free broadband?

Matthew Howett, principal analyst at Assembly Research, said the “wheels would come off” the competitive market if it was replaced by a “bland public owned corporation selling standard connectivity”. That would hit innovation and investment in new services as it is hard to compete with free.

He also asked whether consumers would look forward to dealing with government customer services every time they had a problem with their WiFi. “No one says BT is perfect. It’s excruciating to deal with but dealing with the government would be like pulling teeth. It will be a nightmare,” he said.

Will fibre broadband be obsolete by 2030 - and what about 5G?

Will fibre broadband be obsolete by 2030 - and what about 5G?

But full-fibre broadband, where ultra-fast optical cables carry data right into your home or office, is currently the "gold standard".

"There is no doubt that we need fibre connectivity, in particular all the way to the home. That's something everybody is on board with across the industry and political parties," said Matthew Howett, an analyst at Assembly Research.

However, the government plans to auction lower-frequency spectrum - freed up from the digital TV switchover - for 5G services.

"The 700MHz frequency band that will be auctioned is good at covering large rural areas," said Mr Howett. "Anything freed up from that switchover from analogue to digital TV means you can reach more people with fewer base stations."

How feasible is Labour's free broadband plan and part-nationalisation of BT?

How feasible is Labour's free broadband plan and part-nationalisation of BT?

Would nationalising broadband work?

Australia has tried to do this with its National Broadband Network and it has been branded one of the biggest infrastructure failures in its history. Set up in 2006, the government’s plan was to roll out full fibre to 93% of all premises, although over the years this was watered down to a “multi-technology mix” using different technologies offering varying levels of speed and service to consumers. “Only one other country in the world has come close to going down this route, Australia,” says Matthew Howett, the principal analyst at telecoms research firm Assembly. “And for a good reason – it’s hard, expensive and fraught with difficulty. Australia’s NBN is years late, massively overbudget and offering speeds and technology a fraction of the original political intention.”

Four reasons to fear Labour's plan to part-nationalise BT

Four reasons to fear Labour's plan to part-nationalise BT

At telecoms giant Telstra’s October AGM, chairman John Mullen claimed all Australians would have access to high-speed internet at a “fraction of the cost” if the government had not proceeded with the project.

Matthew Howett, principal analyst at Assembly Research, agrees: “Only one other country in the world has gone down this route, and for a good reason. It’s hard, expensive and fraught with difficulty. Australia’s NBN is years late, massively over budget and offering speeds and technology a fraction of the original political aim.”

Labour's free broadband plan sparks industry fears

Labour's free broadband plan sparks industry fears

Analysts warned that state control of Openreach could bankrupt rival cable providers such as Virgin Media, whose cable network covers half the UK, as well as TalkTalk and smaller challengers.

“What would the poin of their existence be?” said Matthew Howett, an analyst at Assembly. “They would fall away overnight. It would add to the lunacy.”