01732 759725 06 BULLETIN continued... One million milestone Next generation fibre network operator nexfibre claims to have the fastest fibrebuild programme of any UK network after reaching 1 million premises passed and ready for service in just 14 months through its build partnership with Virgin Media O2. With further investment of £1 billion this year, the wholesale-only provider is set to deliver its network to more premises than any other fibre provider in 2024, bar Openreach, making it the UK’s second largest network provider in only its second year of operations. By 2026, it aims to have rolled out fibre to 5 million premises not currently served by Virgin Media O2’s network. Today Virgin Media O2 provides broadband services reaching speeds of up to 2Gbps across the nexfibre network. WiFi on Mars In preparation for future Mars missions, the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) has been testing equipment, procedures and experiments in the province of Ararat, Armenia under conditions that are as close to the red planet as possible. This includes Wi-Fi technology from LANCOM Systems, which is used for communications in the field and with ground control and to transmit data (on heart rates and body temperature, CO2 and oxygen content) from sensors in the six astronauts’ spacesuits via Wi-Fi antennae on the back of their suits. WiFi, also used to control robotic vehicles, is provided by routers and outdoor access points mounted on tripods in a high-availability network of wireless pointto-point links. https://oewf.org/en/amadee-24/ Speedy printing HP is continuing its multi-year partnership with the Andretti INDYCAR race team, which has come to depend on HP technology for the rapid printing of eco-friendly race car wraps with no hazardous air pollutants. This year, it is using two HP Latex printers (an 800W and 700W) to produce vibrant full-colour (inc. white) wraps for its 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES entries. Jeff Childers, Creative Director at Andretti Global, said: “We have more teams, cars and volume than ever before. Working with HP has enabled us to meet the demanding output required in the racing industry at speeds that would otherwise be unachievable. The HP Latex printers ensure every wrap we produce is as environmentally friendly as possible, while still displaying a full color gamut. “By having the printers in house, we can quickly turn liveries from one race to the next. If a partner is promoting one brand in one market, and another in the next, we rely on the HP printers for the quick turnaround needed.” www.hp.com .... On the button Microsoft has launched its first Surface devices to be optimised for AI and business. Both the two-in-one Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 feature a new Copilot key for AI assistance; integrated Neural Processing Units offering AI features like Windows Studio Effects and Live Captions and the opportunity for businesses to build their own AI apps; and the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, providing 2x faster performance on the Surface Laptop 6 and a 53% speed boost on the Surface Pro 10. Other selling points are Windows 11 Pro, robust security and a host of feature upgrades including an Ultrawide Studio Camera with a 114° field of view and, coming later this year, a Surface Pro 10 with 5G. Surface.com/Business IT industry regatta returns to the Solent The Russell-Cooke Silicon Cup Regatta, the IT industry’s biggest charity sailing event, is returning to the Solent this September. The annual two-day event gives IT companies the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals on professionally crewed eight or ten-guest yachts, while raising money for three charities: The Genie’s Wish, The Andrew Simpson Foundation and Greig City Academy. Shaun Frohlich, Chairman of the Russell-Cooke Silicon Cup Regatta, said: “Last year’s event yielded an impactful £48,000 contribution to our three charities and we are excited to be returning to the water this September and pushing the funds raised even higher.” Over the last 23 years, more than 7,250 competitors have taken part in the regatta, raising a total of £1.15 million. The 2024 event sponsored by Russell-Cooke Solicitors for the second year will take place on September 17 and 18, with a gala dinner and charity auction at Cowes on the Isle of Wight on the night of the 17th. https://thesiliconcup.com Photo: ÖWF/Florian Voggeneder
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