The gaming evolution: cassette, cartridge, disc... cloud

The spread of the internet and the power of fibre broadband is having a profound effect on a number of industries – not least video gaming.

Every major console can now connect to the internet and more and more games are available with online multiplayer options and downloadable extras. You can easily access new games from the various marketplaces to download and start playing immediately.

And this virtual trend is set to continue.

Rumours are that Sony is retaining an optical drive for a disc in its next Playstation release, but we’re not that far away from a time when physical discs – and even consoles – disappear completely.

Just as we can stream songs and movies to smart TVs and mobile devices, a number of TV manufacturers are starting to do the same – with console-quality video games streaming already being touted.

Find out more on this BBC video report.

98 exchanges added to fibre rollout

We've just announced that we’re going to make fibre broadband available to a further 98 exchange areas – covering more than 800,000 additional homes and businesses.

The new list covers exchanges all over the country – from Sandown on the Isle of Wight to Oban on the west coast of Scotland. If all goes to plan these exchanges should be ready for action by late 2013. Check out our where and when map to see if your exchange is one of the lucky ones.

Over 10 million homes already have access to fibre broadband and today's news brings us another step closer to our goal of making it available to two-thirds of the UK by the end of 2014. And hopefully we won't stop there. We're working with BDUK and local government and communities to try and give as many people as possible access to the benefits of fibre broadband.

Our fibre upload speeds are the fastest in the UK, meaning large video and data files can be sent almost instantly and hi-res photos posted online in seconds. It's a real game-changer and is set to revolutionise the way we use the internet.

Read the full press release here.

Broadband Labs pushing innovation out in the field

A new initiative, Superfast Cornwall Labs, is aiming to push the boundaries of what’s possible using superfast fibre broadband.

Labs is backed by the University College Falmouth (UCF) and other higher education establishments, Cornwall Development Company, BT and Cornish businesses. The project will investigate the ways in which university skills and education can be extended to rural communities using fibre broadband.

Among the initiatives already under way is a ‘University of the Village’, a project between UCF, University of Glamorgan, BT and rural communities in Cornwall and Wales.

Another project is Vconect – an EU-funded initiative carrying out field trials which goes beyond the traditional business use of advanced video conferencing systems. Experts believe this could open the doors to exciting developments in telecare and online learning.

Superfast Cornwall is a pioneering partnership between the EU, BT and Cornwall Council, which has already made fibre broadband available to about 100,000 Cornish homes and businesses.

New law aims to halt stolen scrap metal trade

Metal theft is something we've been banging on about for ages. Our network is one of the prime targets for thieves and we've been working with Crimestoppers and SmartWater to protect it.

Metal theft causes untold problems – and it can put people in real danger, as local communities find themselves cut off with no access to emergency services. It's a similar story for train companies who have had lines targeted.

It's obviously a lucrative trade, but things have hit a new low when you have people who would steal from graveyards and memorials to children for a quick buck. That's why we're totally behind plans to introduce a new law to better regulate the scrap metal trade.

In the meantime, we're still doing our bit with a three-pronged attack on cable thieves.