Latest news with #NTIA
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Turn empty London office blocks into ‘late-night party zones', report suggests
Could the future of Canary Wharf lie in thumping beats and dancefloor raves? Could the City of London become a global hub of nocturnal revelry? With financial districts struggling to bounce back to full capacity post-Covid, and the nightlife industry facing an existential crisis, there are suggestions clubs could move into deserted office blocks at evenings and weekends. In its annual eccentric report on the future of leisure, the creative studio Bompas and Parr says it envisions 'a future where financial districts in London and the world over are transformed into world-class late-night party zones'. 'By day, the city bustles with suits and stocks. By night, it's reborn as a pulsating rave arena,' the report says. 'With few residents to file noise complaints, organisers capitalise on the empty, echoing canyons of glass and steel. 'Empty office lobbies become sought-after DJ booths, rooftops host industry defining light shows, and any space that isn't locked morphs into a dancefloor to create a sprawling web of passionate chaos as capitalism and counterculture merge.' It may sound far-fetched, but it could become reality as the corporate and hospitality industries respond to changing behaviour in a post-Covid world. Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the prospect of few noise complaints and the need to boost footfall in areas that workers have deserted in the shift to work from home made it an appealing prospect. 'There are conversations going on about things like the City of London, where the financial district is, as there is a very limited residential core so without a doubt, given some of the noise complaints and restrictions, that actually makes sense and works for nightlife,' Kill said. About 500,000 people work in the City of London but only 8,500 people live there, reducing the likelihood of noise complaints from residential properties, something that has proven a hindrance for venues in recent years. Kill said some financial districts were struggling with the impact of having only 'three core days with full workforce', as many people were choosing to work from home on Mondays and Fridays. 'What we've always had with the financial districts is, after a Friday night, they close down and everyone disappears,' he said. 'But now we're seeing people only work from the office for about three days a week. Friday has become an extension of the weekend. So landlords are obviously looking for new opportunities, and that is a very constructive conversation we're having.' He said there were conversations about how zoning rules could be adjusted to give 'preferential planning and licensing opportunities' to nightlife and hospitality businesses in financial areas. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The NTIA has warned the UK nightlife sector faces extinction by 2029 if venue closures persist. The number of nightclubs has more than halved between 2013 and 2024. The rate of decline was exacerbated by the pandemic, when clubs were shut for months on end and more than a third of the country's venues closed for good. The industry was continuously adapting to entice people back to the dancefloor and ensure the sector's survival, Kill said, with everything from 'light clubbing to full-fat clubbing to hybrid spaces and the evolution of venues with multifaceted options like conference spacing'. Bompas and Parr predicted that capitalising on the over-50s market would be key, and that the 'generation that pioneered sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll' would be seeking new ways to spend their spare time. Kill said: 'What we've seen is the industry, in many respects, has been propped up by an older generation that are plugged into revisiting those club culture memories, rave memories, events memories. The reality is, all they want to do is go out and revisit their youth. 'So it's absolutely something that is happening and is a growing market that is without a doubt now being noticed by the sector as a whole as a big opportunity.'
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Turn empty London office blocks into ‘late-night party zones', report suggests
Could the future of Canary Wharf lie in thumping beats and dancefloor raves? Could the City of London become a global hub of nocturnal revelry? With financial districts struggling to bounce back to full capacity post-Covid, and the nightlife industry facing an existential crisis, there are suggestions clubs could move into deserted office blocks at evenings and weekends. In its annual eccentric report on the future of leisure, the creative studio Bompas and Parr says it envisions 'a future where financial districts in London and the world over are transformed into world-class late-night party zones'. 'By day, the city bustles with suits and stocks. By night, it's reborn as a pulsating rave arena,' the report says. 'With few residents to file noise complaints, organisers capitalise on the empty, echoing canyons of glass and steel. 'Empty office lobbies become sought-after DJ booths, rooftops host industry defining light shows, and any space that isn't locked morphs into a dancefloor to create a sprawling web of passionate chaos as capitalism and counterculture merge.' It may sound far-fetched, but it could become reality as the corporate and hospitality industries respond to changing behaviour in a post-Covid world. Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the prospect of few noise complaints and the need to boost footfall in areas that workers have deserted in the shift to work from home made it an appealing prospect. 'There are conversations going on about things like the City of London, where the financial district is, as there is a very limited residential core so without a doubt, given some of the noise complaints and restrictions, that actually makes sense and works for nightlife,' Kill said. About 500,000 people work in the City of London but only 8,500 people live there, reducing the likelihood of noise complaints from residential properties, something that has proven a hindrance for venues in recent years. Kill said some financial districts were struggling with the impact of having only 'three core days with full workforce', as many people were choosing to work from home on Mondays and Fridays. 'What we've always had with the financial districts is, after a Friday night, they close down and everyone disappears,' he said. 'But now we're seeing people only work from the office for about three days a week. Friday has become an extension of the weekend. So landlords are obviously looking for new opportunities, and that is a very constructive conversation we're having.' He said there were conversations about how zoning rules could be adjusted to give 'preferential planning and licensing opportunities' to nightlife and hospitality businesses in financial areas. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The NTIA has warned the UK nightlife sector faces extinction by 2029 if venue closures persist. The number of nightclubs has more than halved between 2013 and 2024. The rate of decline was exacerbated by the pandemic, when clubs were shut for months on end and more than a third of the country's venues closed for good. The industry was continuously adapting to entice people back to the dancefloor and ensure the sector's survival, Kill said, with everything from 'light clubbing to full-fat clubbing to hybrid spaces and the evolution of venues with multifaceted options like conference spacing'. Bompas and Parr predicted that capitalising on the over-50s market would be key, and that the 'generation that pioneered sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll' would be seeking new ways to spend their spare time. Kill said: 'What we've seen is the industry, in many respects, has been propped up by an older generation that are plugged into revisiting those club culture memories, rave memories, events memories. The reality is, all they want to do is go out and revisit their youth. 'So it's absolutely something that is happening and is a growing market that is without a doubt now being noticed by the sector as a whole as a big opportunity.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VIAVI Introduces Colocation Capability at VALOR Lab-as-a-Service Testing Facility
Lab will support semi-permanent setups, offering more flexibility and capacity for customers requiring expanded test services CHANDLER, Ariz., July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VIAVI Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced that it has added colocation capability to its VIAVI Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOR™) facility to address the increased demand for comprehensive testing from Open RAN customers. Based in Chandler, Arizona, VALOR is funded by the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF). As an alternative to its on-demand customer labs, VALOR's colocation model offers more flexibility and capacity. Customers can access the lab for a longer period and conduct comprehensive testing throughout the product lifecycle with a semi-permanent setup. Network data in the lab is segregated using VLANs to ensure secure, isolated environments for each customer's testing requirements, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity across various testing scenarios. "We're excited to introduce this new colocation offering at VALOR. With two available engagement models, VALOR can now service both vendors who are looking for specific tests during the development and pre-certification process, as well as those seeking longer-term, comprehensive end-to-end and scalable testing," said Erik Probstfield, Senior Director, VALOR, VIAVI. "This colocation framework builds upon the NTIA PWSCIF model. Focused on wireless infrastructure, PWSCIF acts as a force multiplier where federal spending is a catalyst drawing additional investment from private industry. Ultimately, this accelerates the development of open, secure wireless ecosystems with industry-wide investment value significantly greater than the base federal funding. We look forward to providing this expanded service offering to our customers in alignment with the mission and objectives of the NTIA and PWSCIF." The VALOR Lab offers a highly automated, open and impartial Lab-as-a-Service / Test-as-a-Service suite for Open RAN interoperability, performance and security. In addition to the colocation lab and two on-demand labs, customers can also access a state-of-the-art RF chamber for Massive MIMO and beamforming over-the-air (OTA) validation, including system-level Massive MIMO performance testing for up to 16 parallel spatial layers. Leveraging VIAVI's industry-leading NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite, the VAMOS unified framework for hybrid physical and cloud-based testing, reference O-RUs, O-DUs and O-CUs, as well as a knowledgeable support team, the VALOR Lab enables emerging Open RAN technology vendors to test their products without significant upfront investment. Risks associated with building in-house Open RAN testing capabilities are offloaded to VIAVI, resulting in quicker time to market and more flexible deployment. About VIAVIVIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. Learn more about VIAVI at Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube. Media Inquiries:Grand BridgesEmma Jenkinsemma@ 415 800 4529 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE VIAVI Solutions Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Winncom Technologies Launches BEAD Grant Writing Reimbursement Program to Help Navigate Major Federal Policy Shift
SOLON, Ohio, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 6, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced sweeping revisions to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The changes—outlined in a new Policy Notice—eliminate the previous fiber-only preference in favor of a technology-neutral framework. For the first time, providers using Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), satellite, and hybrid models will be evaluated on equal footing with fiber networks. While these changes reduce regulatory burdens and open the door to innovation, they also require that all previously submitted BEAD proposals be revised and resubmitted—within just 90 days. For many providers, that is a logistical and financial challenge. To meet this moment, Winncom Technologies is expanding its BEAD Grant Writing Assistance Program with a new reimbursement model. Customers who leverage Winncom's in-house team for grant writing support will now receive a 75% credit toward product purchases across its entire vendor portfolio, effectively reducing the upfront risk of applying. "BEAD applicants are under pressure to rework plans quickly—and in many cases, completely rethink their deployment strategy," said VP of Sales & Business Development at Winncom Technologies. "We built our reimbursement model so that service providers can pivot confidently, without the high financial burden that usually comes with hiring a grant writer." Winncom's program, originally launched in early 2024, has already guided dozens of ISPs, rural cooperatives, and municipal utilities through the application process. With the new NTIA rules prioritizing performance and cost-efficiency over fiber exclusivity, Winncom's multi-technology expertise—spanning FWA, and fiber—positions it as a strategic partner in this next phase of BEAD funding. "This isn't just about writing a grant—it's about helping our customers win," adds Aaron Savy. "Whether you're re-submitting a fiber build or now considering Fixed Wireless Access (3.5GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, 60GHz) for the first time, our team is here to help you put together a competitive, compliant application before the clock runs out." For more information on Winncom's BEAD Grant Writing Assistance Program, including reimbursement eligibility and service scope, visit or contact bead@ About Winncom Technologies: Winncom Technologies, a global value-added distributor of wireless and wired broadband equipment offers the most advanced forms of communication by providing customers with cutting-edge, industry-leading products and solutions. With a far-reaching international scope, Winncom remains at the forefront of the global technology marketplace, demonstrating a reputation for quality products, a full range of network infrastructure and access products, and a customer-centric business model. We offer one of the industry's most notable product portfolios along with scalable solutions, world-class customer service, engineering services, network design, and outstanding more information, visit: Valuable Winncom Technologies Resources: Winncom Technologies' Grant Writing Services Brochure Grant Writing Assistance Program Winncom Technologies' BEAD Program Dept of Commerce BEAD Restructuring Policy Official Notice Schedule an Application Review Meeting View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Winncom Technologies, Corp Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why we're all eating dinner later and how it affects our health
Sitting down for dinner around 7pm has been a part of the average Briton's daily schedule since forever, but new reports suggest a later dinnertime is becoming more popular. The phenomenon of late-night dinners comes as nightlife in London and across the UK continues to decline. According to data from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), the UK lost more than a third (37%) of its nightclubs between 2020 to 2024. On top of rising operational costs, the blow to nightlife came as the cost of living crisis led Brits to spend less on going out. But those of us who still want to go out and stay out late have begun turning to restaurants to satisfy the itch for a good night out, and restaurants have responded by extending opening hours and allowing dinner bookings past 10pm. First reported by British GQ, the shift to eating into the night emulates the habits of our European neighbours. In Spain, for example, most people only sit down for their evening meal after 9pm – and it's not uncommon to be eating dinner as late as 11pm. But what happens to your body when you start eating later at night? We take a closer look at what the science of late-night eating says. Some studies suggest that eating before bed could be beneficial for people with diabetes, as this can help stabilise blood sugar levels as they sleep. According to The Sleep Foundation, if a diabetic person's blood sugar levels drop too low while they are asleep, they may experience nightmares or night sweats, and can wake up feeling feeling irritable, confused, or tired. However, that's not to say that eating a full, heavy meal is necessarily the way to go. Instead, scientists say eating small, nutrient-dense snacks can help maintain blood sugar balance. Eating later could also help you fall asleep faster, particularly if you're eating foods high in the amino acid tryptophan, or hormones serotonin or melatonin. For example, fish, nuts and seeds are high in melatonin, while eggs, cheese and tofu have high levels of serotonin. Foods that are high in tryptophan include meats like turkey, chicken and beef. Feeling full and satisfied can also help you drift off to sleep. If you're prone to acid reflux, then eating less than two to three hours before bedtime is a bad idea, wrote Jill Chodak, registered dietitian at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels up towards the throat, and can be worse when laying down. According to Chodak, eating within two to three hours of bedtime can trigger acid production in the stomach. "Lying down shortly after eating may cause acid to move up into the oesophagus, leading to discomfort and irritation," she added. Many people also report having nightmares when they eat late at night, although there are no definitive studies to explain the phenomenon. However, experts from Harvard Medical School suggest that eating a large meal, especially a high-carbohydrate meal right before going to bed, could trigger night sweats as the body generates heat while metabolising food. This can cause discomfort and sleep disruption, which for some people may manifest in the form of nightmares. Several studies have warned that chowing down late at night can increase the risk of weight gain, and in some people, the risk of obesity. A 2022 study published in the journal Cell Metabolism found that people who eat later at night burn calories slower and become more prone to fat growth. The study's senior author Frank Scheer, Harvard Medical School professor of medicine, said: "Previous research by us and others had shown that late eating is associated with increased obesity risk, increased body fat, and impaired weight loss success. We wanted to understand why." First author Nina Vujović, a researcher in the Medical Chronobiology Program, added: "In this study, we asked does the time that we eat matter when everything else is kept consistent. "And we found that eating four hours later makes a significant difference for our hunger levels, the way we burn calories after we eat, and the way we store fat." Eating foods that are high in sugar can also increase the risk of diabetes. In people who are already diabetic, it can contribute to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). However, it's important to understand that a number of factors can also contribute to these increased risks and eating late at night is not the sole cause. Irregular sleeping patterns and meal times, as well as making unhealthy food choices, can raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic diseases. 10 foods that may reduce your risk of developing dementia (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) 5 ultra-processed foods you shouldn't stop eating (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) This is how much sugar is in your favourite baked bean brands (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
