BT Group
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OperationsBT’s revamped Newcastle office set for re-opening
Operator to inaugurate opening of “ o ne of first ” upgraded offices under Better Workplace scheme. “ First phase ” of site redevelopment completed, with h ybrid working practices helping maintain operations in meantime. Gosforth to prioritise employee welfare as a means to boost customer ...
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Strategy & Change
Networks joins Digital division to replace BT Technology
BT Technology was shuttered and replaced by two new divisions: BT Digital and BT Networks. Harmeen Mehta and Howard Watson at the respective helms as BT seeks transformation and modernisation. Fotis Karonis replacement named at BT Enterprise.
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Public Affairs
Threat of BT national strike intensifies
CWU calls on BT member base to back strike action, with further details on proposed ballot in “ coming weeks ”. Group transformation continues to exacerbate already disaffected BT-union relations. Mass walkouts from ‘late-spring’ a possibility. Union and BT share very different relationship perspectives.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT shines light on AI in the East
Adastral Park R D facility takes centre stage in inaugural Artificial Intelligence Festival. East of England emerges as UK hub for AI research and innovation. BT asserts AI thought leadership and is UK’s top AI patent filer. Group’s use of AI aligns with telco peers, but ...
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Suppliers & SCM
BT calls on supplier base to zero in on emissions
Operator moves into new territory to firm up green credentials, and aims to galvanise suppliers to cut indirect ( Scope 3 ) emissions. Incentive behind new call illustrated by latest CDP report. Major BT suppliers underline their sustainability commitments.
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Network & Infrastructure
MBNL embraces machine learning for predictive maintenance
JV working with Kortical, Blue Prism, and Greenhouse Intelligence. Algorithms predict mast cooling system failures to prevent overheating and outages.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS preps Gigabit UK as MPs growl and BT looks ahead
Government finally picking up on election promises of Gigabit connectivity and consulting on how best to spend a more limited budget. Age-old questions remain over how to connect the unconnected, however.
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Partnerships & Alliances
5G opening doors for BT in Warwickshire
Group pushing for startup ecosystem based on broad-sweeping open innovation partnership with Warwick Uni. 5G to be expediated to Leamington Spa and wider network, with opportunities for gaming cluster highlighted.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS taking an ‘outside‑in’ approach, but vouchers there for quick wins
Small targeted interventions and mid‑size fill‑ins expected to feature in first swathe of public–private contracts. Mega‑deals not ruled out. Pragmatic use of Public Sector Hubs another option.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS helping England play catch up, or possibly leapfrog
Devolved nations at the back of the queue for new money. Fibre emphasised over cable.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS defends its record as PAC report sees trouble ahead
PAC scathing in review of previous funding plans. Watchdog critical of a lack of planning and joined‑up thinking now. Rural sites seen as at risk of being overlooked in trimmed-down Gigabit programme.
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Network & Infrastructure
A lack of joined up governing
Red tape roadblocks remain in place. Business rates continue to stick in craw of infra players. Double-edged sword on state aid changes.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT and Openreach voices being heard
BT execs appear to be getting message across on need for support. Rivals remain keen to extract more concessions from Openreach on infra access.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen just wants to get on with it
Jansen’s BT more focused on regulatory leeway on build than government handouts. CEO wants closer scrutiny of data and digital‑based services.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Openreach hits FTTP milestone in Cumbria
Connecting Cumbria programme completes Phase Two , nearing regional ‘superfast’ targets. Phase Three on the table to finish the job. Gigabit-capable coverage lags behind for rural premises.
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Suppliers & SCM
Openreach deploys EXFO technology for fibre rollout
Rollout speed gains stressed as key motivator for purchase.
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Strategy & Change
BT turns to disruptive AI veteran in pursuit of Ambition 2030
Airtel CIO Harmeen Mehta bringing even greater AI advocacy and a ‘big tech’ frame of mind to BT’s new Digital division. Philip Jansen looking at bigger picture beyond fibre rollout as he sees Group’s future in delivering a UK platform for software‑defined services.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT explores edge to “level up” latency for UK gamers
As BT’s edge strategy evolves, gaming emerges as potential use-case. BT’s Neil McRae shares latest thinking about edge business cases. Consumer edge applications more advanced than enterprise services.
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M&A
BT Cornwall quietly put into liquidation
Business blighted by falling-out between BT and its local public sector partners to be wound up. Another marker of troubled public-private partnership approach to council contracts confined to past.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach requests COVID vaccine relief
Direct talks between Openreach and government officials confirmed. COVID‑19 surge halts operations. Openreach seeks to highlight public importance of connectivity.
