BT Group – Page 39
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Innovation (R&D)
BT wants 6G to solve real-world problems
Senior BT execs say new technology should respond to consumer, industry needs. No appetite for a “step change” in radio; 5G backwards compatibility a must. Coverage, reliability more promising areas for 6G improvement than peak data rates.
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Strategy & Change
Digital duo plan to be catalysts of change for BT
Incomers Harmeen Mehta and Rob Shuter are tag-teaming to bring their external perspectives to BT’s digital transformation plans. Enterprise unit set to become a route to market for emerging services, with a “fail fast” mindset. BT described as receptive to need for change, but Mehta calling for people to ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BT says awareness of 2025 PSTN shutdown not high enough
Senior BT Enterprise exec highlights lack of forward all-IP planning among some critical national infrastructure organisations. Encourages all CPs to put CNI at the heart of their transformation programmes. Advocates a government-led campaign to raise PSTN shutdown awareness. Industry still grappling with how best to provide power backup and ...
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Operations
Openreach’s Selley slams “shambles” of UK EV charging market
UK’s second-biggest van owner buying electric vehicles from Spain because of lack of domestic commercial electric van manufacturing. Openreach CEO bemoans thin and unreliable charging network; says UK “behind game”. Just 600 of Openreach’s 28,000 commercial vans currently electric. CEO regards hydrogen as likely candidate for heavy vehicles.
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Strategy & Change
BT establishes new digital health unit
Group recruiting for newly formed Digital Healthcare division. Unit to develop e-health startup ecosystem, with provision of path-to-market options. ‘BT Incubation’ revealed as working title for broader tech accelerator branch.
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Strategy & Change
Jansen wants YOU: BT pitches for tech talent in reinvention drive
BT CEO uses TM Forum event to pitch BT as a destination employer for digital talent as he seeks to move faster on digitalisation. Fundamental importance of network core underlined, but BT’s staff expected to be open to reskilling to meet the needs of a software-driven business. Partnerships and ...
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Innovation (R&D)
BT likes NANF hollow core fibre, but work still to do
Senior BT researchers optimistic about multiple use-cases for Lumenisity’s hollow fibre, but commercial timeframes unclear. “Reams and reams of data” still need to be pored over as part of due diligence process. BT confident, however, that Lumenisity has reached the point of producing “duct-deployable” HCF cable.
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M&A
DAZN targets Premier League with BT Sport bid — reports
Reports indicate BT is in “advanced” stage talks with DAZN to offload BT Sport, with a deal mooted “within weeks”. Broadcasting rights the big-ticket item for US streaming specialist, while BT looks to focus efforts on network expansion.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT ties with Sweden’s Skydome on emergency response
VR leveraged by embryonic Skydome for incident monitoring purposes. Startup’s R&D partners include Intel. Potential for deployment at BT’s network of smart ports.
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Premium
CityFibre bags fresh cash injection
Openreach challenger announces fresh funds through stake sale and bond issue. Capital “enables” Project Gigabit ambitions. CityFibre’s FTTP rollout reaches 650,000 premises. Altnet momentum builds with an estimated £8bn in investment publicly promised.
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People
BT Sourced adds transformation lead
Former Allianz buying head appointed Director, Procurement Transformation.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT quantum-secures hollow core fibre in trial
QKD hook-up with Lumenisity HCF pitched as world first. Lord says trial “accelerates the UK’s lead in quantum technologies”. Widespread HCF deployment still some way off, however.
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Premium
BT Pension Scheme completes Hermes exit
Federated Hermes actions call option to acquire BTPS’s residual shareholding in fund manager. BT on track with pension deficit recovery plan.
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Premium
TEAC UK edge startup Ori adds KX analytics
Speedy analytics and edge compute platform for enterprises. Another step in BT’s private edge network ambitions.
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Premium
BT includes rugby in Vena line-up
Tressler enthusiastic about Vena commercial model for sports. Media and Broadcast launches Vena ‘quick start’ programme to learn more about sports’ requirements.
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Premium
BT enhances Forescout security partnership
BT Security wants to help improve cyber-resilience at its enterprise customers.
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Premium
Openreach and Nokia trial 25Gbps FTTP technology
Other FTTP partners ADTRAN and Huawei are said to favour 50G PON.
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Premium
Openreach bulking up in Northern Ireland
Openreach Northern Ireland ramps up recruitment, with 16 new openings in nascent civil engineering division. Pressure is on to meet near-term FTTP rollout target. NI tops UK for ultrafast coverage.
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Premium
Altnets object to Openreach FTTP price proposal
Regulatory spat over wholesale FTTP pricing spills out into the open. Openreach says new prices offer certainty and encourage FTTP take-up. Fibre rivals claim the cheaper wholesale pricing scheme will reduce infrastructure competition and deter investment. Ofcom provisionally says no action needed, but final decision is expected by the ...