BT Group – Page 47
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Network & InfrastructureBT explores optical options after Moore, Shannon
Lord keen to leverage lower-cost data centre technologies for network deployment. Floats idea of ripping out ROADMs in core network and replacing them with routers and ZR optics pluggables. Lower prices through photonic integration seen as key. Promising trials with hollow-core and multi-core fibre.
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Public AffairsThreat 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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Public AffairsBT braces as Ofcom fibre ruling looms
Ofcom to set out its fibre vision this week, and while BT may get pricing freedom, it may not get the longer-term clarity it craves. Regulator’s steps to open up infrastructure competition may also disrupt the incumbent’s plans.
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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 recent moves suggest bigger ...
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PeopleBT denies right royal dust-up at the top
Group moved to issue a denial of Jansen ultimatum as speculation swirls on du Plessis’ surprise departure decision. Two camps emerging, with some discontent at Jansen power moves, but CEO’s position appears safe for now. Beyond rumours and gossip, BT board looks starved of experience needed for Group transformation ...
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Network & InfrastructureDT lends experience as Openreach preps for all-IP surge
Openreach drawing on minority owner’s learnings as it corrals the UK’s CPs towards digital voice services. Migration closely linked to fibre rollout, but timing may be dependent on CP retail plans as market joins BT in favouring IP voice services.
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PremiumBT under fire in long-running NI public sector projects
Northern Ireland Assembly report slams contract extensions awarded to BT Group that cost taxpayers £120m. While civil servants displayed “indifference”, BT “ran rings” around them.
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PremiumOpenreach NI fibre plan stirs up Project Stratum
Openreach Northern Ireland on track to exceed FY20–21 full-fibre target. Overlap emerges with Openreach plan and publicly funded project. NI leads UK with highest full-fibre availability.
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Financial & PerformanceBudget 2021: BT benefits but won’t move investment dial
Chancellor Sunak eyes investment-backed build-back. Short term tax break to bolster BT infrastructure expansion. However, gains will be “offset in later years”, and no movement on BT’s number one priority — business rates relief.
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PeopleBT’s HR chief admits bumps in Better Workplace plan
Pandemic holds up plan to concertina down to 30 regional hubs, although some movement is expected in 2021. HR Director recognises the need to maintain hybrid working practices even after the pandemic has subsided.
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Network & InfrastructureHoward Watson eyes 2027 as open RAN opportunity
Huawei 5G kit replacement in line with 2027 deadline an opportunity for urban commercial open RAN deployment. BT expects to stick with dual key vendor policy, but hopes to see more choice. Huawei kit still being rolled out as BT juggles network plans with government demands.
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Suppliers & SCMBT 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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Partnerships & AlliancesBT taps OneWeb for rural coverage leg up
Talks confirmed, but nothing advanced. Back from brink, state-backed OneWeb offers BT space-based alternative to cable. 0.6% of UK households still without “decent” broadband connectivity, according to Ofcom.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT activates go-to-market accelerator
Scheme provides immediate growth opportunities to participating scale-ups. Operator supports UK-wide sustainability push via provision of smart energy services. Possible application of green-tech in healthcare sector being explored.
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Innovation (R&D)Testbeds and Trials: many roads to 5G for BT
Two private networks in the West Midlands to be switched on, powering manufacturing modernisation in the region, underpinned by BT infrastructure. BT/EE powers two projects in state-backed 5G Create funding call.
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PremiumCanonical hails BT progress on 5G core
Deployment of fully cloud native core appears to be in full swing with open source developer.
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Network & InfrastructureMBNL 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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PremiumBT people moves: Chairman du Plessis steps down from post
Jan du Plessis relinquishes chairmanship after four years, Ian Cheshire emerges as potential successor. Former Chairman Michael Rake also seeks a change after stepping down from his Huawei UK posting. Sherman understudy Johanna Lim leaves for Amazon.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced gets hiring
New procurement team hiring; revamp of Plymouth office by 2022; BT hoping to go greener through PPAs.