All BT Group articles – Page 42
-
Public AffairsTelco inflation playbook: raise prices, cut costs, embrace digitalisation
Tough times ahead for telco customers, employees, and suppliers, as inflation drives price hikes, capex and opex control, and ongoing workforce reductions. Inflation-linked contracts to boost service revenue and outpace rising costs. Digital transformation efforts seen as key to cost savings.
-
MarketingBT recalibrates ad strategy with in-house reshuffle
Operator joining up ad capabilities across Consumer, Enterprise, and Global. Establishes new Media Centre of Excellence to share learnings.
-
M&ABT Italia offloads SAP services subsidiary
BT Global continues ‘global not national’ streamlining programme with the sale of Italian IT outsourcing outfit ERPTech. €4m+ deal leaves Italia lightweight but focused.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsBT opens venturing wallet for on-demand talent pool startup
Startup acceleration ambition kickstarted with minority stake in Distributed. New acquisition to provide BT access to on-demand software engineering teams to support development projects, with connected healthcare solutions first up. BT’s Harmeen Mehta hopes such partnerships will alleviate skills shortage pressures and drive her digitalisation agenda.
-
Network & InfrastructureTelcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
-
Suppliers & SCMBT hives off logistics to ‘simplify’ supply chain
Expanded partnership with GXO Logistics sees warehousing and transport requirements handed over, along with 300 BT employees. Procurement chief Cyril Pourrat deems it a milestone in Group simplification programme. Unions typically concerned.
-
PremiumBT people moves: BT Federal fills out
Mike Barthlow appointed CEO at BT’s US public sector division, with senior reports changed in parallel. BT’s healthcare focus tightened with a new HealthTech Incubator under Harmeen Mehta’s Digital domain and strategic health programme lead named at Enterprise. Openreach Service Delivery changes as Olly Kunc ships out.
-
OperationsNewgate St: BT has left the building
Facilities management partner completes “decommissioning” of the Group’s former HQ, ending long historical association with St. Pauls location.
-
Suppliers & SCMChipset shortages delay Openreach provisioning
Ongoing chipset shortages lead to Ethernet product delays at Openreach, adding to problems flagged last year. Semiconductor supply and demand imbalance set to last at least another twelve months. Supply chain problems a recurring theme at BT, too.
-
Network & InfrastructureMacquarie linked with £10bn UK infrastructure boost
Australian group points to planned investments in UK broadband. Macquarie has snapped up local providers including KCOM, Voneus, and Wavenet.
-
M&ADiscovery JV: BT Sport to be unbundled from BT
Another twist to the tale as BT and Discovery enter exclusive discussions. Jansen indicates agreement encompasses Eurosport UK and ‘Discovery app’, hinting at sports content tie-up; says deal has “no downsides”. The move could be a huge blow to DAZN, which appeared to have secured an $800m buyout.
-
PremiumBT takes open RAN for a spin with Nokia
Hull trial puts Nokia’s near-real-time RIC and xApps through their paces. Goal is to optimise EE’s network performance. Open RAN Innovation Centre at Adastral Park facility slated for launch “later” in 2022.
-
PremiumMehta brings new talent to BT Digital
Vodafone Smart Tech creator Tom Guy to head Incubation unit. New team aligns with Mehta’s desire for “crazy people” to create disruptive services.
-
Financial & PerformanceBT Q3: king of a still-wobbly hill
Corporate weakness postpones recovery, with BT Global recuperating and BT Enterprise still in surgery. Rational rivals embraced, but warned of “Armageddon scenario”, with Sky current BFF. Discovery tie-up a win-win for BT Sport (but what about for BT itself?). Openreach charges on, hitting new records for FTTP connections and ...
-
PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: recruitment drive for apprentices and graduates
Recruitment campaign to fill Better Workplace offices; shareholder Altice drops Portuguese sale plans.
-
PremiumFormer BT Fleet folded into rebranded Rivus
Rivus Fleet Solutions and Pullman Fleet Solutions to be combined. Graeme Lumley is new BT account director.
-
PremiumBT wary of Cellnex compromise on CKH tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from existing estate to enable new UK tower player to emerge, overcoming CMA concerns on competition linked to planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies already stepped forward as potential buyers. BT remains concerned about impact on MBNL and 5G investment plans.
-
PremiumBT Q3 FY21–22 Guidance: positives to come, but later than promised
Revenue down 2% for the year, but growth anticipated from Q1 FY22–23. All things point up, but large corporates at Enterprise and Global need turnaround to avoid continued struggles. Discovery tie-up a win–win for BT Sport (and maybe for Sky, but what about for BT itself?).
-
PeopleOpenreach’s McTighe ‘steps away’ from Ofcom chair search
Mike McTighe, Openreach Chairman, reportedly withdraws from the search for an Ofcom chair. Now nearly two years in the making, the process is yet to find a clear frontrunner despite a number of names floated. Ex-BBC supremo Michael Grade is the latest hat in the ring.
-
PremiumBT Q3 FY21–22 Headlines: Openreach surging; CFUs in surgery
Corporate weakness postpones recovery, with BT Global recuperating and BT Enterprise still hurting. Openreach charges on, hitting new records for FTTP connections and (low) costs. City analysts focus on ‘mathematical’ minutiae of inflation response and impact on customers, costs, and payroll. Drahi and other predators ignored.