All BT Group articles – Page 56
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Suppliers & SCMBT Sourced embarks on buyside disruption
Low-key launch for BT’s “standalone” procurement company. Time will tell if greater reliance on digital tools will turn BT Sourced into “procurement disruptors and trailblazers”.
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OperationsBT’s revamped Newcastle office set for re-opening
Operator to inaugurate opening of “one of first” upgraded offices under Better Workplace scheme. “First phase” of site redevelopment completed, with hybrid working practices helping maintain operations in meantime. Gosforth to prioritise employee welfare as a means to boost customer service.
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Enterprise (B2B)BT Enterprise eyes 2023 for 5G lift-off
Spencer says better performing 5G standalone networks needed to kick-start market. Operator inexperience in provisioning spectrum for private networks another brake on enterprise adoption. University Hospitals Birmingham and Belfast Harbour again hailed as BT’s main B2B 5G success stories.
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Strategy & ChangeNetworks 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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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Group: BT holding devalued
Deutsche Telekom adds name to open source Magma initiative; Orange and TIM add theirs to DT-backed programmes.
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Enterprise (B2B)BT positions for post-‘cloud-first’ enterprise era
In collaboration with Dell/VMware, BT flags ability to securely “repatriate” apps back into private servers as enterprises retreat from ‘cloud-first’ strategies.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT signs renewables pact with Total
Electricity supplier to power portion of operator’s UK real estate from mid-2022. ‘Going green’ of particular importance to both parties.
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Consumer (B2C)BT reshuffles customer comms partner pack
Strategic marketing consultancy Go Inspire displaces Williams Lea for below-the-line marketing contract. CCgroup and The Academy added to BT Consumer agency portfolio in brand awareness push.
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PremiumEE gets a bargain as operators low-ball 5G auction
Ofcom raises a total of £1.4bn in principal auction stage — several hundred million pounds less than expectations. Regulator has now opened the first phase of the negotiation period that should enable operators to build a contiguous block in the 3.4GHz–3.8GHz band. Lower spend on licences (so far) should ...
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PeopleCheshire puts hat in the ring for BT chair job
Current BT non-exec seeking to buck the trend and encourage Group to look internally for du Plessis replacement. Cheshire brings considerable experience and strong political links, but may lack the skills needed for future battles.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: rural rent causing problems
DT feels BT’s pain; EE among the MNOs to take flak for making the most of rural rent reductions.
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OperationsNew East London BT HQ preps for sale
One Braham, soon to be BT’s main office, is reportedly being readied for a £500m sale. BT due to move at the end of the year after leaving 81 Newgate Street.
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PeopleBT Regulatory Affairs lead Cathryn Ross sets sail
Regulatory Affairs Director and Executive Committee member Ross’s departure announced a week after Ofcom market review job-done. Set to take newly-created Strategy & Regulatory Affairs role at Thames Water.
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Suppliers & SCMBT Sourced to target supply chain sustainability
Chief Procurement Officer Cyril Pourrat flagged the importance of ESG compliance throughout the supply chain. New procurement company BT Sourced set to enable transparency via digital tools: AI, big data, and machine learning on the cards.
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Strategy & Change
Openreach cites No 10 lack of clarity as key early COVID test
Initial uncertain status of Openreach workforce deemed biggest challenge when ensuring UK connectivity and worker safety through lockdown. Strong chains of command, coupled with responsiveness to staff concerns, said to frame management response. Fears on return to offices and on-premises work may prove the biggest challenge.
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Public AffairsOfcom gives BT fibre pricing freedom, but adds burdens
Openreach not to face caps or controls on national ultrafast pricing until 2031, as long as it is “fair and reasonable”. Locally-targeted pricing from Openreach prohibited as Ofcom seeks to protect emerging altnets. BT Consumer may lose some edge from 90 day notice period for new propositions from Openreach. ...
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Digital ReportsBTwatch Report #321 – February-March 2021
Key stories include: Digital makeover for BT board | Canonical lauds BT innovation | Enterprise eyes NHS opportunity | 5G FWA launch at Global | Lees takes lead on transformation.
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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.