All TelcoTitans.com articles in BTwatch #314
View all content from this Issue.
-
Financial & PerformanceSAP called in as BT addresses “material weakness” in reporting
Ongoing inadequacies in financial controls have resulted in BT submitting its consolidated accounts with caveats. IT system weaknesses, and insufficiently robust review of elements of financial information are the source of concerns. Governance and compliance solutions from SAP have been flagged as supporting greater resilience for the Group’s future ...
-
Network & InfraBT’s McRae on edge: “we want to do a lot more”
Chief Architect Neil McRae outlined key drivers for edge compute, and role of network operators in adoption. Edge forecast to be “everywhere”, with telco operators needing to reposition and collaborate in order to keep hyperscalers at bay. Private networks, eHealth, and remote monitoring flagged as key early use-cases.
-
Network & InfraScottish rural 4G scheme on pause
Government says limited work will resume, post shutdown, “in the coming weeks”.
-
InnovationBT opens DigiTech doors
BT and longstanding partner the University of Suffolk launched the DigiTech Centre, to train 145 apprentices and 500 students.
-
Products & ServicesBT wants to be the Deliveroo of broadband
Group gets “re-imaginative” and fancies that AI can help it drastically reduce the wait customers face for broadband services. Exec admits current lag for broadband set up is “unacceptable”.
-
Suppliers & SCMDigital Procurement Garage: BT gets new canary for supply chain risks
Macro risk consultancy PRISM joins BT’s fledgling Digital Procurement Garage. Another symbol of how global trade tensions and COVID-19 have given telcos major supply chain resilience jitters. First non-UK member.
-
PremiumOfcom go ahead for Openreach race to switch off copper
Ofcom provides a degree of clarity on Openreach’s obligations ahead of relaxation of regulation, once fibre covers an exchange. However, a wait-and-see approach on determining what will constitute a fully fibre-enabled exchange means Openreach is stepping on the accelerator at its own risk.
-
Suppliers & SCMBT eagerly anticipates Nokia cloud revamp
Nokia is targeting cloud service providers with new kit promising automated, scalable cloud service development via a new NetOps toolbox.
-
Financial & PerformanceONS data errors reshape UK telecoms landscape
The Office for National Statistics new methods marks change for the past 20 years’ price decline, but promise more accurate inflation and GDP readings. Change backs telcos’ claims that they are meeting demands of ‘more for less’ in tougher circumstances than assumed.
-
PremiumElsewhere in Openreach: Competitive action seen at both superfast and ultrafast levels
Sky makes progress on its FTTP launch; Altnet blames Openreach for failings; and Yorkshire superfast procurement process opens.
-
OperationsGlasgow and Dundee protected from office closures: BT
Ten cities now confirmed as locations BT plans to retain — although EE’s Hatfield base not yet on list.
-
PremiumNokia brought in for ESN air cover
Home Office clears way for trial of network add-on for airborne emergency workers, although evidently wary of technical issues that have soured broader programme.
-
PremiumElsewhere in BT Enterprise: ContactEngine partnership gets praise
Innovation leader Millard stresses enthusiasm for automation and digitisation in customer support.
-
PremiumBT Group, Consumer & Enterprise moves: Ellerton steps away; Murphy named General Counsel
Consumer gets new Marketing Director from Telenor Sweden.
-
PremiumBT Global people moves: Ex-BT Italia CFO heads Stateside
Former BT Italia CFO Garry Wardle heads Stateside with Americas promotion and new key vertical remit. Rosanne Moreland to lead Openreach’s Scottish full-fibre rollout.
-
PremiumOpenreach people moves: Lisa Neal takes fibre eastward, Moreland takes it to Scotland
Rosanne Moreland to lead Openreach’s Scottish full-fibre rollout.
-
PremiumElsewhere in BT Tech: BT puts willingness to tackle legacy in writing
BT signs TM Forum’s Open API and Open Digital Architecture Manifesto.
-
PremiumBT Sport turns to arch-rival Sky for media sales
Launch partner Channel 4 displaced after seven years.
-
PremiumGovernment eyes open infrastructure as 2025 plan stalls
DCMS looking at encouraging greater sharing across utilities and telecoms infrastructure, and encouraging Openreach to make use of rivals’ assets. UK government beating drum of infrastructure investment as part of the pandemic response, but references to 2025 Gigabit network deadlines fading into background.
-
Network & InfraIoT key to BT’s DyNS drive
Vendor licensing costs and proprietary hardware acting as a brake on widespread SD-WAN uptake, but more compelling IoT economics bringing DyNS to factory floors. BT partnership with Dell spotlighted as an enabler of BT progress in expanding its portfolio. IoT expected to help drive 5G investment through reliable, low-latency ...