All TelcoTitans.com articles in BTwatch #333
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Digital ReportsBTwatch Report #333 – April 2022
Key stories include: Grade named Ofcom chair | Mehta puts Digital “on steroids” | BT to tap patent pool to grow R&D | Welsh 5G in the spotlight | Selley in the dark on Drahi plans
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PeopleOfcom chair-elect “lacks knowledge” on digital issues
Lord Grade, set to take the chair at the UK’s media and telecoms regulator, lacks fundamental experience on key issues of social media and online platforms despite strength in broadcasting. Competitive and transparent telecoms industry among Grade’s priorities. Cronyism concerns after Grade’s appointment followed by Ian Cheshire’s move to ...
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Products & ServicesBT Final Mile locker network expands
Calor and EDF Energy named as third-party customers for Final Mile service. Pelipod revenue has been rising, but so have losses. CJ Retail Solutions was awarded the locker installation contract.
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PeopleBT Sport boss exits ahead of Discovery merger
Simon Green, Head of BT Sport since its inception, set to leave this week. BT Sport evolving as it prepares for Discovery tie-up.
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Network & InfrastructureFrom castles to classrooms: Wales tests rural 5G case
Project explores 5G value for rural communities with focus on agriculture, education, tourism, and transportation. EE 5G network connects sites in Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire. 4G and 5G are considered key to closing rural broadband gaps in Wales, but policymakers can do more to encourage investment.
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Allera: “we got it wrong” on digital switch-over
BT Consumer CEO Marc Allera hits pause on Digital Voice rollout amid public backlash about impact on elderly and vulnerable customers. Analogue-to-digital migration set to continue for those that want it, while BT deploys safeguards to assure concerned customers.
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PeopleISS UK&I CEO to drop Openreach Non-Exec role
Liz Benison departs to focus on regional CEO role at Openreach partner ISS. Ceeney named as her replacement and will take the role in May.
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PremiumBT people moves: Enterprise names new central government lead
Changes at Group aim to drive talent and leadership transformation. Digital grows with new Corporate Affairs Director and technical appointments in the UK and India. Enterprise accounts leadership swaps include changes at retail and logistics and central government verticals. Building Digital UK looks to populate new Board of Directors; ...
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PremiumElsewhere in Openreach: Viavi signed up to test fibre network
Openreach partners Viavi to provide end users with “speedometer” for full-fibre speeds; joins Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
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PremiumOpenreach to create 4,000 jobs, aims for more diversity
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates upper hand. BT and Openreach, as well as Virgin Media O2, tout apprenticeship plans. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Global: BT still in with Russia’s Rostelecom
Industry’s Russian withdrawal not so easy for Global as Rostelecom relationship remains; Diamond IP offloaded.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Enterprise: £1.5 in NHS contracts
BT-backed lottery bid loses out to Vodafone rival; NHS contracts earn BT £1.5m.
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PremiumOfcom urges service providers to promote social tariffs
Regulator says 1.1 million households struggling to pay for broadband. Social tariffs can help, but only six service providers offer the discounts. Millions of eligible households don’t know about the cheaper plans. Ofcom expects industry to “step up”.
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PremiumEnterprise, Microsoft put health in the spotlight
BT’s Healthcare Director Sultan Mahmud promotes future innovation with Microsoft, as Enterprise seeks to bolster healthcare proposition. NHS insight added in latest Clinical Advisory Board appointment.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: BT still committed to YouView
YouView’s future secured until at least 2024; e-sports event promotes EE full fibre.
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CorporateOpenreach’s Selley in the dark about Drahi’s aims
Openreach CEO has met the Altice UK owner several times over the years. Selley sees BT as a “very good owner” that has the UK government’s ear.
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Innovation (R&D)UAE lab provides blueprint for BT’s university partnerships
BT using success of EBTIC collaboration to inform university partnerships in Ireland and India, building ties with local academics to support Adastral Park R&D. BT- and Khalifa University-backed EBTIC showcases collaborative innovation projects as partnership enters “Phase 3”.
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PremiumEE claims positives in ESN progress report
EE has upgraded 19,500 masts for the ESN. Extended Area Service sites and PTT system remain ongoing hurdles.
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PeopleBT pilots cyber-training to bridge skills gap
CAPSLOCK partnership aims to address cybersecurity skills shortage to fill “more technical roles” within BT. One part of the Group’s broader up-skilling endeavours.
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PremiumEE leans on Nokia for outdoor small cells
200 street-level 4G small cells rolled out in UK. 5G small-cell trials to start “soon”. Outdoor minicell trials with other suppliers in pipeline.