All TelcoTitans.com articles in BTwatch #334
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Digital ReportsBTwatch Report #334 – May 2022
Key stories include: Social Tariffs in Spotlight | EE named flagship brand | London quantum network launched | R100 delays confirmed | Altnets draw more funding
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Strategy & ChangeEE to swallow BT and move “beyond connectivity”
BT Consumer’s two brands set for change as EE takes centre stage. EE to become flagship for converged products and new, “future services”. BT moniker to remain for Enterprise and Global operations as BT Means Business platform kicks on. Simplification, for customers and teams, the name of the game. ...
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Network & InfrastructureBT welcomes “quantum revolution” with network launch
Quantum-secured metro network connects London offices, enabling quantum key distribution and management in partnership with Toshiba. EY named first commercial customer; revenue expected within 18 months. BT CTO Watson says quantum race is on, and UK is well placed. Believes quantum will become an “integral part” of country’s economic ...
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Network & InfrastructureSubsea rollout for 15 Scottish islands ramps up
BT partner Global Marine to start deployment of 16 subsea cables from May. Initial survey work completed last year by Fugro and OceanIQ.
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Network & InfrastructureFunding keeps flowing for UK full-fibre altnets
Investor appetite still strong for UK’s busy fibre build scene. Altnets swell ranks to 100 and counting, some start to snap up rivals. Old guard Openreach keeps ahead of the pack with seven million premises passed for full-fibre rollout.
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Strategy & Change‘A deliberate ploy’: UK operators face backlash as prices increase
Consumers facing broadband and mobile price hikes question operators’ justifications. Infrastructure investment and heightened demand among the buzzwords, but critics say margins the greater concern. MVNOs come out on top against ‘big four’ in a consumer survey.
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PremiumBT people moves: Gastey leads Global Manufacturing
José Gastey named MD for new Global Manufacturing function, combining several industry verticals. BT’s divisional General Counsels swapped as Canham exits, Beckenbridge pivots, and Langlands moves. Better Workplace management tweaked as fit-out contracts awarded.
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PeopleBT alumnus Shaw takes KCOM top-spot
Tim Shaw, former BT Enterprise CTIO, takes Hull operator’s top-spot. Set to drive “exciting transformation” under Macquarie owners.
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Network & InfrastructureScottish gov working with Openreach to accelerate R100
R100 project, backed by devolved Scottish government, connects only tiny fraction of targeted premises with superfast broadband. Subsea infrastructure on track to hit rollout deadline, but wider R100 programme facing delays. Scottish government “actively engaging” with Openreach to accelerate rollout; acknowledges (again) that R100 is “hugely challenging”.
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Products & ServicesBT digitises fan engagement with Interact launch
Digital audience interaction solution launched as supplement to existing Agilemedia services. BT Sport case study in action, with Interact positioned as part of BT’s “future of broadcast” solutions portfolio being developed at Adastral Park.
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PremiumElsewhere in Openreach: Arson takes out 7,400 connections
Arson attack in Kent knocks out 7,400 connections; Openreach set to launch Advanced Install pilot for complex jobs.
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PremiumJalil echoes Mehta mantra of moving fast, breaking things
Global CIO flags digital transformation for multinational customers as priority. BT moving from network-centric products and connectivity to cloud-based platform solutions. Working closely with Mehta to adapt BT culture and “attract a new generation of tech talent”.
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PremiumEU backlash over BT nod to manage TESTA
EU-headquartered telcos reportedly up in arms over Commission’s preference for BT to manage pan-European backbone network for exchange of sensitive data. EC suspends signature of £1bn TESTA framework contract pending review of concerns raised.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Enterprise: Toople highlights strong Q1
Channel partner Toople reports strong quarter following set up of BT-exclusive contact centre.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT pilots orchestrated cloud with M2A Media
Pair conduct trial to meet demand for cloud media services. Further collaboration anticipated following “successful” integration showcase.
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PremiumBT recruited to modernise Scottish flood warnings
Scottish Environment Protection Agency taps BT to upgrade its Floodline messaging system. New service aims to alert a wider audience via email, social media, and web notifications.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: BT Sport close to UFC renewal
BT close to winning fight for UFC broadcasting.
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Public Affairseir takes BT to court for NI public sector bid
Irish incumbent seeks compensation for long-running dispute regarding NI PSSN contract. Public sector IT services deal, won by BT in 2018, said to be worth up to £400m.
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PremiumBT transmits first live 8K sports broadcast into the home
BT Sport claims UK-first in UHD broadcasting. Consumer benefits still in doubt, but remote broadcasting prowess flaunted.
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PremiumEE to use spectrum aggregation for 5G network rollout
Operator taps Qualcomm for ‘Europe’s first’ aggregated spectrum 5G network. Set to roll out in major cities within a year, but take-up of compatible devices remains low.