BTwatch News – Page 39
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Suppliers & SCM
Chipset 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.
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Elsewhere in BT Consumer: Smart Hub 3 router to launch
BT, EE to launch new router; BT Sport hits target for darts coverage.
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UK operators action inflation-linked pricing
BT, EE join fellow operators in price hike announcements as UK inflation pushes broadband and mobile prices up nearly 10%. Consumer challenges affecting MNOs too, say MNOs. Brexit impact also felt for roamers.
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Elsewhere in BT Technology: FWA trial underway at Adastral Park
BT joins partner list for entertainment R&D hub; FWA trial launched by Adastral Park.
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Elsewhere in Openreach: £20,000 reward for cable theft information
What next for Openreach under Drahi?; apprentice hiring spree targets diversity; Plusnet readies for FTTP entrance.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Global: Dubber partnership finalised
Voice intelligence vendor Dubber finalises Global partnership.
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M&A
Discovery 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.
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BT gives Rackspace thumbs-up for hybrid cloud
US firm scores breakthrough win with BT Global. Collaboration will see Rackspace tech integrated into BT data centres. Aim to bolster hybrid-cloud proposition to multinational customers.
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BT 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.
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Mehta 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.
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Financial & Performance
BT 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 ...
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Elsewhere in BT Group: recruitment drive for apprentices and graduates
Recruitment campaign to fill Better Workplace offices; shareholder Altice drops Portuguese sale plans.
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Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: LandWeb days limited
End is nigh for contentious LandWeb engagement in Northern Ireland; Toople builds up its Enterprise relationship.
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Digital Space joins the Elite
IT provider appointed BT Wholesale Elite Partner. Three-tier Partner Plus programme launched last spring now boasts more than 100 collaborators.
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Former BT Fleet folded into rebranded Rivus
Rivus Fleet Solutions and Pullman Fleet Solutions to be combined. Graeme Lumley is new BT account director.
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BT 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.
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BT 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?).
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People
Openreach’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.
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BT Wholesale takes Truphone from rival
EE network quality draws the MVNO to BT Wholesale from VM O2, as Virgin Media continues migration from EE to Vodafone.
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BT follows EE with BAI deal
Wholesale division to provide colocation space for neutral host network. BT flags wider focus on edge computing.