BTwatch News – Page 52
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Enterprise: ESN-ready device pilots
East Anglian emergency service adopts EE-supported ESN tech; operator lends helping hand to property developer’s digital transformation.
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Products & ServicesBT Security locks onto Fortinet for SD-WAN
Security division launches new managed SD-WAN with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN built-in. New service pitched as being able to “de-risk digital transformation investments” made by BT Global customers.
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PeopleEx-BT CTIO Karonis takes Capgemini, DTCP roles
Telco veteran Fotis Karonis joins Capgemini as 5G & Edge EVP, making the most of past operator ties. Deutsche Telekom venturing vehicle DTCP also adds his name to Senior Advisory Council.
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Enterprise (B2B)BT supports Orica’s cloud-native push
Latest “cloud-optimised” tech to be adopted across explosives specialist’s global footprint. BT works longstanding Cisco ties for SD-WAN contract win. Deal also involves deployment of network monitoring and cybersecurity services.
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Strategy & ChangeBT in talks to sell BT Sport stake
Early discussions with potential investors underway, as BT seeks strategic partners to “strengthen our sports business”. Volatile sports rights costs, and minimal benefits to ownership within emerging Consumer business model likely prompting talks. BT Sport rumours reignite Openreach sale speculation, underlining the Group’s need to find financial headroom for ...
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Network & InfrastructureEE spins up spectrum to further 5G ambitions
New licences put to use minutes after being issued, in partnership with Nokia. BT pays an additional £23m after initial low-ball auction, but Group still bagged “an excellent price”, says Consumer CEO Marc Allera. EE open to future spectrum trades as O2 and Vodafone sign their own deal.
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Innovation (R&D)UK access to Horizon Europe unclear
Government offers to pay some of the costs, but not all, to access EU’s Horizon Europe scientific funding initiative. The successor to Horizon 2020, which BT has tapped into, Horizon Europe has an R&D budget of €95.5bn.
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PremiumBT people moves: strategic appointments in health and banking
BT continues its effort to grow into the healthcare industry with accounts leaders named at Enterprise. Unilever CISO joins Group as cybersecurity VP. BT Global’s Rycx targets Simplify programme expansion for MNCs. Board changes at soon-to-be subsumed OnePhone.
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Content & TVEx-BT chief Patterson tipped for Super League top-spot
Former BT CEO Patterson said to be among those considered for controversial European Super League stewardship. Former employer BT stands against the breakaway league proposals.
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PeopleOpenreach’s Milligan on importance of rural fibre
Openreach executive sees fibre deployment as key to reversing rural to urban migration. Building broadband is not enough: more education is required to ensure higher take-up. Need to ‘join the dots’ to ensure infrastructure and economic programmes are properly implemented.
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Innovation (R&D)BT wants SIM-fitted drones as standard
Head of BT’s Drone Solutions keen on developing out-of-the-box SIM card solution. Telco wants Project Xcelerate to showcase EE network’s suitability for BVLOS flights. Scaling drone-flight volumes in BVLOS environment a pressing challenge. Collaboration with US-based TEOCO in the pipeline to optimise flightpaths.
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Suppliers & SCMRest of BT contact centres to adopt NICE tech
BT deploys solutions from longstanding partner across “additional lines of business” to optimise processes and boost customer retention.
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Network & InfrastructureBT completes EE Digital Platform Services migration
Multiple EE services now based in Kubernetes-powered environment. New system “more flexible and ultimately cheaper”.
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Suppliers & SCMBT taps Blackbird for in-cloud video editing
Content operations team to adopt new editing software, with Group seemingly keen to retain some form of remote working model post-COVID-19. Blackbird CEO says BT’s green credentials chime with its own. Eleven Sports and Liverpool Football Club join BT in vendor’s expanding client ecosystem.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT buys in to Enjoy personal service
“Commerce-at-home” service provider earns four-year contract renewal. BT now an investor in the company as it weighs up a SPAC-delivered listing.
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PremiumSTL picked as Openreach fibre cable partner
STL cables expected to help simplify fibre deployment, while making the most of existing infrastructure. Environmental benefits of vendor solution referenced as focus on green network maintained.
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PremiumBT Cloud Work seeks to allay Zoom security concerns
BT Enterprise cloud communications offering from RingCentral uses Zoom technology for video conferencing. Zoom’s widely publicised security incidents might put off business customers, but BT assures that its platform is designed to avoid such risks.
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PremiumBT “disappointed” as government tweaks voucher scheme
Government kicks off first phase of £1.2bn Project Gigabit. £210m for rural voucher scheme, but fewer communities are eligible; £110m for connecting rural doctors’ surgeries, libraries, and schools. DCMS Delivery Plan suggests considerable uncertainty on most effective way to target government spending.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: O2-VM gets provisional nod
BT remains neutral as CMA clears Virgin Media–O2 deal.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: Extreme E rights nabbed
BT Sport takes racing rights and targets Ashes renewal.