BTwatch News – Page 57
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS taking an ‘outside-in’ approach, but vouchers there for quick wins
Small targeted interventions and mid-size fill-ins expected to feature in first swathe of public–private contracts. Mega-deals not ruled out. Pragmatic use of Public Sector Hubs another option.
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS helping England play catch up, or possibly leapfrog
Devolved nations at the back of the queue for new money. Fibre emphasised over cable.
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS defends its record as PAC report sees trouble ahead
PAC scathing in review of previous funding plans. Watchdog critical of a lack of planning and joined-up thinking now. Rural sites seen as at risk of being overlooked in trimmed-down Gigabit programme.
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Network & InfrastructureA lack of joined up governing
Red tape roadblocks remain in place. Business rates continue to stick in craw of infra players. Double-edged sword on state aid changes.
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Network & InfrastructureBT and Openreach voices being heard
BT execs appear to be getting message across on need for support. Rivals remain keen to extract more concessions from Openreach on infra access.
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Network & InfrastructureJansen just wants to get on with it
Jansen’s BT more focused on regulatory leeway on build than government handouts. CEO wants closer scrutiny of data and digital-based services.
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PremiumBT Sport converts rights deal with Premiership Rugby
Group eventually signs £110m three-year extension after reported disagreements over valuation. BT continues to invest in regional Welsh club rugby with three-year sponsorship extension.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: EE waives roaming
EE waives EU roaming charges, broadband guarantees personalised, lockdown learning backed.
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PremiumBT plays down risk of FireEye security breach
Group assesses threat to CTI customers as “low to moderate”. No indication, assures BT, that any customer data was compromised.
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Suppliers & SCMOpenreach deploys EXFO technology for fibre rollout
Rollout speed gains stressed as key motivator for purchase.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: 2x usage for 2020
Openreach flexes on network strength after UK broadband usage hits new highs.
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PremiumBT disputes ‘loyalty penalty’ class action
BT hit with US-style ‘opt-out’ class action, led by a former Ofcom consumer protection executive, and financially backed by pioneering UK litigation investment fund Harbour. Previously-settled Ofcom review forms the basis of near-£600m claim that BT was acting in breach of competition law. Little precedent on likelihood of success, ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesOpenreach hits FTTP milestone in Cumbria
Connecting Cumbria programme completes Phase Two, nearing regional ‘superfast’ targets. Phase Three on the table to finish the job. Gigabit-capable coverage lags behind for rural premises.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Enterprise: churn risk targeted
Division continues effort to nudge businesses and CPs away from legacy voice, and towards its own next-gen offerings.
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Network & InfrastructureBT clocks onto quantum timing tech
EU-funded consortium hoping to accelerate commercialisation of quantum-enabled clocks. Further expansion to the Group’s ecosystem of quantum partners.
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Strategy & ChangeBT turns to disruptive AI veteran in pursuit of Ambition 2030
Airtel CIO Harmeen Mehta bringing even greater AI advocacy and a ‘big tech’ frame of mind to BT’s new Digital division. Philip Jansen looking at bigger picture beyond fibre rollout as he sees Group’s future in delivering a UK platform for software-defined services.
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Innovation (R&D)BT explores edge to “level up” latency for UK gamers
As BT’s edge strategy evolves, gaming emerges as potential use-case. BT’s Neil McRae shares latest thinking about edge business cases. Consumer edge applications more advanced than enterprise services.
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M&ABT Cornwall quietly put into liquidation
Business blighted by falling-out between BT and its local public sector partners to be wound up. Another marker of troubled public-private partnership approach to council contracts confined to past.