BTwatch News – Page 65
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Premium
BT sanguine on DT investment in London fibre rival
Minority BT stakeholder Deutsche Telekom adding to its UK interests through an investment in social housing-focused fibre altnet Community Fibre. Former EE Chief Olaf Swantee to make a UK return as venture’s Chairman. Community Fibre building a business case on sharing Openreach ducts and poles with aim to reach ...
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: offline training and Newgate revamp
BT gets permission for Newgate Street revamp; restructuring plans hit resistance; Firebrand flagged as training partner for online and offline.
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Network & Infrastructure
Symantec absent as BT picks key security partners
Slimmed-down list of partners expected to simplify the BT Security sales pitch while ensuring an effective and synchronised managed services wrap. Tenacious smaller vendors maintain a role in the ecosystem, but sector giant Check Point’s role modest, and well-established ally Symantec off the radar.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach NI pushes to keep pace in dynamic Gigabit contest
Openreach Northern Ireland accelerating full-fibre rollout as challengers expand their ambitions. Market has highest full-fibre coverage in UK, but urban–rural divide persists. Startup Fibrus takes on Openreach and Virgin Media. Long-awaited, £165m Project Stratum to be awarded soon.
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Strategy & Change
BT to shut blighted Lancashire ICT business
Scandal-hit venture that became the embodiment of BT’s troubled partnership approach to council contracts to finally fade away. Council insourcing set to leave a significant dent in BT’s public sector revenue stream.
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M&A
BT readies itself to ward off unwanted advances
With its share price deflated, dividend suspended, and a series of financial challenges on the horizon, BT Group is consulting on the best way to shore its defences against unsolicited bids. Boutique banker and trusted Vodafone advisor Robey Warshaw may be added to BT defence team. KKR emerges as ...
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People
BT job was “brutal” says ex-CEO Patterson
Former CEO claims he did not feel criticism towards end of BT tenure. Prefers ‘can-do’ mindset of Silicon Valley. BT decision making presented as paper-based and sluggish by comparison.
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People
Key movers at BT: former BT Enterprise CFO Adam Baird takes AR job; McGroarty leaves BT Americas
Katherine Allen named Head for BT’s Halo. BT Americas’ McGroarty leaves for LexisNexis. Adam Baird of BT Business Solutions, Enterprise, and Ireland joins AR developer Blippar. Ian Ashby gets GM role for Global SOCs.
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Network & Infrastructure
UK security industry braces for IP voice surge
Openreach looks set to take the plunge on all-IP exchange migration in the coming months and BT’s retail divisions are making a push for IP-based voice services. Industry body BSIA urging members to ensure electronic security estates are prepared for the impending analogue switch-off.
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Public Affairs
Ofcom wholesale voice review rings in changes for BT
The call services market is changing and Ofcom proposals aim to keep up with the times.
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Marketing
EE influence sees BT switch multi-million ad account
AMV BBDO bows out from BT’s advertising after more than 20 years. EE’s main creative partner builds on its success in delivering Beyond Limits. Mobile marketers charged with supporting internal transformation as well as external image.
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Premium
BT people moves: leadership switch and a new lead for Scotland at Enterprise
Shuter gets lined up for a BT Enterprise takeover after outgoing McQuade takes his leave.
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Strategy & Change
BT steps up SME defence as it awaits insolvency tsunami
BT Enterprise’s Q1 FY20–21 performance shows a business briefly hollowed out, and anticipating further blows as it begins its recovery. Small Business Support Scheme is promoting ultrafast vouchers, bursaries and training in the hope of softening the impact of the pandemic recession. DCMS-backed scheme once again shows BT ready ...
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People
Veteran Vodafone fixer to take over at BT Enterprise
Gerry McQuade to retire from BT as Enterprise moves beyond integrating its diverse operations and looks to accelerate the shift from legacy services to new digital offerings. MTN’s Shuter to join in 2021, bringing a reputation for delivering growth and stability from a time of crisis.
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Network & Infrastructure
Scotland back in the game on rural 4G
Installation of rural sites re-starts and initially reticent MNOs now offering warmer support.
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Interview
Interview: Julie Snell of the Scotland 5G Centre
Former BT executive is relishing new challenge of bringing together a distinct and inclusive 5G strategy for Scotland. 5G continues to be a disruptive and highly politicised step-change in the telecoms industry’s development, with devolved government seeking policy differentiation from Westminster.
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People
BT movers: Warren Chambers says goodbye; new BTC Strategy MD
Moves across BT include veteran leavers at Group and fresh faces at Consumer. Global gets an account leader refresh; Openreach swaps legal counsel.
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Suppliers & SCM
Amdocs snaps up emerging rival Openet
Amdocs acquisition follows on the heels of a significant Openet coup at EE, highlighting the threat carried by the Irish competitor.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT guards Microsoft Azure Sentinel
Cloud security partnership presages Microsoft’s anointing as one of three strategic security partners for BT. Group unveils tailored managed security services to support software giant’s SIEM product. More new offerings on way to support Microsoft cloud applications.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT Group leads charge for UK EVs
BT and big fleet operators call for all new car and van sales to be electric by 2030. New coalition urges government action to kickstart EV market.