BTwatch News – Page 41
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PremiumFormer 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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PremiumBT 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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PremiumBT 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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PeopleOpenreach’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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PremiumBT 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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PremiumBT follows EE with BAI deal
Wholesale division to provide colocation space for neutral host network. BT flags wider focus on edge computing.
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PremiumBT Q3 FY21–22 Headlines: Openreach surging; CFUs in surgery
Corporate weakness postpones recovery, with BT Global recuperating and BT Enterprise still hurting. Openreach charges on, hitting new records for FTTP connections and (low) costs. City analysts focus on ‘mathematical’ minutiae of inflation response and impact on customers, costs, and payroll. Drahi and other predators ignored.
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PremiumBT Q3 FY21–22: king of a still-wobbly castle
Rational rivals embraced, but warned of “Armageddon scenario”, with Sky current BFF. Mixed results force management to cling to customer satisfaction and market share security blankets. Inflation a bonus for Consumer’s linked pricing. ‘Jam tomorrow’ outlook reiterated.
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PremiumBT Q3 FY21–22 Spend: costs under control
Cost-savings transformation programme continues to earn accolades among management, despite necessary investment in infrastructure. Broader market factors felt.
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Suppliers & SCMBT partner Versed AI on swerving supply chain strife
With volatility biting businesses, University of Cambridge spinout attracts investment from range of backers with interests in sourcing sustainability and transparency, including fund linked to eBay creator Pierre Omidyar.
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Public AffairsCellnex offers CMA deal to secure Hutchison UK tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from its existing estate to enable a new UK tower player to emerge, and overcome CMA concerns on competition linked to its planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies have already stepped forward as potential buyers. CTIL objects to being positioned as a ...
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OperationsBT considers use of AI to expose vendor malpractice
Operator considering application of video analytics software from partner Vyntelligence to identify “incorrect behaviours” in supplier plants. Idea reflective of operators’ concerns over hidden ESG and security nasties in their vast international supply chains.
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Products & ServicesBT, VMware target modern network and security challenges
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), delivered as a BT-managed service, supports the adoption of “the latest technologies and workstyles” Latest in a string of collaborations between BT and VMware following long-term SD-WAN partnership.
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Public AffairsDCMS told to get a grip on Project Gigabit
“Disappointed” accounts committee frustrated by lack of measurable progress and clear plans for reaching 2025 target of 85% ultrafast coverage. Department blasted for lack of meaningful legislation on removal of barriers to deployment. DCMS still seeking clarity from operators on national rollout plans.
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PeopleOpenreach’s Service Delivery chief Olly Kunc exits
Quietly leaves the Group, leaving management a shared, interim responsibility of Khatter and Stewart.
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OperationsBT and TalkTalk footing the YouView bill as losses mount, Arqiva exits
Latest accounts show the TV platform’s shareholders now down to six, with the two operators keeping the venture afloat. R&D budget remains high at £16m, compared to revenue of just £9m. Telcos remain coy on paying subscribers for their TV services.
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OperationsAI not ready for bot-to-bot negotiation — BT’s Brown
Director of Procurement Strategy & Transformation says AI needs more training, but bot-to-bot purchasing “will come”. BT already implements AI tech to help select prospective vendors and optimise supply chain monitoring.
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PremiumBT people moves: ESG key in New Year changes
Digital impact and sustainability manifesto brings a number of new roles to further ESG agenda. Fibre build challengers Borderlink and Hyperoptic poach ex-BT and Openreach staffers to drive regional FTTP rollout plans. Healthcare remains a key focus for Digital and Enterprise developments.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT ties with SES on ‘multi-orbit’ data and IoT
Global division looking to satcomms to expand mining sector presence and boost search for growth. Tie-up bridges various in-vogue areas of enterprise IoT, satellite, not-spot coverage, and cloud productised services. Deal appears precursor to broader revamp of BT’s ecosystem at intersection of wireless and satcomms.
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PeopleOpenreach’s McTighe emerges as frontrunner for Ofcom chair
Mike McTighe, Chairman at Openreach, reportedly on the shortlist to oversee regulator. Drawn-out search for Lord Burns’ successor sees another BT-affiliated name on the cards.