All Howard Watson articles
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Network & InfrastructureBT seeks smooth B2B transition with 2G switch-off
Group seeks to ensure business customers’ transition from 2G to modern networks is as seamless as possible, as networks chief Howard Watson announces prep to support them in the process.
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: AI leadership overhaul; Openreach turns to intent-based networking
Latest from BT as New Year people changes make for evolution at BT Digital; Openreach taps government grant funding for more rural fibre contracts; India promoted as more than just an engineering outpost; and Nokia takes a central spot in Openreach SDN…
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PeopleBT Peoplewatch: Group brings in more consultancy high-flyers
30+ senior and strategic moves across BT and its ecosystem, including another handful of joiners from EY and McKinsey to lead the transformation agenda; another significant Data & AI switch; security swaps in Europe; and a pair of BT Defence changes…
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Network & InfrastructureAging PSTN blots UK network resilience
As UK policymakers scrutinise infrastructure resilience, equipment failures in the old public switched telephone network (PSTN) have led a recent rise in outages.
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PeopleBT Peoplewatch: B2B shake-up continues
25+ senior and strategic movers across BT, including another set of newcomers to the Business leadership team; GenAI lead heads off; and EE’s chief marketer leaves for Nuuday…
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Strategy & ChangeGenAI is ‘last chance’ for telcos, says DigitalBridge CEO Ganzi
Telecoms operators’ central office and fibre assets give them a chip in the generative AI game, but they need to play their cards right, says boss of digital infra giant.
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: Strategy & Change shakeup as Kirkby sets agenda
Latest from BT: a major shakeup from CEO Allison Kirkby as she brings in McKinsey expertise to lead Strategy & Change, with Digital chief Harmeen Mehta on the way out; networks future in focus with NaaS Global Fabric nearing launch and efficiencies sought through tie-up with Orange, others; and AI beds in for in-house legal teams…
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PeopleKirkby changes BT Digital guard: Mehta exits; Meakin earns cap badge
Latest Kirkby BT-Redefined trilogy: Departure of the Mehta, Rise of the Meakin, and Zen of the Watson. Read our analysis…
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: 5G SA heralds AI age, Openreach sets wish list for fibre future
Latest from BT and ecosystem, including: standalone 5G launches at last, coupled with new in-home Wi-Fi 7 offerings and AI services, bringing anticipation of convergence change and ARPU growth; Mexico’s Slim adds more BT shares to holding; Openreach lays out TAR desires (much to rivals’ chagrin)…
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Network & InfrastructureEE preps for AI future with 5G SA and Wi-Fi 7 upgrades
EE says launch of 5G SA in 15 UK cities, coupled with new Wi-Fi 7 routers, show how operator is preparing for a surge in AI usage and bringing its fixed and mobile networks closer together.
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Products & ServicesBT gets MAUD on air via Edgio CDN deal
BT’s efficient, ‘sustainable’ multicast-assisted transmission tech readies for live trials on EE TV platform.
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Network & InfrastructureBT takes carrier aggregation one step further in 5G SA launch prep
Nokia and Qualcomm partnered again for latest 5CC carrier aggregation trial, laying foundations for 5G SA launch later this year.
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: Kirkby earns Slim’s approval; Mehta ratchets transformation agenda
Latest from BT and its ecosystem, including Slim-affiliated investment and Kirkby priorities for asset monetisation. At DTW24, BT execs promoting transformation progress and shift to ‘platform thinking’ — also developments in innovation productivity, autonomous networks, quantum internet, ServiceNow integration, more…
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: interesting infra times in Spain, a SatCo share drop lawsuit, and UK altnets’ ‘moment of peril’
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including consideration at Connected North of how altnets can balance urgent, and occasionally conflicting, priorities; Cellnex aiming to win as the Spanish mobile sector restructures, and exploring a new TowerCo paradigm in Poland; Phoenix Towers’ European expansion ambitions; legal woes compound setbacks at SpaceMobile; plus plenty more…
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: CEO Kirkby sets about transformation agenda, Openreach ramps up build
Latest from BT and its ecosystem of partners as Openreach takes “unapologetic” stance in the face of rollout criticism from challengers; CEO Allison Kirkby reportedly makes earnest moves to implement transformation agenda via consultancy appointment and Ireland shake-up; more from industry events in the UK and Europe…
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EventwatchTelefónica’s Rao warns against 6G jump before realising 5G’s B2B potential
FutureNet World: O2 Germany CTIO cautions telcos against jumping into 6G too quickly and calls for improvements in enterprise sector to close gap between potential and realised revenue growth. Read more, including further views from BT and Three UK…
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: Watson calls for discipline, Openreach eyes fibre mega-contracts
Latest from BT and its ecosystem as CSNO Howard Watson calls for patient investors and looks ahead to rewards at the end of the networks upgrade tunnel; Openreach licks lips at prospect of Project Gigabit mega-contracts; and more SRN updates as EE charges on…
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Network & Infrastructure25G/50G slow-go: Openreach may hold out till 2030s on next-gen fibre tech
In depth report — two of the UK’s biggest fibre wholesalers have dampened expectations of imminent 25G and 50G PON upgrades, despite prep-work. Virgin Media O2-backed nexfibre sees no “imminent” case for commercial launch. Openreach also wants greater energy efficiency and to maximise older-gen GPON value extraction, with point-to-point eyed for enterprise. Read more…
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PeopleBT’s Howard Watson dedicates lifetime achievement award to Networks ‘obsession’
FutureNet World: BT Chief Security & Networks Officer Howard Watson thanks 7,300 BT Networks staff for contribution to BT prowess as he was named Technology Leader of the Year. Other award winners include Amdocs, Celfocus, Netcracker, Nokia, Huawei, Vodafone, more…
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Network & InfrastructureBT, Vodafone seek fast cash and stricter discipline as sector adjusts to new digital reality
FutureNet World: Vodafone’s Andrea Donà and BT’s Howard Watson issue a call for more cash, patient investors, and industry collaboration as network technologies evolve and a light emerges at the end of the investments tunnel. Watson heralds success of fixed, but wants the next mobile ‘G’ to be held back…