Digital Infra People Moves
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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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Financial & PerformanceLightning Fibre’s quick insolvency switch could show the way for struggling altnets
Lightning Fibre’s £40m pre-pack sale out of administration and back into the hands of the investment fund that had supported its initial build may prove a template for struggling UK altnets as expectations on performance levels rise, but at what cost for suppliers and partners? Read more…
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: CTOs to the fore as industry reshuffles, DT disses 1&1, BDUK springs forward
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including big Project Gigabit wins for Quickline, Wessex Internet, and Wildanet; a first appearance in the wild of a DSIT-funded 4G mast; DT taking a swipe at its newest mobile rival; people moves, and plenty more…
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Network & InfrastructureMajor players in the frame as Project Gigabit mega-deals come into play
Altnets including Quickline, Wessex and Wildanet pick up BDUK contracts to reach rural homes, but the prospect of cross-regional deals for Openreach and VM O2 appears increasingly likely as another agreed deal is abandoned…
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PeopleUK fibre challenger AllPoints nets Adtran CTO
High-profile Ronan Kelly joins £1bn-backed FTTP wholesaler within Octopus’ streamlined Fern Trading stable.
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Network & InfrastructureRakuten nabs a position at DSIT’s 5G diversity test centre
The UK government is upping its efforts to create a diverse 5G supplier ecosystem with Rakuten Symphony solutions procured for its £80m testing facility, and network security a key driver…
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InterviewFibrus preps off-net retail expansion, asserts leadership in own footprint
CEO interview: having achieved FTTP leadership and segment-topping KPIs within own fibre footprint, altnet now challenging traditional incumbents on own turf. Northern Ireland a case study in high-penetration and how hyperlocal majorly disrupts network, ISP status quo…
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Network & InfrastructureUK’s £1bn 4G ‘not spot’ programme slammed by national auditor; ‘5G SA for all’ doubts
Behind schedule Shared Rural Network a mess but not quite a fail, and another example of government mismanagement. Ofcom slapped for unfit-for-purpose market definition and data. MNOs on hook for cost overruns, and better updates…
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M&ADigitalBridge sees ‘pretty hot’ multiples driving more infra investor M&A
International fibre, tower, and data centre investment group has ‘ideas’ up its sleeve to ride new wave of consolidation in the digital infra asset manager space.
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Opinionnexfibre CEO: Sustainable competition in the UK fibre market is crucial to long-term growth and innovation
OpEd: Rajiv Datta, CEO of leading FibreCo (and £4.5bn InfraVia-Liberty Global-Telefónica JV) lays out manifesto for an open and future-proof UK fibre market, aspiring beyond the basics and connectivity doldrums to lift society and the digital economy. With nexfibre at forefront…
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: billion-pound network investments, digital inclusivity, and French fibre M&A on the menu
VM O2 moves to forge UK NetCo/ServCo split in operations; associate nexfibre to remain separate, commits £1bn to 2024 build; Orange CEO suggests M&A still on agenda to expand domestic fibre footprint; TalkTalk in negotiations over wholesale arm sale; much more…
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Suppliers & SCMEuroTeleSites switches to Sitetracker in bid for efficiency boost
A1 Telekom Austria spinout plans to complete migration of asset management software to a new, “state of the art” platform by the end of 2024.
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ProfileUK altnet Freedom Fibre brings “new tricks” to crowded, fragmented market
Profile: Freedom Fibre CEO Neil McArthur is a serial network builder making moves in the UK altnet market with his latest venture.
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Network & InfrastructureConnectivity gaps in the spotlight as UK preps for automated vehicles
New study will explore the infrastructure needs for the deployment of connected autonomous vehicles in line with government 2025 goals, with connectivity at the core.
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Public AffairsEuropean Commission bending to Big Telco calls for consolidation — report
Draft policy paper shows EC ready to make big changes in telecom rules to allow its big players to scale, invest and better face other (typically US) service providers, according to reports.
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M&AOrange is ‘actively looking’ at fibre M&A opportunities
Group CEO Christel Heydemann confirms halting of discussions on purchase of TDF’s fibre unit, but indicates operator remains open to bolt-on transactions for broadband infra footprint.
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Network & InfrastructureBoldyn taking 4G to world’s largest offshore wind farm
International digital infra group to deploy network at Hornsea 3, enabling project efficiencies, as it looks to position itself as connectivity ‘partner of choice’ for complex environments.
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M&AAustria’s EuroTeleSites ‘not interested’ in a tower merger with Cellnex
Management of tower offshoot from Austrian incumbent A1 is not looking to absorb Cellnex’s local business, despite ongoing indications it is in play.
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M&ATalkTalk confirms wholesale stake sale plans, ties Consumer to exclusive access deal
TalkTalk confirmed exclusive talks are ongoing with a potential new equity partner for its wholesale business, Platform X Communications, as it refinances its £1bn debt facilities.
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Public AffairsUK: Lords maul government on digital exclusion, call for greater altnet role
Locally-focused altnets are seen as a valuable tool in bridging the Digital Divide by peers tasked with assessing the costs and consequences of digital exclusion.