All Infrawatch articles
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Network & Infrastructure
UK gov pares back Shared Rural Network targets in strategic rethink
Building Digital UK scales back plans for further rural 4G coverage expansion after hitting initial Shared Rural Network targets early. Strategy shift comes after discussions with local communities and interest groups, with BDUK aiming to maximise coverage while delivering “best value for public money”.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone, SpaceMobile pick Luxembourg for European SatCo HQ
Group further embeds itself in Grand Duchy with local headquarters.
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Network & Infrastructure
UK energy provider plots £3.9bn dive into data centres
Apatura announces plans to construct 550MW data centre in North Lanarkshire, with hopes of winning government backing through AI Growth Zone initiative. Site is one of several that the energy business is developing across Scotland’s central belt.
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People
Magyar Telekom selects CEO of wireless infra carve-out
Hungarian operator names wholesale expert Sándor Markovics CEO of planned tower spin-off after shareholders voted for the creation of the new unit at a recent EGM.
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Network & Infrastructure
Project Reach: Freshwave, Neos seek digital infra ‘blueprint’ to power up UK rail
Freshwave and Neos Networks firm up collaboration with Network Rail and UK mobile operators to upgrade fibre and wireless infra along key UK rail routes, with funding from the likes of DigitalBridge, Infracapital, and SSE Group. Work to begin imminently, with pair hoping to develop business model “blueprint” for future deployments…
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica leads Spain’s bid for EU-backed AI Gigafactory
Telefónica and MasOrange are part of a consortium hoping to win a concession for a large-scale AI data centre in Spain through a €20bn European Union programme aimed at building up the region’s AI infrastructure.
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Network & Infrastructure
UK’s Freedom Fibre bails out of second Project Gigabit deal
UK altnet becomes latest to cancel rural fibre contract with Building Digital UK, leaving the organisation needing to find another supplier to cover more than 8,500 un-connected premises …
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M&A
TalkTalk ‘scopes out banks’ in strategic review amidst debt struggles
Troubled UK provider reportedly scoping out candidates to manage a strategic review of its business, including potential to sell remaining units PXC and TalkTalk Consumer.
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Financial & Performance
CityFibre closing in on existential £2bn funding — report
Leading UK fibre altnet reportedly close to securing long-anticipated new equity and debt refinancing, to support operations, organic expansion, and M&A consolidator credibility in overcrowded fibre sector. CityFibre says further details to come “shortly”…
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M&A
Eutelsat to boost LEO expansion with €1.3bn+ capital raise
French satellite operator raises fresh funding from existing investors, with national government set to become its largest shareholder. Satco said the financing will enable LEO expansion as it executes its “long-term” strategic vision.
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Venturing & Investments
Wessex Internet secures another helping of UK gov fibre funding
The UK government’s National Wealth Fund injects £50m into rural-focused altnet. Combining the cash with prior Project Gigabit wins, Wessex Internet aims to more than triple its current fibre footprint…
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Network & Infrastructure
Airbus looks to MNOs, SatCos for added mission critical comms resilience
CCW 2025: after Airbus and Vodafone collaborate on mission critical comms in Europe, Airbus programme lead Thibaut Faivre talks future MNO partnerships in MEA, expanding the defence giant’s public safety footprint, and the role of SatCos in secure communications.
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Network & Infrastructure
Czech telco trio partner with gov to fill in 5G coverage gaps
O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone join forces with Czech government to strengthen 5G connectivity in areas with “insufficient” coverage and no imminent commercial build plans. Initiative is the latest government-backed scheme in Europe aimed at improving mobile coverage, particularly in rural areas…
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Weekly Briefings
UK Infrawatch briefing: NVIDIA swoops; BDUK target stretches; altnet ownership wobbles
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: AI’s role in future connectivity, UK and local government investment plans; altnet acquisition rumours; people moves, and plenty more…
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Network & Infrastructure
Ex-Nominet boss tasked with hitting UK government’s broadband infra goals
The agency leading key UK government-backed digital infra projects has appointed Lesley Cowley as Chair, tasked with overseeing the Shared Rural Network and (recently delayed) Project Gigabit initiatives…
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telenet and Proximus near fibre sharing tie-up
Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries says major Belgian telcos are nearing completion on a deal covering fibre build-out and infra-sharing. Discussions mark the latest move in Belgian fibre asset reshaping, as operators seek to give a sorely needed boost to country’s FTTP build-out while stretching out scarce capital.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Hungary’s 4iG is latest telco entrant into European arms race
Hungarian telecoms and tech player set to take a 75% stake in military-focused holding business, dubbed N7 Defence, becoming the latest telco to target growth from increased security spending.
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Products & Services
CityFibre seeks B2B market share with Ethernet expansion
UK’s largest altnet has made Business Ethernet services available to more than 260,000 enterprises, claiming the expansion will enable its ISP partners to sell services in an “easier and more efficient” manner…
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Weekly Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: fixed infra rejigs; DC money keeps flowing
Latest on EMEA digital infra: major investments in data centre expansion seen across the region; Spanish telcos continue work on creating new fibrecos after major M&A last year; Vodafone diversifies build partners at German fibre JV after Geodesia ”issues“…
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Network & Infrastructure
VodafoneThree seeks ‘convergence opportunity’ with FWA plan, fibre altnet deal
Newly combined UK mobile giant sees promise in fixed, too, signing Community Fibre agreement to reach a total of 22.5 million FTTP premises. VodafoneThree expects the fixed broadband base to double, while Community Fibre “optimistic” about industry-leading take-up rates…