All Infrawatch articles
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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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Venturing & InvestmentsDTCP closes second Infra fund, hints at a third
Report suggests that DIV II fund fell €40m short of its €1.6bn target.
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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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OpinionAgents of change: how not to be a dinosaur in the digitised MNO era
Itai Karelic, CRO of AI‑powered asset digitisation solutions provider vHive, is calling upon MNOs to step up and shape their future by becoming true agents of change. By taking decisive steps to leverage the benefits of digital twin solutions across tower estates, Karelic says MNOs can unlock the promise of network performance and operational efficiency.
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Network & InfrastructureGermany’s 1&1 claims network prep progress, with modest site growth
German challenger expects to construct 3,000 antenna sites in 2024.
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Network & InfrastructureComms industry looks off-planet for next-gen networks
Non‑terrestrial network technology is set to be in demand as commercial space exploration gathers steam, while public‑private projects building a presence in space may provide additional benefits for Earth‑based connectivity.
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Network & Infrastructure‘Stop the mud slinging’: DT’s Gopalan hammers German rivals’ fibre competition complaints
FTTH Conference 2024: Tensions spill over in Berlin on fibre leaders CEO panel, with competitors arguing over who and what is to blame for poor position in European league table on availability and penetration. Incumbent Srini Gopalan lambasts ‘rhetoric’, untruths, lying. Read much more…
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InterviewNetomnia: capex inefficiency is blocking consolidation opportunity
Speaking to TelcoTitans, Netomnia founder and CEO Jeremy Chelot suggests too many altnets are banking on unachievable take-up goals, and that playing fast and loose with investor money has resulted in a block on viable valuations for consolidation.
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Financial & PerformanceHelios swaps land-grab for lease-grab in strategy refresh
Middle East and Africa tower group makes a change-up of headline KPIs after shifting away from M&A-based expansion of tower footprint.
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Financial & PerformanceIHS Towers hires advisers to assess ‘strategic alternatives’
Tower group’s annual results this week sees chief executive highlight initiation of a strategic review of its business, amid share price slump.
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Network & InfrastructureDeutsche Telekom wades into ‘trench warfare’ over fibre duct access
Group continues to refute accusations it is trying to hinder altnet fibre buildouts.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica Infra moves closer to 30m full-fibre target
Spanish group reaffirms aim to pass over 100 million homes with fibre networks by 2026, helped by growing portfolio of specialist side-businesses.
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Strategy & ChangeCellnex to carve out (and possibly monetise) land assets
Spanish group outlines plan to create the “biggest LandCo in Europe” as part of cash flow-focused strategy update.
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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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Network & InfrastructureVodafone, OXG pull €1bn from German fibre investment pot
OXG Glasfaser to widen Vodafone Germany’s reach in major expansion initiative, covering 900,000 homes. Project to begin imminently, at a time when Germany’s fibre market is only getting more competitive…
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty eyes network-sharing deals in a “couple of markets”
MWC: Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries says network-sharing holds potential as part of broader need for telcos to up their partnering game and “return to profitable growth”.
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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…