Joseph Purnell
Joseph Purnell is the BTwatch Editor and a Senior Reporter at TelcoTitans, contributing telecoms news analysis since 2019 as part of the TelcoTitans Editorial team.
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TechnologyVodafone forecasts ‘big bang’ as agentic AI starts to transform network ops
Vodafone’s hybrid GenAI strategy is unlocking new efficiencies in network management, with AI agents like VINA poised to improve productivity and support autonomous operations. Learn how Vodafone and partner Celfocus are addressing the complexities of data governance, security and organisational change…
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: attention turns to post-merger strategy in the UK
Latest around Vodafone, including rumours of a UK pay-TV play once Vodafone and Three complete their combination; Vodafone and Digi’s Romanian M&A hits its first regulatory speedbump; Group entities lobby for improved subsea security and land bank protections; Vodacom’s Shameel Joosub goes on tour…
M&AVodafone, Digi yet to convince regulators on Telekom Romania Mobile takeover
Romanian antitrust authority raises eight areas of ‘concern’ over complex, two-way acquisition.
Products & Servicesgiffgaff embraces ‘natural evolution’ as it prepares for broadband launch
VM O2 sub-brand giffgaff starts limited trials for broadband service using nexfibre infra.
Strategy & ChangeBT Business CTO on nailing telco’s complex TaaP dance
Colin Bannon issues stark warning about challenges of Telco-as-a-Platform shift, but boasts of benefits drawn down in BT’s journey so far.
Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: M&A spotlighted in Europe; rural fibre the focus in UK
Latest from BT as the Group advances its UK retrenchment on multiple fronts; Openreach build continues at pace, with connections to boot; Global Fabric expands Google Cloud collab for greater scale, reach; Harmeen Mehta named CDIO at BT data centre partner Equinix…
Strategy & ChangeVodafone–Three MergeCo looking to TV for convergence boost — report
Soon-to-be-combined operators said to be exploring TV subscription options as part of plan to poach customers, ramp up convergence.
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: Group rings changes in Luxembourg and HQ
Latest from Vodafone as Ninian Wilson takes charge of new Procure & Connect business; another boardroom rejig; news of change afoot in India; Dutch M&A on the cards; and a series of Business deals…
Partnerships & AlliancesBT boasts Google Cloud tie-in as Global Fabric accelerates AI deployment
Integration of new Cloud WAN into Global Fabric platform set to enable BT Business customers ‘put the foot to the floor’ in AI deployments, with Google looking to disrupt global MPLS market in the AI era…
Network & InfrastructureOpenreach’s new deputy CEO: fibre take-up accelerating, ‘and we can go even faster’
FTTH Conference 2025: Katie Milligan teases Q4 build and take-up figures as Openreach keeps up the fibre rollout pace. Altnets reframe competition battle around migration…
Network & InfrastructureAllPoints revs fibre platform engine as aquila nears launch
APFN ‘opens the taps’ of aquila platform, onboarding early ISPs and readying for more, one month ahead of formal launch.
Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: BT braced as network tech moves from hype to reality
Latest from BT as Harmeen Mehta joins BT partner Equinix; Group eyes network edge as the tech nears maturity; legal headaches continue as EE fights overcharging class action; UK fibre scene spotlighted as Openreach competition changes shape…
PeopleEx-BT digital chief Harmeen Mehta joins Equinix
Transformation chief and ‘AI leader’ takes to new Californian digs as Equinix CDIO, tasked with driving digital transformation and innovation strategy.
Strategy & ChangeVodafone’s latest B2T spin-up: €20bn+ Procure & Connect
In-depth: Unusual combination of procurement and roaming services marks another step in Vodafone’s ambitious Business to Telecoms strategy to commercialise its internal shared central functions to the wider industry, with efficiency also in the mix.
Enterprise (B2B)‘The year it comes to life’: BT readies for network edge maturity
BT Wholesale’s Mark Toman lays out expectations for network edge in 2025 as early hype gives way to real-world deployments.
M&AFullFibre eyeing next M&A target as UK altnets enter ‘consolidation phase’
FTTH Conference 2025: FullFibre CEO James Warner teases more M&A to come as altnets prepare for ‘consolidation phase’, underpinned by regulatory certainty and investor confidence…
M&AVodafoneZiggo open to M&A as it edges into Dutch fibre space
Mike Fries, CEO of parent Liberty, indicates M&A may have a role to play as VodafoneZiggo strengthens its broadband infra platform.
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: positive moves for dealmaking Group
Latest from Vodafone as the Group faces the ups and downs of dealmaking; hype turns to more grounded optimism on small cells and 5G MPN solutions; several key changes to OpCo ExCos, and some new digs for former CEOs; more across the footprint…
Financial & PerformanceVodafone’s Vi stake diluted further as gov strengthens grip on Vi
Struggling operator Vi takes debt-to-equity conversion deal that will see the government’s stake near 50%, and Vodafone’s drop to a reported 16%.
M&AUK investor Actis picks up South African tower player
Actis joins forces with local investors to acquire Telkom’s Swiftnet tower business, with plans to expand to become a market leader.