Latest from Connected Britain
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Interview
CEO Interview: CityFibre on M&A watch, competition bottlenecks, BT economic rationale questioned
‘BT’ called out for obstinate, irrational, anti-competitive behaviour that penalises own shareholders — needs to prioritise copper shutdown to deliver fibre payback, and start serving consumers outside Openreach footprint. Also CityFibre’s M&A tracking/ranking and NetCo purism, big-3 ISP lockout, regulator told to keep sharp, and more…
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Events
Interview: CityFibre strives to shift the dial on UK fibre safety standards
Connected Britain 2023: In an interview with TelcoTitans, Sarah Parsons, Director of Compliance at CityFibre, shares how the altnet is evolving its safety standards to keep pace with its fibre rollout, and how it collaborates with peers in the SHiFT group to compete to do better.
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Events
Rural fibre business case “getting stronger” as UK altnets look to boost take-up
Connected Britain 2023: UK fibre builders warming up to rural rollout as private funding becomes harder to access. Perspectives from Lothian Broadband, County Broadband, CityFibre, Openreach, and CommScope.
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Events
Interview: UK altnet Hyperoptic boosts CX in full-fibre take-up drive
In an interview with TelcoTitans, Dana Tobak, founder and CEO of Hyperoptic, shares how financial discipline guides the UK altnet.
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M&A
MPs warn of “terrible consequences” of Vodafone–Three “cartel” as security put in merger spotlight
MP disquiet on prospect of Chinese part-ownership of UK’s largest mobile network appears closely tied to union Unite’s ‘dossier’ outlining national security threat, as shadow of Huawei ban looms large.
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Strategy & Change
BT quashes talk of Openreach split
Connected Britain 2023: Howard Watson and Clive Selley say structural separation is not on the agenda; BT focused squarely on driving full-fibre deployment.
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Events
Investors say “time to think better” on UK altnet strategy
Connected Britain 2023: investment firms express clearer vision for which altnets it anticipates will succeed in the market.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vector Technologies: fibre access networks must embrace multi-vendor to achieve scale efficiencies and spur innovation
As fibre access operators focus on operational excellence for sustainable growth, fostering vendor competition while protecting service stability will be essential, according to Vector Technologies. The broadband SI also has clear execution and strategy guidance on automation, softwarisation, complexity, standardisation, and the skills gap.
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Premium
Fibre players want further action on multi-dwelling challenges
Openreach and Virgin Media O2 representatives look to overcome obstacles in fibre rollout to multi-dwelling units in the UK.
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Premium
UK gov has ‘arrangements’ to protect Project Gigabit amid supplier squeeze
Building Digital UK says taxpayer-funded supply contracts are sheltered from partner collapse or acquisition, amid ongoing expectation of sector consolidation.
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Premium
UK gov discussing new ‘fund’ to fill Project Gigabit gaps
Building Digital UK considers new ‘product’ to fuel next stage of government Gigabit programme.
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Premium
CityFibre: Openreach strategy puts UK foreign investment at risk
CityFibre execs in Manchester and Madrid warn Ofcom that Openreach’s Equinox 2 pricing model jeopardises success story of foreign direct investment in UK infra.
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Strategy & Change
Connected North: Big players stay cool on UK altnet consolidation
All eyes on what CityFibre, VM O2, and parent Liberty Global will do in crowded UK fibre scene, but they’re not in a rush to start buying.
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Public Affairs
Ofcom: operators must do more to help crisis-hit customers
Regulator finds a huge jump in number of households struggling to afford communications services, with pay-TV spend under particular pressure.
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Public Affairs
Demand grows for UK Databank as living costs rise
Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, and Three donate mobile data to support internet connectivity for 500,000 people, as households struggle.
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Network & Infrastructure
Mesch: fibre facing its ‘dotcom bubble’ moment
CityFibre CEO anticipates a period of rationalisation that will see the unprepared go to the wall, but a stronger altnet sector emerge.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Big five UK ISPs test social housing broadband scheme
Manchester explores public-private partner model for affordable broadband.
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Premium
VM O2 fibre wholesale talks “not easy”, says Schüler
CEO Lutz Schüler in “balancing act” with prospective wholesale customers.
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Premium
VM O2 tests digital inclusion scheme in Manchester
Cost‑of‑living crisis driving city’s vulnerable residents offline.
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Strategy & Change
Cautious Virgin Media O2 seeks ‘balance’ in fibre wholesale talks
CEO Lutz Schüler in talks with prospective wholesale customers.