Latest UK Headlines – Page 71
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Innovation (R&D)O2 joins call for UK to step up self-driving tests
O2 UK, Cisco, and partners recommended a UK cyber test facility for connected and autonomous vehicles, complete with allocated spectrum and a core and fibre backbone.
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M&AEU court ruling could revive network consolidation
Commission found to have been wrong to block O2–Three merger, based on commitment to upholding four-player mobile markets in larger countries. While not yet final, the court’s decision may fire the starting pistol for a renewed wave of consolidation among telcos struggling to manage competition. Commissioner Vestager side-steps comment ...
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PremiumVodafone public work declines, with battles ahead
VfUK’s position as a strong challenger on the supply of communications to government is under threat from the rise of Virgin Media, with its O2 merger plans likely to intensify competition. New contracts are still flowing through, but prospect of significant contract expiration by the end of 2020 flagged. ...
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PremiumVodafone could face long wait for spectrum
Rival O2 remains vexed by how Ofcom has structured mid-band licence sell-off.
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PremiumBT and Vodafone down arms, talk post-crisis teamwork
Home-working seen as creating permanent new need for stronger networks covering UK homes, and potential for collaboration to deliver it. Industry cooperation seen as having played a key role in the robust management of changing demands on national infrastructure sparked by lockdown. Huawei takes a surprising dig at UK ...
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OperationsO2 offloads lease handling to GCW
OB continues strategic overhaul of UK high street presence, with a “small number” of stores already on the market.
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M&AO2 and VM: cash in the attic and a new shop front
While building a strong UK competitor is the headline motivation behind the plan to merge O2 UK and Virgin Media, for Telefónica the deal is a shining opportunity to get its Group finances in order. Structure of the JV suggests a key opening for Telefónica to bring its strong ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT, WM5G continue to push 5G healthcare tests
Regional 5G consortium highlighted the urgency of 5G deployment in the UK’s healthcare system for improved capacity and efficiency. BT Enterprise CTIO Fotis Karonis redoubles support of 5G-enabled healthcare.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone partners Digital Barriers on COVID-19 checks
UK enterprise customers able to deploy £1,700 solution for 100 readings per minute. Tie-up with Tomorrow Street partner Digital Barriers expands existing collaboration in the UK.
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PremiumBT teams with Cisco for NHS network
BT and Openreach support connectivity at Nightingale field hospitals, with Cisco a key partner.
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PremiumFull-fibre report card shows some UK progress
Latest IDATE figures show UK as one of Europe’s fastest-growing FTTH/B markets by coverage. But only Austria and Serbia fare worse in terms of subscriber penetration.
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PremiumO2 UK heads 5PRING 5G accelerators
O2-led team granted WM5G contract to build three 5G accelerators in the West Midlands. Consortium involves partnership with Wayra, Deloitte, and Digital Catapult.
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Strategy & ChangeO2 UK cuts ties with Carphone Warehouse
Retailer’s pre-COVID-19 strategic retreat from the High Street, and resistance towards sales volume targets, matched with growing O2 emphasis on its own channels, prompted the breakdown of an already strained relationship.
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PremiumDemand still building for UK Huawei ban
An attempt by rebel Conservative Party MPs in the British Parliament to introduce a requirement that HRVS be entirely removed from the UK’s communications infrastructure by 2022 failed in the House of Commons in March 2020.
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Public AffairsO2 UK partner Aerial Direct admits major data breach
Aerial Direct, which describes itself as the largest direct business partner of Telefónica UK (O2 UK), admitted to a major data breach in February 2020.
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PremiumO2 UK reportedly in 5G backhaul partnership talks
El Economista reported that Telefónica UK is holding talks with a broad range of potential network partners on contracts for fibre backhaul to underpin its growing 5G network.
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PremiumVodafone bags 5G spectrum; other OpCos have to wait
Hungarian business secures rights in three new bands. Digi plans legal action over ‘unfair’ 5G auction. 5G auction plans topple in Europe due to COVID-19.
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Suppliers & SCMRebel MPs push for Huawei ban
Attempt to kick out Huawei from UK infrastructure within three years fails to secure backing of Commons. Government considering tougher demands on HRVs to head off rebels, who are expected to return with reinforcements in the summer.
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PremiumVodafone takes bit-part role in UK 5G trials
Grants allocated from £200m 5G trials and testbed pot. Limited telco involvement: Vodafone takes most prominent role, Telefónica and Three UK follow.
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Public AffairsVodafone UK, TalkTalk fail in Ofcom challenge
Vodafone UK and rival TalkTalk failed in an initial appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), challenging findings in regulator Ofcom’s 2019 Business Connectivity Market Review.