Latest UK Headlines – Page 3
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Watson teases 5G SA ‘this year’, but willing to wait to get it right
MWC: Chief Security & Networks Officer Howard Watson is eyeing a 5G SA launch later in 2024, as the “green shoots” of enterprise use-cases begin to emerge. Meanwhile Watson set out the final steps to take on the Huawei replacement programme…
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: Allera hunts relevance, networks evolve, iconic Tower falls
Latest from BT and its ecosystem as MWC takes hold of the industry and Consumer chief Marc Allera takes advantage to lay out plans for EE relevance, resonance; back home BT checks out of Tower and flicks NB-IoT switch; more from Digital, Networks, Openreach, elsewhere…
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PeopleEx-BT CEO Patterson takes board seat at altnet aggregator X3T
Interconnect platform operator X3T bolsters board with UK telecoms hall-of-famers Gavin Patterson and O2 UK’s Derek McManus.
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Consumer (B2C)BT’s Marc Allera: putting relationships first as operators strive for ‘resonance and relevance’
MWC: BT Consumer CEO lays out focus on building a “relevant” EE brand that prioritises connectivity-adjacent services, before leveraging BT’s network strengths once relationships are built.
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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…
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Network & InfrastructureVirgin Media O2 takes second place in UK’s 5G SA race
Operator launches 5G standalone commercial offering for customers in 14 locations, aiming to deliver higher bandwidth and lower latencies.
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Network & Infrastructure‘Focus and finance’: Telefónica sees UK NetCo adding fuel to fibre build
Virgin Media O2’s co-parent paints new, networks-focused UK business as an engine to accelerate roll out and monetisation of fibre connections.
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Network & InfrastructureBT launches NB-IoT network for smart cities, connected farms
Narrowband IoT network runs on EE 4G network, targeting use cases for low-power devices with low data demand.
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Network & InfrastructureUK’s £1bn 4G ‘not spot’ programme slammed by national auditor; ‘5G SA for all’ doubts
Behind schedule Shared Rural Network a mess but not quite a fail, and another example of government mismanagement. Ofcom slapped for unfit-for-purpose market definition and data. MNOs on hook for cost overruns, and better updates…
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Strategy & ChangeMCR becomes BT Tower custodian in £275m hotel makeover
Iconic London landmark set for radical change of use in hands of experiential hotel operator MCR.
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: UK fibre competitors hit out with renewed vigour; what was in Allera’s CEO pitch?
Latest from BT and its ecosystem as competitors ramp up ambitions and investment challenge to Openreach fibre incumbency pretensions; Consumer boss Marc Allera backs Kirkby mandate (but what would he do “really quite interesting” if made CEO?); more…
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Opinionnexfibre CEO: Sustainable competition in the UK fibre market is crucial to long-term growth and innovation
OpEd: Rajiv Datta, CEO of leading FibreCo (and £4.5bn InfraVia-Liberty Global-Telefónica JV) lays out manifesto for an open and future-proof UK fibre market, aspiring beyond the basics and connectivity doldrums to lift society and the digital economy. With nexfibre at forefront…
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: billion-pound network investments, digital inclusivity, and French fibre M&A on the menu
VM O2 moves to forge UK NetCo/ServCo split in operations; associate nexfibre to remain separate, commits £1bn to 2024 build; Orange CEO suggests M&A still on agenda to expand domestic fibre footprint; TalkTalk in negotiations over wholesale arm sale; much more…
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ProfileUK altnet Freedom Fibre brings “new tricks” to crowded, fragmented market
Profile: Freedom Fibre CEO Neil McArthur is a serial network builder making moves in the UK altnet market with his latest venture.
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Network & InfrastructureVirgin Media O2 fibre NetCo carve out coming for Openreach (and ISP clients)
Potential number-two NetCo to be created by VM O2 and owners Liberty Global and Telefónica, with the aim of creating a scale wholesale fibre challenger; open to M&A consolidation; nexfibre remains arms length…
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Network & InfrastructureConnectivity gaps in the spotlight as UK preps for automated vehicles
New study will explore the infrastructure needs for the deployment of connected autonomous vehicles in line with government 2025 goals, with connectivity at the core.
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Financial & PerformanceVirgin Media O2 rejigs spend plan and strategy as well of merger gains starts to dry up
UK operator seeks to put more fuel in its earnings tank through ‘incremental’ investments in customer experience, digital, fibre sales, and new products this year. Move comes amid wider, dramatic refresh of VM O2 business with the operator kicking off process of NetCo-ServCo split.
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Network & InfrastructureBoldyn taking 4G to world’s largest offshore wind farm
International digital infra group to deploy network at Hornsea 3, enabling project efficiencies, as it looks to position itself as connectivity ‘partner of choice’ for complex environments.
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Peoplee& CEO Hatem Dowidar to take seat on Vodafone board
It’s a happy Valentine’s Day for Vodafone and e& as the partners obtain regulatory approval to get together in the board room.
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M&ATalkTalk confirms wholesale stake sale plans, ties Consumer to exclusive access deal
TalkTalk confirmed exclusive talks are ongoing with a potential new equity partner for its wholesale business, Platform X Communications, as it refinances its £1bn debt facilities.