Latest UK News – Page 20
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Financial & PerformanceNew EE must wait five years to be rid of Old BT
New CEO Allison Kirkby re-confirms Jansen/Allera New EE strategy, but BT brand to limp on in Consumer at least until PSTN shutdown, with Plusnet retained as broadband b-brand. ARPU is up, but multiplay elusive as ever, subscribers still being lost, still far from walking the talk. Read more…
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Consumer (B2C)BT delays Digital Voice switchover, revamps all-IP rollout plan
BT needs more time to complete the switch to digital landlines but hopes Digital Voice customer conversions will go hand-in-hand with full-fibre upgrades.
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Financial & PerformanceOpenreach to invade Project Gigabit, snap up altnet misfires
FY23–24: Closing in on infill Project Gigabit contracts, also eyeing altnet misfires. Line loss the new reality despite strong fibre build and take-up momentum. TelcoTitans BTwatch predicts altnets will step up, not roll over. New CEO Kirkby makes clear Openreach not for sale (yet). Read more…
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Financial & PerformanceBT Business gets UK exceptionalism vibe, with Global ops on chopping block
New CEO Allison Kirkby mulls further ‘optimisation’ opportunities in latest bid to turn around long-beleaguered B2B activities. Much-lauded new network-as-a-service proposition Global Fabric may be retained as partner play. Domestic rump not obviously a better bet, however…
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone CEO: “No remedies needed” for UK merger
FY23–24: Some done and more to come in Group CEO Margherita Della Valle’s reshaping of the European footprint. With approval for Spain sale, M&A focus turns to completing Italy and UK deals — with the latter looking likely to cause headaches despite the CEO’s optimism…
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Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: Group focuses on key deals, initiatives in Q1 to keep GPS on track
Operator showcases modest growth in Q1 FY24 results publication, with plans for acceleration over rest of year, although uncertainty on critical initiatives remains. Meanwhile, mobile offerings strengthened in Germany, Spain, and the UK, both above and below the ground. Read more…
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: Kirkby gathers transformation troops, but can she convince investors?
Latest from BT and its ecosystem the day before the Group’s FY23–24 results hit the screens. CEO Allison Kirkby is corralling a new squadron of incomers to drive forward her flavour of transformation for BT, but investors so far appear unconvinced. Spectrum auctions may be imminent, as real estate redevelopment nears completion, and a revitalised Corporate & Public Sector team boast a West Country win. Read more…
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: land grabs, power-sharing, and an AI tidal wave
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including: plans for InfraCos to both attack and defend against challenges in the market with new land acquisition and energy plays; data centre prep for building ‘AI tidal wave’; a busy time for vendors in the evolving German infrastructure market; people moves; and plenty more…
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OperationsOpenreach opens ‘snazzy’ new City HQ
BT’s access services business has moved its HQ to a new site in London, closing out a tenure at ‘tired’ King’s Cross offices.
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Innovation (R&D)UKTIN: Why collaboration is key to driving investment in R&D for the telecoms sector
OpEd: Jon Hunt, Project Board Member at the UK Telecoms Innovation Network, sees potential easing of M&A regulation in Europe as opening a path for telcos to improve collaboration, R&D and funding efforts on an international scale, including with academia and Big Tech. Read more…
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Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: cost of Ethiopian expansion laid bare; another twist in M&A tale
Latest from Vodafone, affiliates and partners: Group earns security clearance for UK merger; Ethiopia optimism reiterated despite financial reality check; and TowerCo Inwit braces for reshaped Italian market following MNO reshuffle. More from South Africa, Spain, Netherlands, elsewhere…
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Content & TVVirgin Media O2 taps Amdocs for TV streaming upgrade
UK major to integrate Subscription Marketplace solution into existing content streaming and TV offering. Move builds on prior relationship with Amdocs, and wider engagement with Telefónica Group outside of the content streaming sphere…
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M&AVodafone−Three welcome deal’s security clearance as focus turns to antitrust
UK government green-lights merger (with caveats) after conducting security review, but Vodafone−Three are far from celebrating as the CMA’s investigation steps up a gear and leaves consolidation in doubt…
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PeopleBT Peoplewatch: as Kirkby ups the transformational ante, ex-CEO Patterson goes boardroom ‘goliath’
40+ senior/strategic appointments across BT Group, including: new CEO Allison Kirkby making mark with more transformation-focused imports; ex-CEO Gavin Patterson makes it boardroom berth number-eight; and major changes at revamped BT Business. Fibre build remains priority at Openreach, while Consumer beds in fresh device and marketing leadership. Read more…
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Financial & PerformanceUK’s Digital 9 reshapes boardroom, weighs Arqiva options as wind-down progresses
Former Bank of Scotland exec Eric Sanderson named Chair to lead wind-down process, with one or more other Non-Execs to be added in near future. Steps made in asset sale but future of Arqiva stake not yet decided.
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Weekly BriefingsBTwatch Weekly: BT adds to concerns about Vodafone−Three UK merger, EE Finance gets Patterson’s Glow
Latest from BT and its ecosystem of partners and suppliers in a week where the UK’s competition authority revealed the level of concern it has about Vodafone UK’s proposed merger with Three — with BT’s networks found to be one potential flashpoint. EE continues retail revamp; Etc. ignites EV charging trial; and Business advances its Portfolio makeover…
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Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: ups and downs in Group’s network-sharing tie-ups and M&A; RAN mega-tender KO
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: commencement of massive RAN tender; regional network-sharing in Australia; and UK merger with Three competition concerns mount. Elsewhere: Vodafone Business seeks role in edge compute innovation; Vodacom Tanzania facing legal action; and more consolidation prospects in the Netherlands and Spain explored…
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InterviewBrace for ‘AI tidal wave’: Kao Data urges UK data centre step change
Next-gen specialist discusses Manchester Data Centre of the North investment sweetspot, need to prep for AI-fuelled tsunami of demand (nowhere in Europe ready). Read more…
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Financial & PerformanceInfra investors line up for stake in Virgin Media O2’s new NetCo
Q1 FY24: Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries says Boston Consultancy Group and Deloitte hired for financial and project planning, as investors appear interested in fibre spin-out plans. Despite confidence in fibre growth opportunity, VM O2’s fixed customer base declined in an overall uneasy quarter for the operator…
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Consumer (B2C)EE’s £6m bricks-and-mortar retail investment brings more customers, better connections
EE’s newest Experience store opened in Bristol, with nine more to follow in the next year as part of £6m retail investment.