Latest UK News – Page 65
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Spain overtakes Orange in retail
Spanish OpCo reclaims second spot from Orange in retail sector.
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Network & Infrastructure
Cellnex wins over BT and CMA to secure Hutchison UK tower merger
BT appeased by recent strengthening of its own Cellnex partnership. Cellnex to complete €10bn, six-country deal following approval of UK merger.
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Public Affairs
OneWeb cancels satellite launches on Russian rockets
Fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits satellite comms operator. Decision could delay service launch and have knock-on effect on distribution partner BT’s rural coverage vision.
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Premium
Vodafone Q3 FY21–22 Spend: CPI+ a “necessary logic”
Price rises planned across Europe, in response to rising costs. Della Valle outlines strategy, but remains vague on details. CPI+ formula embedded in five markets, with more to follow.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach hits pause on community fibre programme
Fibre Community Partnership initiative now closed to new registrations as demand soars. Books will reopen once the backlog is cleared. Openreach claims “extreme” popularity as FCP reached 2,050 communities.
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Network & Infrastructure
High-flying DT partner pilots stratospheric 5G network
Stratospheric Platforms claims success in a demonstration of its High Altitude Platform System, beaming a 5G signal from a mast 45,000ft in the air. The DT investment and strategic partner ran the pilot above Saudi Arabia.
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Premium
M&A? We’re on it, insists Vodafone CEO
Activist investor Cevian Capital reportedly wants Vodafone management to push harder on in-market consolidation. Read reiterates claim that “pragmatic” and “open-minded” M&A has always been the plan under his watch, with returns-focused deals in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the UK in the crosshairs. Vodafone knocks back Iliad bid for ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT strikes improved deal for Cellnex site access
“Enhanced” terms for a site services deal in place until at least 2031 will support EE’s 5G upgrade in key areas. Cellnex asserting its pro-competitive credentials as it slams the CMA for overstepping its remit in questioning the InfraCo’s planned acquisition of CK Hutchison’s UK towers.
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone fosters bot-to-bot transactions with DAB trial
Digital Asset Broker platform enables connected devices to complete transactions “without human intervention”. Electric vehicle trial goes live at Vodafone UK’s technology centre in collaboration with Energy Web and Mastercard.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT breaks ground on sustainable housing project
BT and partners New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Suffolk began construction on the EcoLab zero-carbon affordable home project. Forms part of Adastral Park’s DigiTech Centre, building on ties with the Group’s university partner.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT wants more suppliers to support quantum leap
Operator wants to bring down tech costs to help commercialise new set of services being prepared with next-gen encryption. Comments come with telco weeks away from debuting its first quantum-enabled metro network. Telco prepping international quantum security services play.
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M&A
Telefónica Tech UK&I hints at more acquisitions
Telefónica Tech to continue UK shopping spree this year. After snapping up Cancom UK&I, division wants to expand cloud and cybersecurity presence in the region.
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Network & Infrastructure
“Huge volume of work ahead”: Openreach details storm recovery efforts
Eunice and Franklin repairs ongoing, but still almost 20,000 Openreach customers unable to access broadband. “Vast majority” down to power outages. About 100 Openreach poles damaged alongside 300 green roadside cabinets.
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Public Affairs
Telco inflation playbook: raise prices, cut costs, embrace digitalisation
Tough times ahead for telco customers, employees, and suppliers, as inflation drives price hikes, capex and opex control, and ongoing workforce reductions. Inflation-linked contracts to boost service revenue and outpace rising costs. Digital transformation efforts seen as key to cost savings.
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Marketing
BT recalibrates ad strategy with in-house reshuffle
Operator joining up ad capabilities across Consumer, Enterprise, and Global. Establishes new Media Centre of Excellence to share learnings.
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Public Affairs
UK’s Ofcom acknowledges telco’s Big Tech quandary
Regulator sees potential for hyperscalers to support more flexible mobile infrastructure. But it also identifies competition on service delivery as an opportunity and threat to traditional players. Limits on spectrum availability also putting the squeeze on operators as data demand keeps surging. CMA considering two decisions on competition that ...
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: eyes on public sector in enterprise swaps
New enterprise segment leads in Italy, Spain, the UK, and others, with public sector account growth among the primary targets. Scott Petty adds Vodafone weight to TM Forum initiative. Governance and regulatory spots filled across the operator’s footprint. Group loses quintet of IoT developers to rival BT as health-tech ...
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Public Affairs
Viasat’s Inmarsat takeover hits political debris
US satellite operator’s planned acquisition of UK rival (and Deutsche Telekom partner) prompts national security concerns as critical infrastructure given state protection. New foreign takeover law affords Whitehall power to intervene, which looks increasingly likely.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
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Premium
BT people moves: BT Federal fills out
Mike Barthlow appointed CEO at BT’s US public sector division, with senior reports changed in parallel. BT’s healthcare focus tightened with a new HealthTech Incubator under Harmeen Mehta’s Digital domain and strategic health programme lead named at Enterprise. Openreach Service Delivery changes as Olly Kunc ships out.