Latest UK News – Page 68
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Premium
BT people moves: ESG key in New Year changes
Digital impact and sustainability manifesto brings a number of new roles to further ESG agenda. Fibre build challengers Borderlink and Hyperoptic poach ex-BT and Openreach staffers to drive regional FTTP rollout plans. Healthcare remains a key focus for Digital and Enterprise developments.
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People
Openreach’s McTighe emerges as frontrunner for Ofcom chair
Mike McTighe, Chairman at Openreach, reportedly on the shortlist to oversee regulator. Drawn-out search for Lord Burns’ successor sees another BT-affiliated name on the cards.
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M&A
DAZN retakes lead in BT Sport race
Sports streaming specialist in pole position to land $800m deal. Discovery JV still a possibility, but cash injection may be preferable as BT invests in 5G and fibre rollouts.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Openreach: Selley plays down fibre workforce concerns
Selley dampens workforce concerns; copper stop-sell rollout continues.
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Openreach gets good marks for independence
Ofcom monitoring unit warns BT and Openreach to stay vigilant. Stakeholders raise concerns about PIA, defective poles, and lack of clarity on Openreach’s build plans. Equinox pricing offer deemed free from BT influence, as Ofcom defends its approval to Competition Appeal Tribunal in challenge brought by CityFibre.
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Elsewhere in UK: VM O2 augments EV fleet
VM O2 augments EV fleet; becomes founding member of National Databank to provide free data to low-income households.
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Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: BT links up with TIM & Telefónica in Turin
BT Enterprise ties with Italian telcos for connected cars and the University of Hertfordshire for smart city solutions.
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BT focuses energies on health industry
BT ramps up plans with formation of Clinical Advisory Board populated by eight NHS clinicians. Move builds on operator’s sign-up to Health Tech Alliance and The Kings Fund as part of efforts to expand in the industry through collaboration.
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VM O2 completes UK Gigabit rollout
Connectivity now reaches 15.5 million homes. Company to invest further £10bn in next five years.
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EE climbs on board with BAI
EE and Three UK become first two operators to sign up for neutral host network. A further key element is enabled for the Emergency Services Network. Motorola Solutions appeals CMA decision to investigate dual role as Airwave and ESN supplier.
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EE trudges on with Shared Rural Network progress
46 ‘fresh sites’ delivered under SRN programme. EE to upgrade a further 1,532 sites with 4G by 2024 in ‘partial not-spot’ phase.
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Elsewhere in BT Group: another Newcastle call centre to get refurb
Ericsson meetup for tech team; Second Newcastle call centre set for facelift; Osborne misses out as BT’s M&A chaperone boosts takings.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s McRae sees open RAN potential in tackling ‘not-spots’
Optimistic about RIC to enable connectivity in hard-to-reach places. Flags work on rural open RAN trial in Wales, with BT as neutral host provider. Restates view that open RAN functionality is more important than lowering costs.
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Operations
Openreach turns to video AI to cut install snags
Infra provider claims install quality, efficiency, and consistency gains from roll out of video analytics software from partner Vyntelligence.
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany completes 3G shutdown in final hours of 2021
O2 Germany closed last 300 3G sites in December. CEO Markus Haas reiterates call for change in spectrum policy. Spain and UK to follow suit with 3G sunsetting.
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People
Ex-chair du Plessis wants to “move on” from BT exit
Jan du Plessis describes BT chairmanship as “not a great time”, but remains confident in Group strategy under CEO Jansen. Unceremonious resignation came amid reports of falling-out between the pair. Newly knighted du Plessis now teed up for UK audit watchdog role.
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Premium
Vodafone amongst UK operators to action inflation-linked pricing
Vodafone joins fellow operators in price hike announcements as UK inflation pushes broadband and mobile prices up nearly 10%. Consumer challenges affecting MNOs too, says Vodafone spokesperson.
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Innovation (R&D)
Telefónica Tech and Darwin collaborate on cybersecurity for CAVs
Deal continues Telefónica’s collaboration with Darwin on development of new CAV industry vertical.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone hails “technological milestone” with open RAN trial
Successful test completed in collaboration with long-term software partner Mavenir.