Latest UK News – Page 91
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone UK unveils plans to kick-start open RAN
OpCo commits to 2,600-site rollout; suppliers in evaluation stage. VfUK aims for at least 20% of UK sites based on disaggregated architectures, but not until 2027. Timeline dovetails with Huawei kit removal roadmap. Investment geared towards encouraging more participation from operators, suppliers, and government to get open RAN ball ...
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone brings 5G to UK CAM testbed
VfUK set to deploy macro 5G coverage along regional CAM route. Move builds on OpCo’s existing future mobility partnership in region, and efforts to tap into key UK government 5G development programme.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Greece targets submarine business
Vodafone Greece eyes submarine; cashiers going virtual in Spain; Vodafone UK blocked from handset blocking.
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Premium
Margins slip as BT Consumer pursues quality
Another tough COVID-19-impacted quarter but management playing the long game, with a focus on premium services. Network investment continuing as division seeks an uplift from next-generation platforms. BT reputation improving, but weaknesses remain outside core products, necessitating dual-brand approach. Commercial partnerships remain a key strategic element, but hit to ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Ericsson joins Nokia in 5G RAN mix
Swedish supplier claims it will handle 50% of EE’s 5G traffic. Vendor stockpiles antennas ahead of Brexit to meet projected UK demand. BT’s Watson talks optimistically about reshaping networks for the future in the absence of Huawei.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra UK’s Moraes: startup maturity needed
UK Country Manager highlights shift in focus for Wayra: scale-ups that can better take advantage of Telefónica opportunities. UK strategy outlined: B2C a priority; 5G development encouraged. 5G to be deployed across all European Wayra hubs.
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Financial & Performance
BT cash to take a hit on Brexit and Huexit stockpiling
An improved earnings forecast at BT is not expected to generate more cash as the operator buys up Huawei gear ahead of the 5G ban. Ericsson highlights its own efforts to ensure it can meet BT’s needs in uncertain times ahead.
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M&A
Vestager: Brexit complicates O2-VM competitions ruling
European Competition Commissioner signals openness to allowing CMA to oversee the review of O2’s proposed merger with Virgin Media History, and the appeal of the EC being able to reassert its views on market consolidation, may still point to Europe asserting its prerogative however. O2 and Virgin Media see ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BT to parachute 5G onto Irish port
Former BT testbed to experience 5G’s full potential. Industry 4.0 applications to be given get-go in multi-purpose setting. BT adding to its private network portfolio.
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People
Vodafone moves: M-PESA readies for growth; Vi’s Vora departs
Vi CTO Vishant Vora steps down leaving a vacancy. Several changes in Germany across departments. M-PESA gets a CTO to aid expansion. Former VGE CEO gets board position; Cheang named Huawei security lead.
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Consumer (B2C)
Legacy IT hinders BT Consumer brand meld
Siloed IT for BT, EE, and Plusnet creates cross-selling challenge. Vendor selection process for IT overhaul has been going on four years and is not yet complete.
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Public Affairs
TalkTalk stiffens resistance to Openreach network pricing
Alternative network provider is waging an ongoing war with Openreach over wholesale fees.
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People
Telefónica moves: strategy and restructuring mean changes across all markets
Telefónica Global Solutions beds in. Swaps in all Core Markets. Changes made across Telefónica Hispam footprint.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: engineers honoured, Welsh targets in sight
Engineers honoured with MBEs; fibre expansions trumpeted in Scotland and Wales; and PSTN switch-off trudges on.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Technology: open source on the wishlist
Calls for greater open source collaboration, BT breaking technology silos with ‘speed-dating’, persistent Emotet threat flagged.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: Swantee eyes wholesale customers
Swantee eyes BT wholesale customers, Pourrat urges EV grants, Group supports new employee saving scheme.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT boosts content delivery at the edge
BT adopts Open Caching edge solution from Cisco, Qwilt, and Digital Alpha, claiming first 5G MEC capability in UK.
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Content & TV
BT in cross-fire over pay-per-view matches
Broadcasters switch to pay-per-view model for Premiership football. Flak taken for pricing, but pegged as an interim measure to survive COVID.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT deepens Bristol University research ties
BT Group continues to cement ties with UK universities. Quantum research highlighted as focus, with QKD developments on the horizon.
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Products & Services
Asda Mobile returns to Vodafone UK network
Past flame rekindled as Vodafone regains love for MVNO partners.