Latest UK News – Page 93
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Innovation (R&D)
Double dose of reality for BT in Glasgow R&D link-up
Controlling football crowds and helping train technical staff among 5G-based applications being looked at in AR/VR tie-up with University of Glasgow.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Nokia pick points to renewed virtualisation drive
Nokia to become 5G infrastructure top dog as Huawei fades. Virtualisation opportunities abound as BT and Nokia commit to expanding open RAN ecosystem, and imminent developments on the network edge are anticipated.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: cyber security swaps in central Europe
Changes rung in Group and OpCo enterprise arms. Czech, German, and Tanzanian OpCos name new cyber security heads. Another telco exec leaves for pastures new at AWS. Former Vodafone Transformation lead Finch takes Three UK CIO gig.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT fires another warning shot over fibre roadblocks
Without the right “policy, legislative and fiscal enablers”, BT warns full-fibre nationwide coverage will not happen until 2033. Government target for universal coverage of “Gigabit-capable broadband” is 2025.
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People
Telefónica movers: Wayra Brasil seeks digital partners; O2 UK’s Gilson leaves for Three
Guilherme Amorim takes Head of Partnerships spot at Wayra Brasil. O2 UK network-sharing project manager Gilson to run Three’s RAN. Movistar Chile names a new Director of Digital Transformation.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT, O2 underpin West Mids 5G transport management projects
BT and O2 involved with projects mapping traffic, congestion, and infrastructure. Other projects focus on passengers, pedestrians, tourists, and parking. WM5G allocates £2.4m to seven project consortia; £2.5m for next round.
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Partnerships & Alliances
O2 supports green initiative in Thames Valley
O2 UK helps fund smart city deployment for greener networks drive. ADEPT’s Live Labs project small-scale, but with broader ambition.
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People
Former BT exec Hanif Lalani stripped of OBE
Lalani’s last BT role was CEO of BT Global Services. He was fined €1.5m by France’s stock market watchdog in 2012.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT customer quantum trial underway using commercial product
BT highlights ability to plug QKD into OSA Filter Connect, a commercial WDM-based product provided by Openreach. Extensive commercial deployment of QKD in BT’s metro and core networks still at least five years away, however.
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M&A
Fries and Álvarez-Pallete: two minds on UK JV
While Telefónica and Liberty said to be on same page on O2–Virgin Media integration, respective chiefs hinted at varying concerns and strategic priorities linked to the progress of the JV.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica's core markets: Ezentis bags Brazil contract; Atos in Spain
Ezentis and Tech Mahindra in key support roles, O2 UK introduces Bubl.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Europe: 5G projects gain momentum across Vodafone OBs
VfUK closes in on Gigafast rollout target; 5G projects gain momentum across OBs.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach misses out on NI’s Project Stratum deal — reports
Startup Fibrus reportedly wins contract for Project Stratum. Fibrus shaking up Northern Irish fibre scene with big plans and deep pockets.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Morathi named Vodacom CFO
German CIO Spenlé confirms his departure, swapped with Irnich. Brázdilová steps up to take senior role in Czechia and UK telco regular McWeeney takes on “dream” Vodafone role. Vantage Towers fills out its roster. Vodacom names its new CFO after top-level reshuffle.
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People
Former BT leaders split across UK-China divide
Ex-BT CEO Ian Livingston expected to foster support for challenger vendors as UK transitions from reliance on Huawei equipment. Predecessor Sir Peter Bonfield charged with smoothing relationships between government and Chinese-funded chipmaker Imagination Technologies. Ex-Chairman Rake has been under fire as Huawei-apologist.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Group: media speculation and hubraum startups
UK media revives the ‘will they won’t they’ BT–DT love story
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Network & Infrastructure
UK’s 4G-based Emergency Services Network faces more delays
Airwave unlikely to be switched off until 2024, possibly 2025. EE on track with 4G network.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT, Stirling to launch Scottish Living Laboratory
BT named technology partner for University-led climate monitoring project. EE’s 5G network put to work.
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Operations
BT–EE meld: more execs become part of the mothership
BT’s de-duplication effort accelerates with more than two thirds of EE’s operations staff being swallowed up by its parent Group since April 2019.
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People
Telefónica moves: cyber security remains a focus
Cybersecurity spin-off ElevenPaths brings in H2020 lead Granadino for investment roadmap. O2 UK’s Suvo Datta gets called up to WM5G, leading the growing regional hub’s finance strategy.