More Latest Insight – Page 325
-
People
Ocado delivers new opportunities for BT’s Sherman
Strategy chief’s non-exec position with a leading light in e-commerce platform development fits with his declared goal of reimagining BT’s operations.
-
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.
-
Strategy & Change
T-Systems launches Digital Solutions unit after integration rethink
New digitisation-focused unit first unveiled in April 2018. Detecon consultancy unit and T-Sys MMS no longer involved. New unit to have two joint leaders.
-
M&A
New Three boss snipes at O2–Virgin merger
Finnegan doubtful on merits of O2–Virgin Media deal, but bullish on leading further UK consolidation.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Movistar signals interest in Colombian 5G spectrum
Operating business highlights plans to beef up its 5G spectrum platform, despite ongoing suggestions parent Telefónica is keen to reduce ties to the Colombian market.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Internet Para Todos breaks more ground on open RAN trail
Venture has target of reaching 13,000 rural communities in Peru by end of 2020. Telefónica now has sights set on deploying thousands of open RAN nodes in “core markets”.
-
M&A
Telefónica targets partners for M&A add ons in security
Group reaching into partner base for acquisitions to support expansion plans of new Telefónica Cybersecurity Tech division. Wayra investments maturing as two minority stakes upgraded to whole ownership. Reorganisation of assets for security expansion may be a template for revamp in cloud and IoT target markets.
-
People
BuyIn rejig: Pyrtek out, Felder in
Procurement alliance rotates CEO. Orange takes helm from DT. Felder earns Pyrtek vote of confidence. BuyIn targeting growth — with digitisation, automation in the crosshairs.
-
M&A
Telefónica jilted in LatAm again
América Móvil gave up on Movistar El Salvador acquisition. Telefónica once again sees sale of a Latin American asset derailed by actions of local competition and regulatory watchdogs.
-
Innovation (R&D)
BT’s Adastral Park testing use-cases for EU’s 5G-VINNI project
Project tests 5G for agile media production in broadcasting. BT’s Adastral Park is a main test facility for EU-funded 5G-VINNI project.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Merc’s 5G-equipped future factory begins production
O2 hands over the keys to the campus network it built at the automaker’s Factory 56: seen as a “flagship” for 5G in manufacturing. Production green light marks the start of Mercedes’ all-digital production overhaul.
-
Venturing & Investments
hubraum’s Mixed Reality Programme goes live
First six startups inducted as hubraum continues hunt for commercial MR market. Technologists Nreal and Qualcomm partnered. Mix of late-stage and greenfield startups in a “diverse” line-up. Enterprise customers an apparent target for most.
-
Strategy & Change
Heathrow operator Ferrovial has 5G on radar
Emerging tower and private network ambitions look to set up the Spanish group as a rival and/or partner of operators and their infrastructure arms.
-
Premium
BT TV: A tale of two UIs
The evolution of BT TV reflects a BT journey from an outward-looking “buy” approach to new technology, to a more self-reliant “build” mindset. Divisional BT architects said to have re-focused on project delivery, with strategically-minded enterprise architects taking a Group-wide perspective.
-
Premium
BT takes charge of 5G factory floor
BT collaborates with Worcestershire 5G (W5G) testbed and Ericsson to install ‘live’ 5G factory. Runs and manages private 5G network for Worcester Bosch. Takes technology lead at W5G to accelerate UK adoption of smart-manufacturing.
-
Strategy & Change
Green sees ‘correction’ in TV sports rights prices
BT is attempting to turn down the heat on expectations for broadcast sport auctions in a market that has already seen signs of cooling.
-
Premium
Numbers: no sport and shut businesses take their toll
While whole Group faces headwinds, Consumer and Enterprise take the brunt of COVID-19 impact. The “usual” working capital payments on top of slumping earnings result in negative cash flow for the quarter.
-
Premium
Spending: capex surge still around the corner
Lockdown slows network rollout, but capex remains on track to ramp up from next year. Existing cost cutting to be coupled with pandemic-driven spending reviews for additional sustainable savings. New Huawei rules said not to add to BT’s swap-out burden.
-
Premium
Guidance: what’s the worst that can happen?
Outlook on revenue and EBITDA implies little good news for rest of FY20–21. Earnings growth anticipated in FY21–22, as regulatory headwinds fade and efficiency gains come into play.
-
Premium
Divisional highlights: the value of fibre
Management ready to look at ways to bring out the value of BT’s emerging fibre infrastructure. Beyond the current crisis and recession fears, BT Global advancing down the path to recovery. Sudden freeze of live events underlines the importance of BT Sport to Consumer division financial performance.