Neal Doran
Neal Doran is a Senior Analyst for TelcoTitans. Neal's industry knowledge and experience as a telecoms analyst and writer spans three decades, and he has been a key part of TelcoTitan's Editorial team since 2001.
Contact info
Network & InfrastructureTelefónica scales back open RAN expectations
Spanish group looks to have reined back on flagship ‘50%’ target for open RAN rollout.
- Partnerships & Alliances
SpaceMobile stays flexible as final testing nears
New funding deal with B Riley provides cash assurance as investment builds ahead of commercial launch.
- Financial & Performance
Q1 FY22: Telefónica facing challenges with a spring in its step
Strong start to FY22 saw cross‑examination on prospect of a quick upgrade on guidance for the year. VM O2 the odd one out as three of Telefónica’s core markets show strengthening operational performance and clear vision for market evolution. Telefónica Tech building momentum, but strategy of buying short‑term growth ...
- Operations
Telefónica tightens management focus for Spanish platform play
Previously heralded Industry Verticals unit now up and running as Telefónica implements a more ambitious multi‑play strategy. Growing Wholesale business receives dedicated leadership, while regional management will take greater role in supporting B2B sector. Brand manager Serrahima given broader remit to improve customer experience in all sectors.
- Marketing
Telefónica has a change of plan on convergence
Fusión brand set to be replaced after a decade as totem for Group’s convergence strategy. Move comes with convergent ARPU and acquisition in stall. New service to draw on Group’s prolific recent recruitment of partners such as Microsoft, Prosegur, and Teladoc.
- Strategy & Change
Telcos must build trust as foundation for data services
Operators currently assume an unfounded bond of trust with customers, but can still build role as valued brokers, believes VM O2’s CDO. Fostering an improved reputation for trustworthiness and delivering privacy‑by‑design can lead to new revenue streams, according to Vodafone Business data chief. Ex‑Deutsche Telekom veteran calls on operators ...
- Strategy & Change
Telcos seek security in the cloud as 5G grows
Telefónica’s Patricia Diez Munoz acclaims 5G security credentials, but edge deployments and multi‑vendor environments bring new challenges. Neil McRae of BT positions security at the fore of cloud‑native transformation and calls on vendors to finally ditch legacy attitudes to security, and the days of “stupid passwords”.
- Network & Infrastructure
BT seeks cloud security to enable native infrastructure
Chief Architect Neil McRae positions security at the fore of cloud‑native transformation. Calls on vendors to finally ditch legacy attitudes to security, and the days of “stupid passwords”.
- Network & Infrastructure
Fibre in Water trials set to boost remote 5G rollout
Tests of fibre broadband technology within water mains infrastructure will examine potential for using water pipes to bring Gigabit connectivity to remote areas. 5G masts to be linked to 17km stretch of network as part of £3.2m project. New industrial use‑cases for connectivity intended to minimise water leaks and ...
- Network & Infrastructure
Liberty CTO sees VM O2 fibre cost advantage
Rodriguez bullish on a cost‑effective transition to fibre in the UK market, confounding the consensus view. However, other Liberty ventures may see a longer and more costly migration. Liberty embracing an all‑IP environment as a chance to make the most of network capacity while delivering bundled offerings. Perils of ...
- People
Ofcom chair-elect “lacks knowledge” on digital issues
Lord Grade, set to take the chair at the UK’s media and telecoms regulator, lacks fundamental experience on key issues of social media and online platforms despite strength in broadcasting. Competitive and transparent telecoms industry among Grade’s priorities. Cronyism concerns after Grade’s appointment followed by Ian Cheshire’s move to ...
- Partnerships & Alliances
SpaceMobile lures Orange with Vodafone template
Evolving cellular broadband provider now claims association with 1.8 billion mobile accesses as commercial plans progress. FY21 results see $80m more cash spent by SpaceMobile, but with $322m still at hand to fuel 2023 first phase launch. Management assures supply chain and satellite slots secure despite global upheaval.
- Network & Infrastructure
Euro giants put O‑RAN security and sustainability in spotlight
European open RAN MoU group drawing focus towards the potential for targeted and measurable energy efficiency gains through adoption of open disaggregation, supporting critical operator goals. Security review suggests an open architecture, drawing on IT security protocols and built on a zero trust methodology should prove more secure than ...
- Strategy & Change
Mehta puts BT Digital “on steroids” to power transformation
Chief Digital & Innovation Officer Harmeen Mehta relishes opportunity for dramatic change at BT, as she sets about untangling digital architecture. Google‑powered Digital Brain to bolster AI and data platform. Digital jumps on cost savings bandwagon, with £500m contribution expected. Talent and recruitment drive incoming.
- Partnerships & Alliances
SpaceMobile steps up commercialisation plans
Confirmation of multi‑launch agreement demonstrates building momentum for space‑based cellular connectivity solution, despite earlier prototype delays. Satellite operators jostling for launch spots as Russian rockets are frozen out in response to Ukraine invasion. Partner and investor Vodafone set to offer seamless SpaceMobile integration, with Group CTO framing the technology ...
- 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.
- Financial & Performance
Telefónica’s FY21 comms decrypted: anticipating a new, asset‑light dawn
Solid organic performance fuels management confidence in Telefónica’s ability to maintain growth and regain traditional swagger. New Spain and UK FibreCos to round off Group infrastructure monetisation programme. Near‑term growth may still be dependent on inorganic activity in Brazil and JV success in UK.
- 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 ...
- Public Affairs
Alierta era scandal still haunting Telefónica
Telefónica pays €6m into court to cover potential civil liabilities linked to trial of disgraced former advisor Rodrigo Rato. Newspaper speculation portrays Rato’s co‑defendant, former Telefónica counsel Sánchez de Lerín, as “the man with the briefcase of secrets” linked to the telco. Rato litigation an ongoing hangover from earlier ...
- M&A
BT wary of Cellnex compromise on CKH tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from existing estate to enable new UK tower player to emerge, overcoming CMA concerns on competition linked to planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies already stepped forward as potential buyers. BT remains concerned about impact on MBNL and 5G investment plans.
