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
Weekly BriefingsUK Infrawatch Briefing: altnets and Openreach square up, data centres spread out
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: data centres embrace regional opportunities; overbuild threats loom; a closer‑than‑expected scale fibre platform; people moves; plenty more…
Financial & PerformanceCost leadership key as UK FibreCo Grain sows seeds of profitability
Connected North: Grain CEO Richard Cameron positions “cost leadership” as the key to long‑term success for a consolidating and converging altnet sector, following positive earnings in most recent quarter.
EventwatchOpenreach and altnet ‘Gladiators’ trade blows on future costs of PIA
Connected North 2025: In robust exchanges at Connected North, Fibrus Chair warns regulator is on the verge of repeating mistakes of the past on PIA pricing, and too easily steered off course on policy.
M&ACityFibre’s Holden: altnets and backers must pull together for investment‑grade nirvana
In-depth from Eight Advisory’s London event: as UK fibre altnets face financing challenges, optimistic CityFibre COO reveals vision for consolidation, suggesting sector is “a very small number of M&A transactions away” from creating a sufficiently scaled platform to rival BT/Openreach and VM O2. Additional Greg Mesch and Rob Hamlin coverage from FTTH Conference in Amsterdam…
Network & InfrastructureINCA hails altnet heroes as spectre of overbuild looms
In a punchy, positive report altnet industry group INCA hails “dynamic” altnets on a mission to bring “fairer, faster, and more resilient” connectivity to the UK, but competitive benefits may not be sustainable, and the spectre of ‘supervillain’ Openreach still looms large.
Innovation (R&D)Gov report predicts £15bn telco productivity boost by 2035
PwC research on emerging technologies sees AI as leading economic transformation, but future telecoms one of the five biggest contributors to GDP growth of 8% by 2035.
Weekly BriefingsUK Infrawatch Briefing: supply vulnerabilities, vendors value altnets, aggregation opportunities
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: APFN breaking down national fibre barriers, Xantaro driving Wildanet’s ‘aggressive’ expansion; DSIT tackling UK’s vendor duopoly; people moves, and plenty more…
Suppliers & SCMNokia and Xantaro flag value of altnet supply deals
Kit vendor and solution provider sign contracts with Fibrus and Wildanet respectively as altnets emerge as increasingly significant to vendors…
Suppliers & SCMIn-depth: UK grapples with ‘high dependency’ in network supply chain after security risk clampdown
Deep dive: supply chain watchdog addresses risk of over‑reliance on Ericsson and Nokia in access networks and warns of Ericsson dominance in mobile core. Multi-vendor environment remains a goal, but complexities come with it…
Weekly BriefingsUK Infrawatch Briefing: fibre consolidation, regulatory consideration, core reinvigoration
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including fibre consolidation questions raised; Ofcom and government open up opportunities; Neos Networks plans a comeback; people moves, and plenty more…
Network & Infrastructure£50m bonus: Fibrus secures Cumbrian Project Gigabit extension
CEO Dominic Kearns talks to TelcoTitans as the Northern Irish altnet readies to deliver fibre to 21,000 premises as part of a £50m Project Gigabit contract extension in Cumbria.
TechnologyDT, Orange and Celfocus pin strong management strategy as key to GenAI impact
Insight into how telecom giants are leveraging AI to revolutionise network automation, including Deutsche Telekom’s cultural shift, Orange’s ambitious 2026 goals, and Celfocus’ insights on managing network complexity.
M&ACityFibre returns to M&A with Connexin deal
Acquisition of network assets in Hull and surrounding region could see additional 184,000 premises passed by CityFibre network.
Network & InfrastructurePhotonic networks: Orange and Telefónica predict energy gains, 6G benefits
European operator duo highlight the potential for all‑photonics networks to play an important role in achieving net zero goals in the near‑to‑mid term, also envisaging their role in future network technology.
Network & InfrastructureGame of two halves: Ofcom preps for next five years’ fibre investment
Ofcom declares its fibre strategy to date a success, but reiterates it was implemented with a long‑term outlook running at least over the course of the next review period.
Network & InfrastructureGermany weighs down EU fibre progress, as France shines
Latest research from FTTH Council Europe shows EU’s largest nation remaining among its slowest fibre builders as clock ticks on to reach 2030 goals for universal coverage. You can meet TelcoTitans in Amsterdam next week at the Council’s FTTH Conference 2025…
InterviewNeos Networks on renewal of its UK backbone for altnets, AI and hyperscalers
Neos Networks is reshaping its trajectory with a sharpened focus on optical connectivity and strategic partnerships like Project Reach with Network Rail. Learn how this SSE-Infracapital-backed UK backbone operator considers itself uniquely placed to leverage opportunities in AI-fuelled data centre expansion and altnet consolidation.
Network & InfrastructureCommunity Fibre: don’t fear the overbuild
London altnet CEO Graeme Oxby asserts the presence of fibre competition is a spur for greater adoption, as Community Fibre sees accelerating progress on uptake across its 1.3 million premises footprint.
Partnerships & AlliancesOrange adds Telesat to its growing LEO portfolio
French operator’s latest satellite alliance sees it expand wholesale connectivity portfolio, while providing ground connectivity for the Canadian SatCo.
Weekly BriefingsUK Infrawatch Weekly: Netomnia goes mobile; ESN mobilises; Freedom Fibre walks
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including altnet strategies on uptake acceleration; Project Gigabit and SRN updates; altnet and data centre investment plans; people moves, and plenty more…