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.
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Public AffairsVodafone-backed AST SpaceMobile landed with ‘stock drop’ class action
The NASDAQ-listed LEO satellite provider hit by class action after supplier problems caused a launch delay, and a subsequent slump in shares.
Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: squeezing value from investment, Lightning administration unpicked, SiFi lands in America
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including infra owners declaring if they’ve got it, they might as well use it; a Lightning‑quick insolvency resolution; the Welsh sector veteran bringing fibre to the US; people moves, and plenty more…
Financial & PerformanceLightning Fibre’s quick insolvency switch could show the way for struggling altnets
Lightning Fibre’s £40m pre-pack sale out of administration and back into the hands of the investment fund that had supported its initial build may prove a template for struggling UK altnets as expectations on performance levels rise, but at what cost for suppliers and partners? Read more…
Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: CTOs to the fore as industry reshuffles, DT disses 1&1, BDUK springs forward
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including big Project Gigabit wins for Quickline, Wessex Internet, and Wildanet; a first appearance in the wild of a DSIT-funded 4G mast; DT taking a swipe at its newest mobile rival; people moves, and plenty more…
Network & InfrastructureMajor players in the frame as Project Gigabit mega-deals come into play
Altnets including Quickline, Wessex and Wildanet pick up BDUK contracts to reach rural homes, but the prospect of cross-regional deals for Openreach and VM O2 appears increasingly likely as another agreed deal is abandoned…
Network & InfrastructureDSIT-funded masts go live as UK’s SRN plugs eco-credentials
The Shared Rural Network is gathering steam and tooting its horn as government cash finally begins to flow to remote 4G sites. SRN management are pushing an environmentally friendly purpose, and operators EE and VM O2 are vying to be seen as programme stars.
Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: sharpened focus for emerging TowerCos, bumps on path to UK fibre consolidation, 6G in space
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including TowerCos IHS and Helios embracing core-strengthening exercises; Netomnia’s predictions for a likely ceiling on market penetration for altnets; and the beginning of the next rules update for the UK’s fibre landscape. Plenty more…
Public AffairsRound 3: Phones 4u’s MNO collusion claims OK’d for appeal
EXCLUSIVE: Court of Appeal to reconsider initial judgment that cleared operators and then-parents. Questions may include whether more weight be given to findings that attempts were made to fix 4G pricing by O2 and Vodafone, that EE misled Ofcom, and that Ronan Dunne made an apparent admission of coordination between Telefónica and Vodafone. Deutsche Telekom and Orange still potentially on the hook as former EE owners, but extent of any direct impact still pending. Learn more…
Partnerships & AlliancesBT bolsters cloud security with Zscaler deal
Zscaler doubles down on its BT relationship with ‘world‑first’ managed services partnership featuring its Zero Trust Exchange platform.
M&AVodafone ‘not well managed’ suggests disgruntled Xavier Niel
Vodafone minority shareholder Xavier Niel has cast doubt on Vodafone management’s strategic vision in a Sunday Times profile that followed the sale to Swisscom of the Vodafone Italy business he has long coveted.
Network & InfrastructureBlue Planet: Re-making telcos as platform heroes
Blue Planet is calling on operators to build new platforms that rise above the existing tangle of legacy technologies and unlock the revenue and innovation opportunities promised by a fully automated ‘no ops’ future.
M&ACMA concerned Vodafone-Three could access O2 and EE secrets
As expected, the UK merger is headed for tougher scrutiny in a longer investigation following an initial review by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Network & InfrastructureComms industry looks off-planet for next-gen networks
Non‑terrestrial network technology is set to be in demand as commercial space exploration gathers steam, while public‑private projects building a presence in space may provide additional benefits for Earth‑based connectivity.
InterviewNetomnia: capex inefficiency is blocking consolidation opportunity
Speaking to TelcoTitans, Netomnia founder and CEO Jeremy Chelot suggests too many altnets are banking on unachievable take-up goals, and that playing fast and loose with investor money has resulted in a block on viable valuations for consolidation.
Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: fibre switching ‘hijacked’, Cellnex asset squeeze, CityFibre gets acquisitive
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including Netomnia’s takedown of Openreach and VM O2 on fibre switching delays; Cellnex plans for a future focused on delivering returns; fibre rollout progress in Europe and Latin America; and a potential spark for accelerated altnet consolidation in the UK.
Public AffairsPhones 4u trial: O2, Telefónica slapped on costs, appeal in pipeline
P4u still pursuing UK MNOs over collapse, despite losing trial and first appeal. Has been super squirmy for many involved, including adjacent revelations. Legal costs in near-decade battle top £100m for P4u, EE, O2, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica — with judge spotting defendants nearly £9m for dubious antics…
EventsSpecial Report: AWS telco commitment takes generative AI up a level at MWC
TelcoTitans explores the backdrop and impact of Amazon Web Services at Mobile World Congress 2024, where the dynamically different event presented a microcosm of the new telco industry. Featuring insight from senior AWS figures on critical new technologies, the cloud platform giant is setting out its stall to support the sector as it crosses into its techco future…
Network & InfrastructureRakuten nabs a position at DSIT’s 5G diversity test centre
The UK government is upping its efforts to create a diverse 5G supplier ecosystem with Rakuten Symphony solutions procured for its £80m testing facility, and network security a key driver…
M&AVodafone lines up Italy escape, taking €8bn in Fastweb cash
Margherita Della Valle’s M&A-led rationalisation programme marches on; Italy set to become second major European market Vodafone exits under new CEO’s regime… but how does the Swisscom deal compare with the Iliad proposal Vodafone turned down?
Products & ServicesCTO Petty backs XR as Vodafone and Qualcomm target 5G enterprise
MWC: Vodafone’s CTO Scott Petty sees telemedicine and manufacturing as key areas where XR apps can help build new business cases that leverage 5G investment.