All articles by Neal Doran
-
Analyst BriefingsUK Infrawatch analyst briefing: Netomnia evolution, data centre planning pushback
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: GoFibre and Netomnia funding success, planning ups and downs for data centres, TalkTalk travails; people moves, and plenty more…
-
InterviewvHive CEO interview: digital twins now ‘single source of truth’ for MNO infra
Mobile operators “don’t want data, they want insights”, says Yariv Geller. Wide-ranging conversation explores maturation of digital twin tech for infra asset management, its role as ‘single source of truth’, and how it’s becoming invaluable for network optimisation and towerco M&A due diligence.
-
Financial & PerformanceTPG: Vodafone up for £360m windfall as Oz outpost splashes the cash
Following the multi-billion-dollar sale of its fixed assets, TPG Telecom is initiating a major capital return. The “novel and complex” AUD 3bn plan is designed to reward major shareholders while courting minority investors and improving the telco’s stock exchange and credit profile. It also boasted a cracking H1…
-
Deep DiveLegendary corporate raider reveals 3% Vodafone stake
Deep Dive: Following Liberty Global’s sharp exit, billionaire Martin Ebner has emerged as a prominent shareholder. The investor, known for forcing major change at Swiss firms, is now fourth on the shareholder roster, leaving the market to ponder the activist’s next move.
-
Financial & PerformanceVi shares plummet: no further state support for Vodafone’s India affiliate
With share price diving after government indicated no further state help, at least on current basis, beleaguered Vi under renewed pressure to secure future and fund critical 5G rollout…
-
Analyst BriefingsUK Infrawatch analyst briefing: CityFibre upgrade plans, Netomnia wholesale goals, datacentre net zero gains
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: government support for digitalisation sustainability, CityFibre tackling technology integration, a new UK wholesale platform; a flurry of new senior appointments, and plenty more…
-
Network & InfraThe single source of truth: how TowerCos and MNOs are mastering digital twins
From accelerating M&A due diligence to slashing truck rolls and ensuring revenue, digital twins are reshaping MNO and TowerCo operations. At different stages of adoption, but as one on importance of getting the data right, leaders from BT, TDF, PTI and vHive reveal how this technology is creating the digital truth for physical assets, how this can be advantaged, and what’s next…
-
Analyst BriefingsUK Infrawatch analyst briefing: altnet financing flows, DSIT ponders infra future, satcomms prioritised
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: new financing for Grain Connect and TalkTalk, UK government backs satcomms, Wight Fibre shares overbuild lessons; people moves, and plenty more…
-
Consumer (B2C)WightFibre focuses on demographics and experience as local market matures
CEO John Irvine identifies key demographics where converged legacy players may still hold sway, although bonds are loosening…
-
Financial & PerformanceQ1 FY25–26: Openreach fibre machine keeps rolling
Access services business keeping up its relentless build pace, while connections are soaring. UK fibre’s pre-eminent multi-tasker shows build can be accelerated alongside strong take-up, but broadband losses continue to mount in the meantime…
-
Financial & PerformanceGrain snags £225m funding as Equitix recommits
Nearly half a billion pounds in total funding now unlocked to fuel one of the UK’s largest and most intriguing low-cost fibre builds, with Equitix re-upping investment alongside bigger funders…
-
Analyst BriefingsUK Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: CityFibre reloads, Aviva consolidates, Cellnex eyes UK
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: CityFibre secures financing for expansion drive, GoFibre picks up Project Gigabit deal, Cellnex engages UK government on investment; people moves, and plenty more…
-
Public AffairsUK Court of Appeal sides with operators in latest Phones 4u ruling
The UK Court of Appeal has decisively ruled against Phones 4u’s long-running allegations of collusion among major operators, leaving the retailer to consider its final legal options and face substantial costs…
-
Analyst BriefingsUK Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: speed race hots up, gov gives and takes, PIA protested
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: Sky boost for CityFibre and consumer broadband speeds, government promises advanced connectivity investment, SRN goals scaled back; altnets lobby on PIA changes; people moves, and plenty more…
-
Network & InfraCase study: Telenet adopts network digital twins to break automation glass ceiling
How can operators achieve genuine network autonomy? Telenet’s Stijn Eeckhaut and Celfocus’s Carla Penedo reveal their phased approach, leveraging network digital twins and a cognitive operations layer, as well as empowering engineers to build trust in new data-driven processes.
-
InterviewFibrus founder decries PIA “margin squeeze”, calls out Ofcom to fix rural fibre build
Interview: Northern Ireland FibreCo hero says Openreach’s duct and pole sharing terms “just wrong”, undermining rural fibre investment. Outspoken chair Conal Henry proposes “fair bet” pricing overhaul, calls on Ofcom to fix its error in latest sector Review…
-
TechnologyA Pragmatist’s Guide to Telco AI: BT and Zayo on getting data right, winning fast, riding the wave
From data foundations, sidestepping common pitfalls, and rapid experimentation, to real-world use cases, scalable growth, and building profit centres. Actionable insights and proven strategies for how AI is being harnessed to transform telecoms, drive operational excellence, unlock new revenue
-
Analyst BriefingsUK Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: NVIDIA swoops; BDUK target stretches; altnet ownership wobbles
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: AI’s role in future connectivity, UK and local government investment plans; altnet acquisition rumours; people moves, and plenty more…
-
TechnologyCarla Penedo interview: Celfocus’s network AI evangelist charts path forward
Exclusive insights from network AI leader on navigating complexities of converging networks, integrating legacy systems, and leveraging network digital twins, Agentic AI, and AIOps for measurable impact. In-depth interview reveals strategies and partnerships redefining telco transformation in cloud-native, AI-enabled era. Humans included…
-
Financial & PerformanceCityFibre ups the ante with 5Gbps fibre launch
New 5.5Gbps offering to be available across national footprint once XGS‑PON upgrade completed. While notably differentiating in the UK, 5G-10G services increasingly available elsewhere in Europe, and at low cost…