All articles by Neal Doran
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Network & InfraMoving fast to fix things: how AI-driven network assurance is reshaping global telecoms
As telcos intensify their drive toward automation and autonomy, assurance becomes the cornerstone of transformation. Learn from North America’s pioneering migrations to Europe’s multi-OpCo transformations how AI-driven, data-centric OSS evolution is reshaping network reliability, service quality, and customer trust…
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Network & InfraClosing the reality gap: vHive now validating mobile towers in real-time, on-site
Interview: mobile network infrastructure plans rarely survive contact with reality, with equipment deviating from specifications in over one-third of sites. vHive CTO Tomer Daniel explains how bridging the digital-physical divide can prevent the industry’s “costliest chain reaction”, including safeguarding 5G performance and accelerating revenue recognition…
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone a “frontrunner” partner as Ericsson seeks new opportunities in “flattish” RAN market
In depth: Upbeat Ericsson management present FY25 earnings complete with organic growth and progress in efficiency programmes. CSPs said to be willing to invest despite muted RAN outlook, as Vodafone namechecked for its ‘physical AI’ groundwork…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: lenders steel for losses; altnets in chart success; ITS shows B2B potential
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including Gigaclear lenders take action, Netomnia and Toob lead altnets in Times tech list, EE updates on ESN, and plenty more…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: consolidation gathers steam; industrial Wi Fi expansion; KKR backs UK data centres
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: ‘aggressive’ new ownership at G.Network, Truespeed flirts with Freedom, GTR secures expansion war chest, and plenty more…
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Strategy & ChangeCelfocus data chief: telcos must balance optimism with pragmatism to power up AI
Telco roadmap: How do communications giants move from data silos to intelligent operations? Data and analytics leader Sofia Esteves cites real-world AI-driven success stories to illuminate why true transformation means rethinking not only systems, but also mindsets…
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M&ALondon fibre shake-up: ‘aggressive’ ex Macquarie investors swoop on distressed G.Network
In-depth: £500m later, lender patience exhausted, and investors sidestepped — London altnet falls into hands of FitzWalter. As ‘ruthless’ distressed asset specialist swoops on unloved fibre builder, TelcoTitans considers whether bold move signals long-awaited reality check for UK fibre valuations and consolidation…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: altnet founder exits; CityFibre’s tech refresh; Fibrus Project Gigabit win
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: McRae returns to networks, troubled times for Octopus investments, new data centre conversion plans, and plenty more…
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Network & InfraThe service assurance gap: why ‘make do and mend’ fails modern networks
As network cloudification accelerates, a critical gap is emerging between next-generation ambitions and rapidly ageing service assurance systems. Explore the strategic roadmap for replacing outmoded operations with AI-enabled, closed-loop automation that drives business value.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: Altnets in the “bleak” midwinter; D9 woes; Ofcom spots fibre strength
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: Gigaclear secures a modest future after Equitix, Digital 9 hit by surprise Arqiva valuation, Ofcom sees fibre access reach surprising highs, and plenty more…
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InterviewLandolina’s “be useful” philosophy: steering Cellnex towards stronger MNOs, digital Britain
Interview: With the telecoms sector at an inflection point, Gianluca Landolina sees opportunity in channelling simplicity and sustainability, as the Cellnex UK CEO shares the strategic logic behind neutral host expansion and why fewer, stronger MNOs are key to the infraco and national resilience.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: data centres chase power, satcos bridge gaps, government tackles scams
Latest from the UK’s digital infra scene, including: billions pour into south east data centres, operators turn to satcos and infra players to plug gaps, heightened focus on network safety responsibilities, and plenty more…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: banks wobble, equity plays chicken, altnets play baddies
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: Voneus calls bankers’ bluff, INCA anticipates altnet dominance, nexfibre seeks consolidation jumpstart, and plenty more…
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Financial & PerformanceEquity vs debt: who blinks first in UK fibre consolidation showdown?
In-depth: While sector consolidation presents complexity for altnets seeking to evolve, challenges faced by financial backers invested through equity and loan facilities should not be underestimated.
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Network & Infra‘Not invented here’: overcoming the obstacles to telco digital twin deployments
Is the ‘not invented here’ mindset holding back digital twin adoption in telco? Major satco and long-time practitioner SES joined SI partner Celfocus to argue that strategic collaboration is key to unlocking transformative potential and accelerate journey towards network autonomy.
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InterviewVoneus ‘plays chicken’ with banks and secures new funding
INCA Summit 2025: Macquarie and Voneus director Oliver Bradley indicates terms were renegotiated on Voneus’s existing £70m debt facility, and stakeholders injected further funds to secure the altnet’s future.
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Partnerships & AlliancesLifecycle Software pulls up on Tomorrow Street
Billing solutions provider with an MVNO focus the latest name to join the Vodafone‑backed incubator’s Scaleup X programme.
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PeoplewatchBT’s Watson to retire, McCall steps up
Greg McCall stepping up to lead networks and security into the age of data and AI, closing out safe-pair-of-hands Howard Watson’s decade of digitalisation, fibre, 5G and cloud modernisation.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch analyst briefing: write-down worries, results revelations, Openreach outrage
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: altnet debt reality bites, rivals sideswiped by Openreach discounts, CityFibre contract gains, and plenty more…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch analyst briefing: altnets assemble, convergence interest swells, finances reinforced
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: Chelot’s altnet future vision, Gamma on FMC opportunities, Project Gigabit funding updates, and plenty more…