All Ofcom articles
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Public AffairsAltnets gird for legal battle over Openreach FTTP pricing — report
CityFibre said to be heading up legal challenge to Ofcom’s Equinox decision. Rural fibre builder Gigaclear among altnets joining forces to fight back against Openreach’s lower FTTP pricing structure.
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Strategy & Change
Jansen battle‑ready as competition grows on two fronts
BT CEO returns to pre‑pandemic promises of a more robust defence of BT’s market position, on price if necessary. Speculation on heightened wholesale competition comes as Openreach Equinox fibre pricing looks set to reinforce the Group’s strong position. Retail threats may be more pressing for the incumbent as Sky ...
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Public Affairs
BT escalates appeal in landline overcharging case
Competition Appeals Tribunal tells BT it has little prospect of success in a call to block US‑style class action. Operator will take case to Court of Appeal as it seeks to swap opt‑out procedure for an opt‑in alternative. The latest update in an ongoing £589m saga amid allegations of ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone takes Ofcom to task over proposed 2100MHz fees
Vodafone warns that rise in licence fees risks being passed onto end users. New annual licence fees for 2100MHz set to come into force from January 2022. Group calculates significantly lower fee compared with Ofcom’s proposal.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: Ofcom launches One‑Touch Switch
Ofcom makes it easier to switch; Openreach waives installation fees for low‑income households; BT Sport partner Qwilt earns Allera recognition and Cisco funding.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Core Markets: Prosegur JV ties with Santander
AMC Networks files arbitration claim against Telefónica in Spain; security JV Movistar Prosegur Alarmas ties with Santander.
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Public Affairs
Openreach gets Ofcom green light for new FTTP pricing
Cheaper “Equinox” wholesale pricing offer to start on 1 October. Ofcom confirms no action needed on Openreach offer. Fibre altnets strongly opposed and considering next steps.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
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Strategy & Change
Altnets object to Openreach FTTP price proposal
Regulatory spat over wholesale FTTP pricing spills out into the open. Openreach says new prices offer certainty and encourage FTTP take-up. Fibre rivals claim the cheaper wholesale pricing scheme will reduce infrastructure competition and deter investment. Ofcom provisionally says no action needed, but final decision is expected by the ...
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: FTTP circuit charges increase
Charge increases for FTTP circuits; investigation into BT’s USO compliance suspended; FTTP rollout in Scottish Highlands prompts disquiet.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced launches
BT and friends enter electric vehicle endeavour; BT Sourced opens its doors.
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Network & Infrastructure
Lopsided Scottish 4G project shows MNO divergence
After slow start, S4GI scheme now a third of the way towards meeting 2023 site rollout target. But EE remains dominant player, with site activation pipeline more than seven times as large as that of its three rivals. Signs SRN could be shunting S4GI down other MNOs’ priority lists. ...
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Public Affairs
BT doubles down against overcharging allegations
Group intends to “vigorously defend” itself against a class action lodged with competition authorities that alleges historic overcharging for voiceonly customers.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach; expanded FTTP rollout
Openreach expands FTTP rollout, and expands cablelaying contracts to support the plans.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen now sees BT chasing 30 million premises with full‑fibre
Extra five million presented as ‘infill’ and presumably more rural. Immediate competitive riposte to news of Virgin Media O2 FTTP retrofit, which it neatly doubles. Jansen says BT not concerned, but challenger altnets should be. No rush for fibre JV partner, but Jansen reveals a UK compatriot would be ...
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Strategy & Change
VM O2 preps for wholesale with code powers application
Concerns over securing acceptable commercial terms for key sites on VM O2 network behind request for additional tenancy rights. Code‑based flexibility will simplify the process of enabling wholesale access to sites, while supporting potential network expansion.
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Public Affairs
NI report criticises past public broadband projects
Audit Office report cannot verify that two broadband projects “ achieved value for money ”. High service take-up rates suggest not all public funding was needed. NI expected to claw back £14m of public funds from BT. Hopes for £165m Project Stratum to deliver better outcome ...
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: Ciena flags optical kit win
Ciena gains an optical kit win; progress update on USO; copper stop‑sell orders issued in further 77 exchanges.
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Consumer (B2C)
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: Ofcom report sheet comes in
Ofcom highlights areas-for-improvement (and differentiation) in customer service; BT Sport continues search for innovative partners.
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 deal with Vodafone to supplement spectrum gains
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with O2 trading blocks with Vodafone, while BT opts to buy preferable positions outright. O2–Vodafone trade ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G‑ready bands.
