All Ofcom articles
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Finance & StrategyVM O2 may save close to £1bn on fibre as CEO declares three-player market unviable
Virgin Media O2 has pulled the plug on its cable-to-fibre conversion, potentially avoiding nearing on £1bn of investment as management argues that three-way infrastructure competition is economically unsustainable in much of the UK.
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InfraVM O2–Openreach twist puts CMA fibre assumptions under pressure
Virgin Media O2 is reportedly preparing to shelve its cable-to-fibre upgrade in favour of turning to an Openreach wholesale deal for off-net expansion, cutting capital requirements while dealing a significant blow to the competitive assumptions underpinning the CMA’s nexfibre-Netomnia review.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: nexfibre ups CMA pressure, UK infra ambitions reined
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including a CMA spanner in nexfibre‑Netomnia works, BT buying TalkTalk for good of nation’s health, CityFibre quietly keeps building, and plenty more…
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OperationsDT boss says ‘shit MVNOs’ are most at risk in era of AI buying
Deep dive: Transatlantic group’s execs say transparency and communications will be key as they ponder disruptive power of AI assistants as analysers and buyers of broadband, mobile and TV retail services — and claim smaller discounters will be at most disadvantage.
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M&Anexfibre refuses to blink as CMA deadline for remedies passes
In-depth: UK fibreco’s owners have refused to offer remedies for the proposed Substantial takeover, challenging the antitrust authority’s view of how competition would develop without the deal and putting pressure on the regulator to reconsider its Ofcom-informed assumptions.
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NetworkVodafone ‘abandons’ open RAN to accelerate UK network upgrade project
One of the industry’s most enthusiastic open RAN advocates has walked away from open RAN in the UK, with Chief Network Officer Andrea Donà arguing that regulatory obligations and technology readiness left the operator little choice.
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M&ATalkTalk: BT takes the spoils, private equity takes a bath
In-Depth Analysis: The collapse and swift sale of TalkTalk has thrust BT into an unprecedented role as self-appointed industry saviour, ‘safeguarding’ millions of customers while attracting scrutiny from regulators, rivals, and policymakers — and highlighting the shortcomings of TalkTalk’s brief private equity ownership.
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M&ACMA flags substantial competition concerns as nexfibre/Netomnia dealt major blow
In-depth: The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority has delivered a significant setback to nexfibre’s proposed acquisition of Netomnia owner Substantial Group, arguing the deal would materially weaken competition in wholesale broadband markets.
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M&ABT: ‘national champion’ initiates saviour-mode for TalkTalk rescue
‘National champion’ is reportedly preparing to swoop on forlorn TalkTalk as vultures circle overhead, exploring whether its age-old national-interest argument retains traction to mop up millions of stranded subscribers, many already with Openreach, should growing fears materialise that the top-five ISP is running out of financial runway.
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Analyst BriefingBTwatch: focus on the fibre end-game
Analyst Briefing: Openreach arrived at Connected Britain as the industry’s favourite antagonist, but its leadership remained firmly focused on two objectives: finishing the UK’s full-fibre rollout and accelerating the retirement of the copper network. More from BT Business, EE, elsewhere…
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B2BUK fibrecos gasping for air as Openreach discounts ‘take oxygen out of the system’
In-depth: Openreach’s wholesale discounting strategy has become the latest battleground in the UK fibre wars, with altnet leaders urging Ofcom to intervene more aggressively while the incumbent insists it is simply competing on price.
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M&AUK: industry braced as nexfibre–Netomnia deal becomes referendum for fibre’s future
In-depth: £2bn deal dominated the keynote stage at Connected Britain, with rival executives abandoning diplomatic language and openly clashing ahead of a competition ruling that could determine shape of UK fibre’s next phase.
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NetworkOfcom prepares ground for Openreach leap away from copper in 2029
Ofcom’s latest copper deregulation framework gives Openreach a clearer path towards retiring its legacy network, with up to half eligible within three years, but difficult questions remain over the final 10% of premises.
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Partnerships & AlliancesEuropean telcos change course on D2D after licence rethink
Reports raise prospect of a new D2D platform that could provide a European alternative for next-gen services, with telcos said to be eyeing a slice of 2GHz MSS spectrum under contentious new EU allocation plan.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: G.Network sees revival, Gamma goes private, Voneus nabs Airband
Analyst Briefing: analysis of the altnet cost base, Voneus’ swoop for a rural peer, Gamma buyers promise a long‑term view on business development, and plenty more…
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Analyst BriefingBTwatch: fibre dividend emerges, Ofcom bares teeth on promos
Analyst Briefing: stubborn numbers but signs of things to come as BT’s Q1s leave the Group on track for near- and mid-term guidance; Openreach knocked back as Ofcom moves to block pricing change; and TelcoTitans considers the implications for the Group of a new UK Prime Minister…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: Ofcom curbs Openreach as CityFibre prepares for M&A push
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including Andy Burnham’s “act of self‑harm” on connectivity infrastructure, Ofcom finally gets tough on Openreach promotions, CityFibre funders respond to nexfibre/Netomnia reverberations, and plenty more…
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NetworkOfcom wields TAR in move to block Openreach fibre discounts
For the first time, the regulator intends to direct Openreach to withdraw proposed new fibre customer pricing, citing an ‘unfair’ and ‘aggressive’ approach from the incumbent. Ofcom puts the Telecoms Access Review into action, altnets welcome the move, and Openreach accuses the regulator of protecting rivals’ “poor business models”. Final decision pending…
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Deep DiveStarter for No 10: the key digital infra demands awaiting the UK’s new Prime Minister
Deep dive: Andy Burnham built his political reputation around regional growth in Manchester. Digital infra leaders now want to know whether those principles will translate into a coherent national strategy for fibre, mobile networks, data centres, and digital infrastructure investment, as the industry enters a pivotal moment…
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Public AffairsVirgin Media O2 hit with £28m fine over contract cancellation failings
UK watchdog issues “largest ever fine” under consumer protection rules after finding that VM O2’s ‘two-tier’ agents system and tactics served to delay or prevent customer switching. Fine comes after operator has invested in significant user experience improvements, following separate pushback over consumer practices…