All Openreach articles
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Digital Voice switchover on track despite delays
CEO Jansen confident in operator’s ability to rectify problems in analogue‑to‑digital switchover.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT makes steady progress on broadband USO
Latest update shows 4,600 premises connected, with thousands more in the works. Excessive costs remain a problem for rural premises despite Ofcom intervention.
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Financial & Performance
BT FY21–22: foundations in place, but cracks widening
CEO Jansen calls in fibre favours from Openreach to offer positive spin on results mixed bag.
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Network & Infrastructure
Subsea rollout for 15 Scottish islands ramps up
BT partner Global Marine to start deployment of 16 subsea cables from May. Initial survey work completed last year by Fugro and OceanIQ.
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Network & Infrastructure
Funding keeps flowing for UK full-fibre altnets
Investor appetite still strong for UK’s busy fibre build scene. Altnets swell ranks to 100 and counting, some start to snap up rivals. Old guard Openreach keeps ahead of the pack with seven million premises passed for full-fibre rollout.
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People
Latest BT people moves: Gastey leads Global Manufacturing
José Gastey named MD for new Global Manufacturing function, combining several industry verticals. BT’s divisional General Counsels swapped as Canham exits, Beckenbridge pivots, and Langlands moves. Better Workplace management tweaked as fit‑out contracts awarded.
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Network & Infrastructure
Scottish gov working with Openreach to accelerate R100
R100 project, backed by devolved Scottish government, connects only tiny fraction of targeted premises with superfast broadband. Subsea infrastructure on track to hit rollout deadline, but wider R100 programme facing delays. Scottish government “actively engaging” with Openreach to accelerate rollout; acknowledges (again) that R100 is “hugely challenging”.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: Arson takes out 7,400 connections
Arson attack in Kent knocks out 7,400 connections; Openreach set to launch Advanced Install pilot for complex jobs.
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Public Affairs
eir takes BT to court for NI public sector bid
Irish incumbent seeks compensation for long‑running dispute regarding NI PSSN contract. Public sector IT services deal, won by BT in 2018, said to be worth up to £400m.
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Public Affairs
Industrial action inbound as union rejects biggest BT pay rise in 20 years
Communication Workers Union rebuffs improved offer of a £1,500 flat rise for 58,000 employees. Union states it will take BT’s management “to a place they’ve never been before” as it prepares for a statutory industrial action ballot. BT believes its rates “compare well” against competitors.
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Public Affairs
“Insulting” pay bump rejected as BT faces fresh union battle
Communication Workers Union refuses £1,200 flat rise, demanding a 10% increase. States BT has a “clear choice” between prioritising shareholders or workers. Union threatens to begin statutory industrial action ballot.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Allera: “we got it wrong” on digital switch‑over
BT Consumer CEO Marc Allera hits pause on Digital Voice rollout amid public backlash about impact on elderly and vulnerable customers. Analogue‑to‑digital migration set to continue for those that want it, while BT deploys safeguards to assure concerned customers.
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People
ISS UK&I CEO to drop Openreach Non‑Exec role
Liz Benison departs to focus on regional CEO role at Openreach partner ISS. Ceeney named as her replacement and will take the role in May.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: Viavi signed up to test fibre network
Openreach partners Viavi to provide end users with “speedometer” for full‑fibre speeds; joins Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
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People
Openreach to create 4,000 jobs, aims for more diversity
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates upper hand. BT and Openreach, as well as Virgin Media O2, tout apprenticeship plans. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male‑dominated roles.
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Corporate
Openreach’s Selley in the dark about Drahi’s aims
Openreach CEO has met the Altice UK owner several times over the years. Selley sees BT as a “very good owner” that has the UK government’s ear.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Group: BT in VM O2’s sights
VM O2 issues veiled threat to BT incumbency; legal proceedings continue in alleged overcharging case.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach hits pause on community fibre programme
Fibre Community Partnership initiative now closed to new registrations as demand soars. Books will reopen once the backlog is cleared. Openreach claims “extreme” popularity as FCP reached 2,050 communities.
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Network & Infrastructure
“Huge volume of work ahead”: Openreach details storm recovery efforts
Eunice and Franklin repairs ongoing, but still almost 20,000 Openreach customers unable to access broadband. “Vast majority” down to power outages. About 100 Openreach poles damaged alongside 300 green roadside cabinets.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
