Openreach
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Strategy & ChangeJansen floats potential for Openreach stake sale
“Open‑minded” Jansen may see an Openreach stake sale as a way to relieve pressure on investor demands for a quicker transformation. While CEO’s tone more positive on an asset sale, the challenges of extricating elements of the Group for a sell‑off may limit options.
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Strategy & Change
CWU plots against BT transformation plans
Union’s Bonfire Night declaration promises fireworks as BT attempts to simplify processes linked to redundancies. BT management under opposing pressure from investors to move more quickly to reduce headcount.
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Financial & Performance
BT spend: opex coming down, capex still building to peak
Simplified systems are bringing efficiency but lower trading giving an unwanted helping hand. Capex rising, but a sharp decline is anticipated with copper switch‑off.
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Financial & Performance
BT guidance: EBITDA recovery on horizon, sales rise fainter
Two more years of revenue decline ahead, but EBITDA improving and underpinning investment plans.
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Financial & Performance
Openreach fibre thrives but volume deal prospects fade
A strong quarter and half-year for the access services business demonstrates building momentum for fibre services in the face of the pandemic. Anticipated long‑term volume deals may not materialise, but associated competitive pressure may help BT arguments on the need for a ‘fair bet’ from Ofcom.
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Public Affairs
TalkTalk stiffens resistance to Openreach network pricing
Alternative network provider is waging an ongoing war with Openreach over wholesale fees.
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Suppliers & SCM
BT partner Toshiba bullish on quantum security (eventually)
Japanese vendor takes long-term view on QKD market, anticipating a hefty 25% share and $3bn revenue by 2030.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: engineers honoured, Welsh targets in sight
Engineers honoured with MBE s; fibre expansions trumpeted in Scotland and Wales; and PSTN switch‑off trudges on.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Group: Swantee eyes wholesale customers
Swantee eyes BT wholesale customers, Pourrat urges EV grants, Group supports new employee saving scheme.
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Strategy & Change
BT’s Jansen plays for time on transformation
Eighteen months into the job, the BT CEO is striving to prove the business is on the right track, with a lower‑key transformation than many expected. Jansen urging staff to adopt a “ lean‑in ” approach with faster decision‑making to accompany systemic change.
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Network & Infrastructure
Mixed results from G.INP tests on ECI cabinets
Openreach withdraws some ECI VDSL lines after ReTx runs into problems. Blame pinned on supplier’s DSLAMs.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: innovation in the crosshairs
Openreach targets innovation, Vodafone launches gigabit services, superfast stymied by capacity gap.
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Suppliers & SCM
New construction deals as FTTP reach extended
Four partners joining Openreach’s old guard as the business begins planning fibre deployments beyond its March 2021 milestone.
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Strategy & Change
Openreach fine as is — Lowth
BT CFO maintains Openreach contribution to the Group is undervalued, but that greater clarity and continued messaging on the progress of the fibre rollout could change perceptions. With all physical network assets tied to the BT pension and Openreach now effectively a services business, any attempt to bring ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Scotland: Openreach full‑fibre plan’s unique challenges
Scotland has hardest to reach rural communities. Increased FTTP activity intensifies competition for skilled engineers. Scottish government pumps funds into rural broadband.
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Public Affairs
TalkTalk takes pot shot at Openreach FTTP pricing
CEO calls for longer-term, discounted full‑fibre wholesale deals. Harrison claims BT’s alleged fears of breaching UK competition rules is “ red herring ”, while incumbent maintains it needs to appease all stakeholders.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT fires another warning shot over fibre roadblocks
Without the right “ policy, legislative and fiscal enablers ”, BT warns full-fibre nationwide coverage will not happen until 2033. Government target for universal coverage of “ Gigabit-capable broadband ” is 2025.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT customer quantum trial underway using commercial product
BT highlights ability to plug QKD into OSA Filter Connect , a commercial WDM-based product provided by Openreach. Extensive commercial deployment of QKD in BT’s metro and core networks still at least five years away, however.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach misses out on NI’s Project Stratum deal — reports
Startup Fibrus reportedly wins contract for Project Stratum. Fibrus shaking up Northern Irish fibre scene with big plans and deep pockets.
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Financial & Performance
Divisional highlights: the value of fibre
Management ready to look at ways to bring out the value of BT’s emerging fibre infrastructure. Beyond the current crisis and recession fears, BT Global advancing down the path to recovery. Sudden freeze of live events underlines the importance of BT Sport to Consumer division financial performance. ...
