Openreach – Page 15
-
Network & Infrastructure
Ofcom hints at ten-year “fair bet” timeframe for BT
Openreach to be unconstrained on full-fibre pricing until 2031 under proposed plans from the regulator. Jansen claims he would rather have a cap on returns, and more time. Fellow infrastructure builders happy with clarity, but Openreach customer TalkTalk unhappy with impact on wholesale. Regulatory clarity may kickstart discussions on ...
-
Network & Infrastructure
BT calls for alternatives to fibre in rural Wales
Connecting the most challenging premises not viable under the USO. Openreach, backed by government infrastructure committees, wants to look beyond FTTP for gigabit access.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Openreach connects dots in Highlands and Islands
Regional fibre programme reaches its conclusion with targets surpassed. R100 scheme to pick up the baton in 2021 to continue superfast expansion to Scottish hinterlands.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in BT Technology: Open Digital Architecture gets tested
BT backing digital architecture commoditisation; data traffic records tumble.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Openreach consults with CPs on exchange closures
BT infrastructure arm continues prep for shutdown of 4,600 local exchanges. “Exchange evolution” programme may last 20 years, although early-2030s to see most dramatic change. Purchase of copper broadband services now halted in Salisbury.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: Cisco takes IMImobile
Partners Cisco and IMImobile to meld customer comms solutions.
-
Public Affairs
BT could face winter strike action
CWU ups the ante in the Count Me In campaign as employees back what could be the first national strike at BT in decades. New Birmingham office to be first regional hub in Better Workspace programme, but the pandemic is complicating other office searches.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: job creation takes off
European fibre surge anticipated; Openreach partner folds.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: NTT renews wholesale deal
Transatel set to enable more EE features for UK MVNOs; Wholesale claims 5G rollout lead.
-
Public Affairs
Openreach Monitoring Unit report card: pass
Monitoring unit warns against complacency in safeguarding strategic independence. Pricing and PIA implementation remain areas of concern.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Government backpedals on fibre: industry on its own
Improbable goal of universal gigabit coverage abandoned by UK government. £5bn investment plans massively watered down in latest Spending Review. BT critical of retreat. Regulatory environment and sketchy plans for gigabit BDUK could play into Openreach hands.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Openreach: FTTP rollout quickens
Fibrus gets one over Openreach in Northern Ireland; FTTP rollout quickens pace; Openreach engineer hospitalised after attack in April 2020.
-
Premium
BT people moves: Consumer gets new Commercial MD; ex-CEO Patterson takes charity post
Consumer goes shopping at Sainsbury’s for new Commercial boss. Openreach looking to energise data strategy with appointment of new lead. Gavin Patterson takes responsible business chairmanship.
-
Strategy & Change
Jansen 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.
-
Premium
BT people moves: former CEOs take roles elsewhere
Ex-CEOs at BT Germany, Global Solutions, and Ireland appointed in new positions. Leadership change at ex-BT Ventures units. New legal roles across the Group.
-
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
BT guidance: EBITDA recovery on horizon, sales rise fainter
Two more years of revenue decline ahead, but EBITDA improving and underpinning investment plans.
-
Public Affairs
TalkTalk stiffens resistance to Openreach network pricing
Alternative network provider is waging an ongoing war with Openreach over wholesale fees.
-
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.