Openreach – Page 16
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Network & InfraBT 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.
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Network & InfraOpenreach 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.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Technology: Open Digital Architecture gets tested
BT backing digital architecture commoditisation; data traffic records tumble.
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Network & InfraOpenreach 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.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: Cisco takes IMImobile
Partners Cisco and IMImobile to meld customer comms solutions.
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Public AffairsBT 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.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: job creation takes off
European fibre surge anticipated; Openreach partner folds.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Enterprise: NTT renews wholesale deal
Transatel set to enable more EE features for UK MVNOs; Wholesale claims 5G rollout lead.
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Public AffairsOpenreach Monitoring Unit report card: pass
Monitoring unit warns against complacency in safeguarding strategic independence. Pricing and PIA implementation remain areas of concern.
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Network & InfraGovernment 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.
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PremiumElsewhere 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.
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PremiumBT 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.
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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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PremiumBT 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.
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Strategy & ChangeCWU 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 & PerformanceOpenreach 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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PremiumBT 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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PremiumBT 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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Public AffairsTalkTalk stiffens resistance to Openreach network pricing
Alternative network provider is waging an ongoing war with Openreach over wholesale fees.
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Suppliers & SCMBT 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.