Public affairs – Page 15
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Strategy & Change
BT bats away backlash against all-IP switchover
Campaign group withdraws from Digital Voice Advisory Group, claims that it has been “hoodwinked” by BT over promises to safeguard older customers.
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Public Affairs
EU urges action as 2030 digital infra targets are “far from assured”
European Commission calls on EU member states to pick up the pace on digital infra rollout, estimating up to €227bn required to meet 2030 goals.
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Network & Infrastructure
Digital infra slips down UK’s investment priority list
New data from Ipsos and the Global Infrastructure Investor Association shows digital infra is towards the bottom of the UK’s investment priorities.
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Financial & Performance
Magyar Telekom has cheerier FY23 outlook; now expects double-digit growth
Good news on customer sign-ups and spending sees Hungarian incumbent significantly raise full-year sales and earnings forecasts.
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Public Affairs
UK telecoms to follow financial sector with open data requirements
DSIT seeking to cut through confusion of converging connectivity options by requiring operators to share relevant usage data with customers, and potentially third parties.
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M&A
MPs warn of “terrible consequences” of Vodafone–Three “cartel” as security put in merger spotlight
MP disquiet on prospect of Chinese part-ownership of UK’s largest mobile network appears closely tied to union Unite’s ‘dossier’ outlining national security threat, as shadow of Huawei ban looms large.
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Strategy & Change
BT quashes talk of Openreach split
Connected Britain 2023: Howard Watson and Clive Selley say structural separation is not on the agenda; BT focused squarely on driving full-fibre deployment.
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Network & Infrastructure
Magyar Telekom agrees network investment in exchange for tax breaks
MoU with Hungarian state will see outdoor 5G network coverage extended to nearly 99% of population by 2026, up from current 60%.
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Operations
Movistar to close last of its call centres in Spain
Operator initiates restructuring exercise to close four remaining customer contact centres, in the face of falling demand for telephone customer service channel.
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Premium
INCA calls for Openreach breakup
Altnet industry group urges government scrutiny of telecoms regulator, asserting that recent decisions put fibre investment at risk.
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Premium
Openreach provides a square deal for BDUK
No sign of excess returns as government investment provides speed boost for rural areas.
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Premium
Movistar fined yet again for breaching DTS merger terms
Regulator imposes €5m levy on Telefónica for breaking terms of DTS acquisition deal with its exclusive F1 broadcasting agreement with DAZN.
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Network & Infrastructure
Germany’s BNetzA mulls scrapping forthcoming spectrum auction
Agency statement suggests lobbying from operators for less costly way of distributing rights may have come off.
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Public Affairs
UK MPs call for changes to keep Project Gigabit and R100 on track
Ministers criticise “one-size-fits-all” approach of Project Gigabit and R100 broadband subsidy programmes in Parliament.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone–Three merger lobby turns to 5G rollout, NHS rescue
Vodafone–Three lobbying campaign targets 5G SA, MPNs, and the future of the NHS as Chief Networks Officer Andrea Donà issues enterprise customer plea.
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Public Affairs
INCA blasts Ofcom for regulatory failures; calls for Openreach breakup
Altnet industry group urges government scrutiny of telecom regulator, arguing that recent decisions put fibre investment at risk.
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Public Affairs
Spain tweaks 5G funding terms amid competition concerns
Spain introduces province limitations to 5G funding programme after complaints that previous terms favoured Telefónica.
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Public Affairs
BT calls for pro-adoption, principles-based AI regulation
Public Policy Director Daniel Wilson urges UK government to build pro-adoption into its AI approach, lauds pro-innovation building blocks.
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Public Affairs
Spain rallies to defend “strategic” Telefónica
stc’s bid to become Telefónica’s largest shareholder faces tough scrutiny.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT welcomes UK’s reappearance on Horizon
UK companies and researchers can once again participate and lead EU‑backed research projects under the Horizon Europe programme.