- Telcos
- Suppliers
- Regions
- Technology
- Deals
- People
- Events
- Register
Get access to more exclusive telco content
Register now for free. It only takes a minute and you'll get access to several premium articles per month plus regular customised newsletters to stay up to date with all the latest telco insight.
Register Now
For full, unlimited access to in-depth news, insight and analysis, become a TelcoTitans member today.
Telecoms News UK
Innovation (R&D)
O2 joins call for UK to step up self-driving tests
O2 UK, Cisco, and partners recommended a UK cyber test facility for connected and autonomous vehicles, complete with allocated spectrum and a core and fibre backbone.
M&AEU court ruling could revive network consolidation
Commission found to have been wrong to block O2 and Three merger, based on commitment to upholding four-player mobile markets in larger countries. While not yet final, the court’s decision may fire the starting pistol for a renewed wave of consolidation among telcos struggling to manage competition.
- Innovation (R&D)
Operators prep for 5G reality with Qualcomm
Qualcomm’s OEM certification programme expected to enable establishment of a new XR device category. European operators predict performance and sports content rights can be leveraged to create popular new applications that will showcase 5G’s worth.
- Suppliers & SCM
Altran expands Vodafone 5G links
Vendor flags further 5G engagement with Vodafone, building on existing projects in Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
- Financial & Performance
Big Four providing a solid foundation
‘Show me the money’ the key message in Spain. Positivity in Germany and UK. Brazil trading up. LatAm carve-out progressing.
- Suppliers & SCM
Ciena trumpets IP migration deal with O2
O2 UK opts for Ciena to migrate legacy time TDM infrastructure and traffic to an adaptive IP network. Operator set to also add network automation capabilities, utilising elements of the Ciena Services portfolio.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Telcos see more cooperative post-crisis industry
Home‑working creating a permanent new need for stronger networks covering the UK’s homes, and potential for collaboration to deliver it. Industry cooperation seen as having played a key role in the robust management of changing demands on national infrastructure sparked by lockdown.
- Products & Services
Vodafone’s Secure Net ‘passes 20 million mark’
Flagship One More Service offering continues to expand base
- Operations
O2 offloads lease handling to GCW
OB continues strategic overhaul of UK high street presence, with a “small number” of stores already on the market.
- People
Telefónica Europe people movements, May 2020
Changes across O2 UK and MVNOs giffgaff and Tesco Mobile. O2 Germany brought in VW’s Langendorf as Head of Communications.
- People
Telefónica Alumni people movements, May 2020
Former Telefónica Ireland Director Paul Farrell gets spot at Virgin Media Television.
- Analysis
Telefónicawatch roundup - May 2020
Developments from across Telefónica Group entities. TBS taps ST Engineering iDirect for further hub; former contect centre subsidiary Atento flags waning ties to Group; Group becomes inaugural member of GSMA’s 5G IoT for Manufacturing Forum.
- Network & Infrastructure
Virgin Media builds backhaul business before O2 tie up
Virgin Media positioning itself as a BT backhaul alternative, but appeal may be curbed by O2 links.
- Network & Infrastructure
O2 signals legal move over 5G auction
Operating business remains vexed by how Ofcom has structured mid-band licence sell-off.
- People
Swantee lands at Warburg Pincus
Former EE and Sunrise CEO Swantee picked up by Warburg Pincus, conveniently timed as Swiss cable operator UPC looks for buyer. Exec joins a slew of ex-telco CxOs with private equity advisory roles.
- M&A
O2 and VM: cash in the attic and a new shop front
While building a strong UK competitor is the headline motivation behind the plan to merge O2 UK and Virgin Media, for Telefónica the deal is a shining opportunity to get its Group finances in order. Structure of the JV suggests a key opening for Telefónica to bring its strong ...
- Financial & Performance
BT Q4/FY19–20 results first-take: Fixed and 5G leadership at all cost
Refusing to relinquish fixed-line or mobile leadership; not alarmed by O2-Virgin Media combination. Q4 and FY19–20 performance largely ignored (was on track). Cautiously positive on weathering COVID-19 crisis, but great uncertainty. Capex rising to fund uprated fibre ambition and Technology-led transformation — carts before horses? Yet more cost-cutting (or ...
- Partnerships & Alliances
Exclusive Networks partners with Tomorrow Street
Exclusive taps Tomorrow Street for disruptive tech and offers scale and business support in return. Deal looks a possible change-of-tack at Luxembourg venture.
- Network & Infrastructure
Virgin Media pressuring BT on mobile backhaul
Key BT wholesale rival is on the front foot as mobile operators shop around for 5G backhaul.
- Network & Infrastructure
European spectrum lag adds to 5G uncertainty
Ongoing delays to auctions are complicating operators’ spend planning, and are not necessarily just down to COVID‑19.
- Partnerships & Alliances
BT, WM5G continue to push 5G healthcare tests
Regional 5G consortium highlighted the urgency of 5G deployment in the UK’s healthcare system for improved capacity and efficiency. BT Enterprise CTIO Fotis Karonis redoubles support of 5G-enabled healthcare.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone partners Digital Barriers on COVID-19 checks
UK enterprise customers able to deploy £1,700 solution for 100 readings per minute. Tie-up with Tomorrow Street partner Digital Barriers expands existing collaboration in the UK.
