UK Infra
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Network & InfraUK scopes out satellite partners for ESN backhaul
The UK Space Agency is seeking players in the non-terrestrial networks sector willing to explore potential integration of satellite solutions into the Emergency Services Network, moving on previously stated ambitions to bring more satcos into the project…
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PeopleUK small cell player Ontix appoints fresh CEO
Chris Newall joins neutral host and small cell business as CEO, seeking to accelerate rollout of the provider’s wireless infra solutions…
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Network & InfraUK AI council looks north as energy demand set to soar — but connectivity an afterthought
Initial meetings of the government’s AI Energy Council see predictions of surging energy demand and challenges in ensuring existing infrastructure is up to the job, but connectivity requirements appear sidelined with fibre operators asbent…
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B2BZen enters ‘next phase’ of B2B with new leadership, evolving strategy
Ex-TalkTalk Business exec Jon Nowell steps in to lead Zen Business with a mission to disrupt, urges UK enterprises to reconsider status quo.
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Network & InfraUK takes step closer to D2D satellite services go-live
Regulator Ofcom to launch a framework that will permit direct-to-device satellite services next year, using BT, VodafoneThree, and Virgin Media O2 spectrum.
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Partnerships & AlliancesNetomnia forays off-net with Openreach tie-up, lures new debt investors
UK altnet to add 1.5 million premises to footprint as it seeks to attract fresh customers and reduce churn through wholesale tie-up with the nation’s incumbent provider. Coincides with new investors and long-term backers completing debt raise with a £140m boost.
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Public AffairsOpenreach lobbies for regulatory flexibility as fibrecos take market share, struggle with debt
Openreach’s regulatory lead is twisting Ofcom’s arm to give it pricing freedom in regions where it faces two rivals. VM O2 and CityFibre contend that a firm hand is required to protect still fragile competition. While altnets are winning market share, their lenders are nervous…
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Partnerships & AlliancesVirgin Media O2 smartens up fibre rollout with IQGeo and Deepomatic combo
As IQGeo completed an acquisition of Deepomatic earlier this month, Virgin Media O2 emerged as one of the first operators to use their combined geospatial software and computer vision software tools to speed its fibre rollout.
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Network & InfraGoFibre closes £125m funding round to boost Scottish fibre build
Altnet secures additional financing from the Scottish National Investment Bank and Hamburg Commercial Bank, with aspiration to reach additional Scottish premises while supporting ongoing Project Gigabit build. Read more…
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Products & ServicesUK’s One Touch Switch accelerates to 1.5 million, preps B2B extension
Eleven months in, TOTSCo now switching around 5k broadband consumers daily with more to come, as BT and VM O2 trial new B2B capability, and Netomnia’s Chelot steps down from board…
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B2BNetomnia enters UK fibre wholesale fray with new platform — starting with B2B
Altnet’s platform joins increasingly crowded and competitive wholesale marketplace, emphasising streamlining, top-four fibreco scale credentials, and 50G future-proofing. Dark fibre, too…
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Network & InfraCityFibre CTO charts course for next-gen PON, phased M&A integration
David Tomalin envisages 50G or 100G upgrade in early- to mid-2030s, with rapid customer rollout — within long-term “rolling plan” for network architecture that factors in role as market consolidator. Read more…
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Network & InfraKCOM bows to pressure, launches PIA to end Hull’s ‘Pole Wars’
Better later than never: Hull incumbent debuts Physical Infrastructure Access wholesale infra product fourteen years behind Openreach, giving rivals Connexin and MS3 long-coveted access to assets for fibre rollout…
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Consumer (B2C)WightFibre focuses on demographics and experience as local market matures
CEO John Irvine identifies key demographics where converged legacy players may still hold sway, although bonds are loosening…
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PeopleUnder pressure KCOM loses CEO
Tim Shaw set to depart after three-year stint, exiting amid reports that Hull incumbent is gearing up for talks over mounting debt as it continues fibre expansion and migration programmes…
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Financial & PerformanceTalkTalk bags £100m in latest financial restructuring
Troubled UK provider raises £100m as part of wider financing deal, reportedly providing short-term relief on debt struggles…
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Financial & PerformanceQ1 FY25–26: Openreach fibre machine keeps rolling
Access services business keeping up its relentless build pace, while connections are soaring. UK fibre’s pre-eminent multi-tasker shows build can be accelerated alongside strong take-up, but broadband losses continue to mount in the meantime…
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Financial & PerformanceGrain snags £225m funding as Equitix recommits
Nearly half a billion pounds in total funding now unlocked to fuel one of the UK’s largest and most intriguing low-cost fibre builds, with Equitix re-upping investment alongside bigger funders…
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Network & InfraTAR 2026: altnets, Openreach rail against ‘puzzling’ regulatory misstep
In a rare show of alignment, Ofcom’s Telecoms Access Review re-zoning proposals get a sledging from altnets and the incumbent as the UK’s fibre industry unites to vent frustration at potential regulatory framework update…
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Network & InfraUK’s GoFibre bags £105m in Scottish fibre deal
Altnet scores another round of subsidies to install fibre to additional premises in rural Scotland. Award is the third for Scotland from Project Gigabit, as Building Digital UK seeks to hand out more contracts in the country after a slow start (when compared to England and Wales)…