UK
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Public AffairsOfcom eyes ‘problematic’ promotions as access review sets regulatory landscape
Ofcom publishes Telecoms Access Review, setting the scene for the next five years of regulation in the UK’s fast-shifting fibre market. The regulator is not signalling any major change of course, likely pleasing incumbent Openreach. But also looks to be paying more attention to altnet take-up as a litmus of market health, offering a possible helping hand to smaller challengers.
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Strategy & ChangeVIRTUS bets on tier-two Europe in ‘speculative’ data centre expansion
Interview: Macquarie-backed operator VIRTUS Data Centres is accelerating its European ambitions with a speculative build model, targeting tier‑two metros to stay ahead of hyperscaler demand and replicate a tried-and-true campus model. Business Development VP Christina Mertens talks ambition, strategy, and investor backing…
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Network & InfraUK government targets ‘zombie’ data centre speculators in sweeping energy grid overhaul
Tougher requirements proposed for applicants, designed to curb ‘speculative activity’ artificially inflating massive power connection demand on the national grid, led by ever-larger data centres.
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Venturing & InvestmentsUK’s Nscale closes $2bn fundraise to expand data centre platform
AI infrastructure player closes multibillion-dollar financing round to help accelerate its expansion of data centres in Europe and beyond.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: DSIT lays out digital infra priorities; M&A gets real
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: government prioritises infra growth, Netomnia-nexfibre deal formalised, altnet lenders take the reins, and plenty more…
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Network & InfraVM O2 plans ‘mini macro’ sites to boost city bandwidth
MWC26: UK operator has engaged tower companies on buildout of new, lower-footprint site form factor as part of ongoing, £700m-per-year Mobile Transformation Plan…
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M&AUK’s nexfibre goes big, gets Substantial
Deep dive: nexfibre’s planned takeover of Substantial Group, parent of infra rival Netomnia, is the UK’s first billion pound-plus fibre altnet transaction and may open the floodgates to long-anticipated consolidation in the fragmented, scale-hungry sector. Chief Executive Rajiv Datta speaks to TelcoTitans about how the deal boosts its challenge to incumbent Openreach on wholesale fibre.
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PeoplewatchOpenreach ‘joins up’ engineering in latest exec shake-up
Access provider sets up Service Operations team to house all engineering capabilities, bringing rural and run-of-the-mill fibre build, copper maintenance, and civil engineering under one roof. New CX team also launched to improve CP relations…
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Financial & PerformanceEutelsat draws back from ‘shaky’ GEO as LEO surges
Satco limits investment in geostationary satellites to service continuity and instead hedges future on further LEO growth via the OneWeb constellation. GEO business case considered “more and more shaky”, while LEO presents growth opportunity…
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Network & InfraVM O2 inches closer to Starlink mobile services launch
Operator secures Ofcom approval to use existing 1800MHz spectrum for imminent direct-to-device product O2 Satellite.
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Network & InfraProject Gigabit: Wildanet pulls out of contracts amidst rising rollout costs
Wildanet calls off two of its Project Gigabit contracts in Cornwall as delivery costs increase “significantly beyond anticipated”, becoming the latest altnet to withdraw from the government-subsided rollout scheme…
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M&AUK: Freedom Fibre-Truespeed combine as cashed-up consolidator
In-depth: Strongly-backed, M&A-proven duo merging to create scaled, integrated altnet with 400,000+ footprint in England, boasting rare financial headroom in debt-laden sector, and positioned to drive further consolidation (and fill a Netomnia void?)…
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M&AMacquarie looks to advance KCOM sale — report
Investment group said to bring in Perella Weinberg Partners to drive forward a sale of Hull-based telco. Creditors reportedly pushing for a sale, as competitive and financial challenges have put pressure on KCOM…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: CityFibre plans cuts; Netomnia deal nears; AI reaches Smart Cities
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: job cuts at CityFibre, KCOM and TalkTalk join Netomnia on the block, UK MNOs seek support for AI‑capable coverage, and plenty more…
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PeoplewatchNew era: BT, Openreach start ‘next chapter’ with fresh energy, familiar faces
CEO reshuffle in depth: a rising star reaches her zenith as Openreach CEO; a reliable hand gets called in to take BT International into next stage of transformation; and a global B2B boss bows out…
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PeoplewatchCityFibre backer PATRIZIA looks to ‘scale UK platform’
German investment manager brings in Gus Wiseman after a decade leading investor strategy in the UK government.
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Financial & PerformanceBT CEO bullish in face of altnet challenge, Openreach line losses
Q3 FY25–26: Allison Kirkby says BT is biting back amid a fibreco incursion as Openreach passed 21 million premises and tops 38% penetration, but line losses continue to drag and seem to be tempered, not overcome…
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M&Anexfibre set to win race for Netomnia — reports
Deep dive: Liberty/Telefónica‑backed netco said to be finalising a £2bn deal for UK’s #2 altnet, with confirmation as soon as this week… but what does it mean for nexfibre, VM O2, fibre rivals?
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Financial & PerformanceNetomnia joins exclusive list of £100m+ revenue UK fibre altnets
Altnet’s revenue tips into nine figures for FY25, and tops three million RFS premises, to join a trio of other challengers at the top.
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone a “frontrunner” partner as Ericsson seeks new opportunities in “flattish” RAN market
In depth: Upbeat Ericsson management present FY25 earnings complete with organic growth and progress in efficiency programmes. CSPs said to be willing to invest despite muted RAN outlook, as Vodafone namechecked for its ‘physical AI’ groundwork…