All United Kingdom (UK) articles
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS preps Gigabit UK as MPs growl and BT looks ahead
Government finally picking up on election promises of Gigabit connectivity and consulting on how best to spend a more limited budget. Age-old questions remain over how to connect the unconnected, however.
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Financial & Performance
Go-to-market stasis hits Talkmobile numbers
Vodafone UK’s in‑house MVNO yet to report uplift from u‑turn on customer acquisition and implementation of new platform.
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People
CTO O’Reilly exits O2
Brendan O’Reilly appointed Global CTO at infrastructure provider BAI Communications, leaving a gap at the top of O2 UK ahead of its impending Virgin Media merger. BAI hoping to tap O’Reilly’s 5G and network sharing expertise.
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Strategy & Change
BT seeks to electrify procurement with Faraday subsidiary
Managers for strategic procurement categories being recruited, including network, connectivity, and marketing. Data science remains prominent. New subsidiary’s standalone status emphasised, evidencing detachment and perhaps also ambition.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS taking an ‘outside‑in’ approach, but vouchers there for quick wins
Small targeted interventions and mid‑size fill‑ins expected to feature in first swathe of public–private contracts. Mega‑deals not ruled out. Pragmatic use of Public Sector Hubs another option.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS helping England play catch up, or possibly leapfrog
Devolved nations at the back of the queue for new money. Fibre emphasised over cable.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS defends its record as PAC report sees trouble ahead
PAC scathing in review of previous funding plans. Watchdog critical of a lack of planning and joined‑up thinking now. Rural sites seen as at risk of being overlooked in trimmed-down Gigabit programme.
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Network & Infrastructure
A lack of joined up governing
Red tape roadblocks remain in place. Business rates continue to stick in craw of infra players. Double-edged sword on state aid changes.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT and Openreach voices being heard
BT execs appear to be getting message across on need for support. Rivals remain keen to extract more concessions from Openreach on infra access.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen just wants to get on with it
Jansen’s BT more focused on regulatory leeway on build than government handouts. CEO wants closer scrutiny of data and digital‑based services.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Openreach hits FTTP milestone in Cumbria
Connecting Cumbria programme completes Phase Two , nearing regional ‘superfast’ targets. Phase Three on the table to finish the job. Gigabit-capable coverage lags behind for rural premises.
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Content & TV
BT Sport converts rights deal with Premiership Rugby
Group eventually signs £110m three‑year extension after reported disagreements over valuation. BT continues to invest in regional Welsh club rugby with three‑year sponsorship extension.
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Consumer (B2C)
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: EE waives roaming
EE waives EU roaming charges, broadband guarantees personalised, lockdown learning backed.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: 2x usage for 2020
Openreach flexes on network strength after UK broadband usage hits new highs .
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Strategy & Change
BT turns to disruptive AI veteran in pursuit of Ambition 2030
Airtel CIO Harmeen Mehta bringing even greater AI advocacy and a ‘big tech’ frame of mind to BT’s new Digital division. Philip Jansen looking at bigger picture beyond fibre rollout as he sees Group’s future in delivering a UK platform for software‑defined services.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT explores edge to “level up” latency for UK gamers
As BT’s edge strategy evolves, gaming emerges as potential use-case. BT’s Neil McRae shares latest thinking about edge business cases. Consumer edge applications more advanced than enterprise services.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach requests COVID vaccine relief
Direct talks between Openreach and government officials confirmed. COVID‑19 surge halts operations. Openreach seeks to highlight public importance of connectivity.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “ commercialise ” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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People
BT’s Ainley takes Ericsson UK&I top‑spot
Former Ventures MD Katherine Ainley will be CEO for the vendor’s UK and Ireland operations from February. BT Ventures dismantlement nears completion. Ainley to lead Ericsson through key 5G rollouts.
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Consumer (B2C)
Allera makes mark with BT Consumer “turnaround job”
Latest Business Briefing sees Allera stamp his style on Consumer division, striving to bring a premium sheen to a venerable brand. Multi‑play out of fashion and cross‑selling in as BT and EE set to play to strengths. New marketing chief Thrane buying in to Group transformation ...
