All United Kingdom (UK) articles
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Public AffairsTalkTalk stiffens resistance to Openreach network pricing
Alternative network provider is waging an ongoing war with Openreach over wholesale fees.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT takes Bristol University ties into quantum realm
BT Group continues to cement ties with UK universities. Quantum research highlighted as focus, with QKD developments on the horizon.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT opens up about Alibaba Cloud ties
Two providers cooperating on international network/cloud services. Alibaba Cloud’s UK cloud service is hosted in a BT data centre.
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Suppliers & SCM
Brexit and COVID: BT’s twin supply chain headaches
Group continuing to scrutinise status of 450 key partners, amid logistical and financial turmoil wrought by pandemic. Spread of critical partners under consideration to create greater resilience post- coronavirus and split from EU. Telcos, traditionally known for squeezing suppliers to the max, now focused on keeping ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Nokia pick points to renewed virtualisation drive
Nokia to become 5G infrastructure top dog as Huawei fades. Virtualisation opportunities abound as BT and Nokia commit to expanding open RAN ecosystem, and imminent developments on the network edge are anticipated.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT fires another warning shot over fibre roadblocks
Without the right “ policy, legislative and fiscal enablers ”, BT warns full-fibre nationwide coverage will not happen until 2033. Government target for universal coverage of “ Gigabit-capable broadband ” is 2025.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT, O2 underpin West Mids 5G transport management projects
BT and O2 involved with projects mapping traffic, congestion, and infrastructure. Other projects focus on passengers, pedestrians, tourists, and parking. WM5G allocates £2.4m to seven project consortia; £2.5m for next round.
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Partnerships & Alliances
O2 supports green initiative in Thames Valley
O2 UK helps fund smart city deployment for greener networks drive. ADEPT’s Live Labs project small‑scale, but with broader ambition.
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M&A
Fries and Álvarez-Pallete: two minds on UK JV
While Telefónica and Liberty said to be on same page on O2–Virgin Media integration, respective chiefs hinted at varying concerns and strategic priorities linked to the progress of the JV.
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People
Former BT leaders split across UK-China divide
Ex‑BT CEO Ian Livingston expected to foster support for challenger vendors as UK transitions from reliance on Huawei equipment. Predecessor Sir Peter Bonfield charged with smoothing relationships between government and Chinese‑funded chipmaker Imagination Technologies. Ex-Chairman Rake has been under fire as Huawei-apologist.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Group: media speculation and hubraum startups
UK media revives the ‘ will they won’t they ’ BT–DT love story
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Network & Infrastructure
UK’s 4G-based Emergency Services Network faces more delays
Airwave unlikely to be switched off until 2024, possibly 2025. EE on track with 4G network.
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M&A
New Three boss snipes at O2–Virgin merger
Finnegan doubtful on merits of O2–Virgin Media deal, but bullish on leading further UK consolidation.
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Strategy & Change
Heathrow operator Ferrovial has 5G on radar
Emerging tower and private network ambitions look to set up the Spanish group as a rival and/or partner of operators and their infrastructure arms.
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Network & Infrastructure
Ofcom plots 5G spectrum auction for early-2021
700MHz and 3.6GHz–3.8GHz frequencies slated to go under hammer in January 2021. Regulator makes some provision to address mid‑band fragmentation fears.
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Strategy & Change
BT sanguine on DT investment in London fibre rival
Minority BT stakeholder Deutsche Telekom adding to its UK interests through an investment in social housing‑focused fibre altnet Community Fibre. Former EE Chief Olaf Swantee to make a UK return as venture’s Chairman. Community Fibre building a business case on sharing Openreach ducts and poles with aim ...
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Analysis
Elsewhere in BT Group: offline training and Newgate revamp
BT gets permission for Newgate Street revamp; restructuring plans hit resistance; Firebrand flagged as training partner for online and offline.
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Enterprise (B2B)
Telefónica creates new unit to target UK security space
Operator is looking to build an international platform for new Telefónica Cibersecurity Tech division. Targeting markets inside and outside its footprint.
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Analysis
Telefónica: Elsewhere in core markets
O2 Banking charge on the horizon. OBs find silver linings in pandemic response.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone moves into standalone mode
Vodafone UK teams up with Ericsson , MediaTek , Oppo, and Qualcomm for the next stage of its 5G network.
