All United Kingdom (UK) articles
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Strategy & ChangeDeutsche Telekom targets Sweden and UK in IoT sales push
Two new sales roles to support European growth ambition. DT’s B2B overhaul bears fruit as DT IoT and DTBS work together to expand IoT business. IoT Hub takes longer than expected to launch commercial offerings.
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M&A
BT absorbs Local Business agent Fourfront
Reseller relationship brought in‑house in small transaction. BT says no shift in strategy for SME go-to-market.
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People
Schüler coronated as VM‑O2 CEO
Lutz Schüler, dynamic Virgin Media chief, with a track record at O2 Germany, is to lead the new VM‑O2 joint venture, subject to competition clearance. O2 CFO and experienced merger overseer Patricia Cobian to take on the JV finance role. No room for O2 CEO Mark Evans. ...
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Suppliers & SCM
BT Sourced embarks on buyside disruption
Low-key launch for BT’s “ standalone ” procurement company. Time will tell if greater reliance on digital tools will turn BT Sourced into “ procurement disruptors and trailblazers ”.
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Operations
BT’s revamped Newcastle office set for re-opening
Operator to inaugurate opening of “ o ne of first ” upgraded offices under Better Workplace scheme. “ First phase ” of site redevelopment completed, with h ybrid working practices helping maintain operations in meantime. Gosforth to prioritise employee welfare as a means to boost customer ...
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Strategy & Change
Networks joins Digital division to replace BT Technology
BT Technology was shuttered and replaced by two new divisions: BT Digital and BT Networks. Harmeen Mehta and Howard Watson at the respective helms as BT seeks transformation and modernisation. Fotis Karonis replacement named at BT Enterprise.
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Operations
New East London BT HQ preps for sale
One Braham , soon to be BT’s main office, is reportedly being readied for a £500m sale. BT due to move at the end of the year after leaving 81 Newgate Street.
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Strategy & Change
Openreach cites No 10 lack of clarity as key early COVID test
Initial uncertain status of Openreach workforce deemed biggest challenge when ensuring UK connectivity and worker safety through lockdown. Strong chains of command, coupled with responsiveness to staff concerns, said to frame management response. Fears on return to offices and on‑premises work may prove the biggest challenge. ...
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Public Affairs
Ofcom gives BT fibre pricing freedom, but adds burdens
Openreach not to face caps or controls on national ultrafast pricing until 2031, as long as it is “ fair and reasonable ”. Locally-targeted pricing from Openreach prohibited as Ofcom seeks to protect emerging altnets. BT Consumer may lose some edge from 90 day notice period ...
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Network & Infrastructure
SIRO nudges up premises passed, but still some way off target
Vodafone’s fibre JV in Ireland added 61,000 premises in 2020, taking total up to 360,000. A 450,000 target, slated for 2018, now not expected to be reached until H2 2022. CEO Keaney looks to EU recovery fund to help drive digital Ireland.
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Public Affairs
Threat of BT national strike intensifies
CWU calls on BT member base to back strike action, with further details on proposed ballot in “ coming weeks ”. Group transformation continues to exacerbate already disaffected BT-union relations. Mass walkouts from ‘late-spring’ a possibility. Union and BT share very different relationship perspectives.
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Public Affairs
BT braces as Ofcom fibre ruling looms
Ofcom to set out its fibre vision this week, and while BT may get pricing freedom, it may not get the longer‑term clarity it craves. Regulator’s steps to open up infrastructure competition may also disrupt the incumbent’s plans.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT shines light on AI in the East
Adastral Park R D facility takes centre stage in inaugural Artificial Intelligence Festival. East of England emerges as UK hub for AI research and innovation. BT asserts AI thought leadership and is UK’s top AI patent filer. Group’s use of AI aligns with telco peers, but ...
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People
O2 looks to Mexico for access network leadership
Telefónica Mexico CTIO has replaced O2’s exiting Brendan O’Reilly on CTIL board and is taking a broader network leadership role in the UK. Successfully piloting Movistar Mexico’s customer migration to the AT T access network means incoming Calvo may be able to offer valuable support as Virgin Media/O2 ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach NI fibre plan stirs up Project Stratum
Openreach Northern Ireland on track to exceed FY20–21 full‑fibre target. Overlap emerges with Openreach plan and publicly funded project. NI leads UK with highest full‑fibre availability.
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Public Affairs
BT under fire in long-running NI public sector projects
Northern Ireland Assembly report slams contract extensions awarded to BT Group that cost taxpayers £120m. While civil servants displayed “ indifference ”, BT “ ran rings ” around them.
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Consumer (B2C)
BT going it alone with Shared Rural Network plans
O2, Three, and Vodafone reach agreement to construct more than 220 new 4G masts by 2024, taking partial ‘not‑spot’ coverage to 84% of UK landmass. Sites will cover areas BT/EE already reach, with “ historic investment ” seemingly respected, per Allera’s request. Frozen out of initial announcement, ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
Virgin Media’s foray into 5G signals end of BT era
All Virgin Media subscribers expected to leave BT network by early‑2022. BT highlights “ healthy pipeline ” of new MVNO business opportunities.
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone ups the ante on drone innovation
Dutch, German, and UK trials flag recent progress in autonomous and unmanned flight. Ericsson emerges as important co‑pilot.
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Financial & Performance
Budget 2021: BT benefits but won’t move investment dial
Chancellor Sunak eyes investment‑backed build‑back. Short term tax break to bolster BT infrastructure expansion. However, gains will be “ offset in later years ”, and no movement on BT’s number one priority — business rates relief.
