All United Kingdom (UK) articles
-
Strategy & ChangeVodafone in the market for London real estate
Reports indicate desire for more office space in London alongside Paddington HQ. Growing software engineering team seemingly looking for desks, with Future Ready hybrid‑working model rolling out in parallel.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Submarine cable vulnerabilities surface
Malicious threats loom, but accidental damage more common. Russian aggression, underwater volcanoes, fishing and anchoring roil subsea cable networks. Difficult to prevent damage, resiliency is best protection.
-
M&A
Vodafone under M&A spotlight in Italy, UK
Group reportedly in consolidation talks with Iliad in Italy. A potential merger with Three UK was also apparently explored. Vodafone keeps head down as rumours swirl. Read keen advocate of European in‑market consolidation.
-
Public Affairs
DCMS told to get a grip on Project Gigabit
“Disappointed” accounts committee frustrated by lack of measurable progress and clear plans for reaching 2025 target of 85% ultrafast coverage. Department blasted for lack of meaningful legislation on removal of barriers to deployment. DCMS still seeking clarity from operators on national rollout plans.
-
Operations
BT and TalkTalk footing the YouView bill as losses mount, Arqiva exits
Latest accounts show the TV platform’s shareholders now down to six, with the two operators keeping the venture afloat. R&D budget remains high at £16m, compared to revenue of just £9m. Telcos remain coy on paying subscribers for their TV services.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone claims 5G open RAN first
Vodafone UK launches 5G open RAN site, building on government‑led open infrastructure ambition. Initial launch leverages partnerships with Capgemini, Dell, Intel, Keysight, Samsung, and Wind River. NEC and Samsung to be used in tandem for 2,500 sites from mid‑2022.
-
Public Affairs
Ofcom details O2 UK ‘carelessness’ in billing investigation
Regulator publishes 74-page document highlighting the extent of O2 UK feet-dragging in its investigation as to why the operator overcharged customers during a seven‑year period. Demands O2 UK review its processes and systems to ensure accuracy and completeness of responses to information requests in future. Restates view that £150,000 ...
-
People
Openreach’s McTighe emerges as frontrunner for Ofcom chair
Mike McTighe, Chairman at Openreach, reportedly on the shortlist to oversee regulator. Drawn‑out search for Lord Burns’ successor sees another BT‑affiliated name on the cards.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: Selley plays down fibre workforce concerns
Selley dampens workforce concerns; copper stop‑sell rollout continues.
-
Public Affairs
Openreach gets good marks for independence
Ofcom monitoring unit warns BT and Openreach to stay vigilant. Stakeholders raise concerns about PIA, defective poles, and lack of clarity on Openreach’s build plans. Equinox pricing offer deemed free from BT influence, as Ofcom defends its approval to Competition Appeal Tribunal in challenge brought by CityFibre.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in UK: VM O2 augments EV fleet
VM O2 augments EV fleet; becomes founding member of National Databank to provide free data to low‑income households.
-
Enterprise (B2B)
Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: BT links up with TIM & Telefónica in Turin
BT Enterprise ties with Italian telcos for connected cars and the University of Hertfordshire for smart city solutions.
-
Strategy & Change
BT focuses energies on health industry
BT ramps up plans with formation of Clinical Advisory Board populated by eight NHS clinicians. Move builds on operator’s sign‑up to Health Tech Alliance and The Kings Fund as part of efforts to expand in the industry through collaboration.
-
Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 completes UK Gigabit rollout
Connectivity now reaches 15.5 million homes. Company to invest further £10bn in next five years.
-
-
Partnerships & Alliances
EE climbs on board with BAI
EE and Three UK become first two operators to sign up for neutral host network. A further key element is enabled for the Emergency Services Network. Motorola Solutions appeals CMA decision to investigate dual role as Airwave and ESN supplier.
-
Consumer (B2C)
EE trudges on with Shared Rural Network progress
46 ‘fresh sites’ delivered under SRN programme. EE to upgrade a further 1,532 sites with 4G by 2024 in ‘partial not‑spot’ phase.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Group: another Newcastle call centre to get refurb
Ericsson meetup for tech team; Second Newcastle call centre set for facelift; Osborne misses out as BT’s M&A chaperone boosts takings.
-
Network & Infrastructure
BT’s McRae sees open RAN potential in tackling ‘not‑spots’
Optimistic about RIC to enable connectivity in hard-to-reach places. Flags work on rural open RAN trial in Wales, with BT as neutral host provider. Restates view that open RAN functionality is more important than lowering costs.
-
Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany completes 3G shutdown in final hours of 2021
O2 Germany closed last 300 3G sites in December. CEO Markus Haas reiterates call for change in spectrum policy. Spain and UK to follow suit with 3G sunsetting.
