All Virgin Media articles
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PeopleVM O2 CTO Jeanie York tackles convergence complexity
York opens up on bringing together technology, products, and teams. CTO, CIO, and CDO are separate but collaborate. New Volt converged service is result of squad way of working.
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M&A
VM O2 CEO happy as spectator to BT takeover saga
Lutz Schüler, CEO at Virgin Media O2, said he “thanks God” his business is not distracted by shareholder goings on. Comes after Patrick Drahi expanded his shareholding in VM O2 rival BT. Schüler’s attention fixed on customer experience improvements and fibre rollout.
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Products & Services
Virgin Media O2 plans IPTV service launch
First streaming service offer targeted at young consumers. VM O2 sizes up aggregator opportunity.
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Network & Infrastructure
Liberty sees UK–Dutch tower separation “sooner than later”
CFO says group “not in love with” tower ownership and keen to unlock value. Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneZiggo assets in focus.
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People
Groves comes up inside track to lead VM O2 marketing
Former Tesco Mobile CMO to lead on VM O2 brand and marketing as two prime candidates depart. Veteran Groves set to push for a more holistic approach to customer experience across the merged business.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen now sees BT chasing 30 million premises with full‑fibre
Extra five million presented as ‘infill’ and presumably more rural. Immediate competitive riposte to news of Virgin Media O2 FTTP retrofit, which it neatly doubles. Jansen says BT not concerned, but challenger altnets should be. No rush for fibre JV partner, but Jansen reveals a UK compatriot would be ...
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Strategy & Change
VM O2 preps for wholesale with code powers application
Concerns over securing acceptable commercial terms for key sites on VM O2 network behind request for additional tenancy rights. Code‑based flexibility will simplify the process of enabling wholesale access to sites, while supporting potential network expansion.
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Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 bites bullet and pledges fibre future
A future upgrade of VM O2 fixed infrastructure will see coaxial cable edged out and fibre deployed throughout the operator’s footprint. Switching to XGSPON instead of DOCSIS 4.0 pricy, but manageable within modest budgets and with multiple longer term benefits. Pragmatic approach to fibre is partly driven by the ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Digging the UK fibre scene: competition hots up
Investment funds continue to flood fibre altnets, with emerging challengers collectively committing to passing more than 20 million homes in coming decade and many billions in investment promised.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: Group shells out €20m in fines
Dutch copycat in Ireland ‘ not on cards ’; sustainability front and centre with green network boost; Group shells out €20m in privacy fines .
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People
Telefónica people moves: Prautzsch takes helm at German FibreCo
Telefónica Infra’s fibre JV with Allianz fills out management positions, drawing on Telefónica insiders. Ayucar and Martínez take CTO roles in the Digital Consumer Data Office. Vivo rotates Operations and Wholesale leadership.
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Partnerships & Alliances
UK government hands WAN win to BT
Five‑year, £23m contract signed for network access services to the DWP. BT’s Strategic Supplier standing consolidated.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Group: VM-O2 challenge emerges
Virgin Media O2 challenge gets real; Dundee offices set to take 1,000 staff; government‑backed broadband schemes under the spotlight.
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Venturing & Investments
Shopper tracking startup earns Wayra investment and O2 deal
Wayra UK dials up London-based startup’s already substantial financing. Investment sets the stage for a “ multi-million-pound ” retail partnership with the Group’s UK operator.
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M&A
In detail: Liberty and Telefónica’s VM-O2 pre-nup
Three-year wait expected before a potential IPO of new joint venture, while both parties expected to remain involved in the business for at least five years. Telefónica reserving its right to go it alone in UK on IoT, cloud, and cybersecurity services. Liberty to get a board presence at ...
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Financial & Performance
Q1 FY21: final coronavirus quarter packs a punch
Spain and Germany OBs stabilise as first wave of coronavirus shocks works its way through results. Vivo displaying underlying strength, but currency fluctuations continue to turn positives to negative. With strong returns on falling revenue O2 UK bows out as a ‘core four’ market Hispam edges back ...
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 data centres cool off with fresh air
Data centre upgrade reduces carbon emissions. New fresh air cooling equipment, paired with software from EkkoSense, used to keep data centres cool. “Radical” system supports O2’s pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2025.
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M&A
VM-O2 sets sights on BT as merger gets final clearance
CMA’s final approval should see deal completed by 1 June. Owners trumpeting investment opportunities with fibre InfraCo potential coming to the fore.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT heads to the quantum cloud with Arqit
Group backs QuantumCloud developed by UK startup, which purports to provide QKD security protection to end‑point devices over the cloud. BT named exclusive reseller of Arqit’s products in the UK.
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M&A
Vantage may be set for new Cornerstone allies
Indications that O2 UK’s Cornerstone stake seen as non‑strategic by prospective new co‑parent Liberty Global, and could be jettisoned in name of post‑merger “ national champion ” plan. Sale would raise cash for higher strategic ambition of fibre expansion. Liberty’s Fries shows willingness to get hands‑on in ...
