More Latest Insight – Page 244
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Innovation (R&D)BT wants SIM-fitted drones as standard
Head of BT’s Drone Solutions keen on developing out-of-the-box SIM card solution. Telco wants Project Xcelerate to showcase EE network’s suitability for BVLOS flights. Scaling drone-flight volumes in BVLOS environment a pressing challenge. Collaboration with US-based TEOCO in the pipeline to optimise flightpaths.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Vip Mobile adopts A1 marque; MTS partners Ericsson on 5G lab
Developments from around Vodafone’s soft-power network; A1 Telekom’s Serbian unit adopts A1 marque; MTS partners Ericsson on 5G lab.
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Suppliers & SCMRest of BT contact centres to adopt NICE tech
BT deploys solutions from longstanding partner across “additional lines of business” to optimise processes and boost customer retention.
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Network & InfrastructureBT completes EE Digital Platform Services migration
Multiple EE services now based in Kubernetes-powered environment. New system “more flexible and ultimately cheaper”.
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Suppliers & SCMBT taps Blackbird for in-cloud video editing
Content operations team to adopt new editing software, with Group seemingly keen to retain some form of remote working model post-COVID-19. Blackbird CEO says BT’s green credentials chime with its own. Eleven Sports and Liverpool Football Club join BT in vendor’s expanding client ecosystem.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT buys in to Enjoy personal service
“Commerce-at-home” service provider earns four-year contract renewal. BT now an investor in the company as it weighs up a SPAC-delivered listing.
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PremiumSTL picked as Openreach fibre cable partner
STL cables expected to help simplify fibre deployment, while making the most of existing infrastructure. Environmental benefits of vendor solution referenced as focus on green network maintained.
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PremiumBT Cloud Work seeks to allay Zoom security concerns
BT Enterprise cloud communications offering from RingCentral uses Zoom technology for video conferencing. Zoom’s widely publicised security incidents might put off business customers, but BT assures that its platform is designed to avoid such risks.
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PremiumBT “disappointed” as government tweaks voucher scheme
Government kicks off first phase of £1.2bn Project Gigabit. £210m for rural voucher scheme, but fewer communities are eligible; £110m for connecting rural doctors’ surgeries, libraries, and schools. DCMS Delivery Plan suggests considerable uncertainty on most effective way to target government spending.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: O2-VM gets provisional nod
BT remains neutral as CMA clears Virgin Media–O2 deal.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: Extreme E rights nabbed
BT Sport takes racing rights and targets Ashes renewal.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Technology: BT, Telefónica plot edge pilot
BT and Telefónica prove edge compatibility; Ericsson and BT deliver 5G VR testing for Hyperbat.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: R100 gets prepped in Highlands & Islands
Openreach readies for Scottish R100 subsea surveys; wholesale price increases take effect.
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Public AffairsDeutsche Telekom’s EAN is legal — ECJ
DT partner Inmarsat welcomes European Court of Justice ruling and decries drawn-out legal spat. Ruling “provides certainty” to existing EAN users and opens door to new customer alliances. ECJ guidance to be heard in pending cases, but national courts have final say.
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Strategy & ChangeSelley “driving two trains” as fibre provisioning speeds up
Increasing Openreach resources are being funnelled towards ensuring customers are connected to full fibre — and revenue keeps coming in — while the rollout builds momentum. No firm date set to reach 20 million homes target, but annual goals to be flagged. As competition builds among fibre altnets, Openreach ...
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M&Ahubraum-backed Flexperto sold to RGI
The software provider, one of hubraum’s first investments, is acquired by insurance tech specialist RGI Group. Communications SaaS provider Flexperto claims to have seen significant growth during lockdowns.
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Public AffairsVodafone Germany braces for cable rule changes
New law could end bundling cable TV with housing association rental fees. VfD could lose two million subscribers, estimates Jefferies.
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PeopleÁlvarez-Pallete hails Spanish leadership in digital revolution
Telefónica Executive Chairman says Spain is in a “leadership position” in digitisation, but requires a new “framework” to take full advantage. Data underlined as paramount, with a ‘social contract’ needed to ensure privacy and fair valuation.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom: deadline for Ethiopia entry bid pushed back (again)
ECA grants Kenyan operator and other interested parties more time to consider ins and outs of Ethiopian expansion. Deadline revised for the second time in as many months. Laws blocking Safaricom from operating fintech service in country remain in place (for now).
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InterviewVishal Dixit: MVNOs are vital to Vodafone UK growth
Conversations with potential UK MVNO partners are “in the double digits”. Asda Mobile and Virgin Media deals exemplify OpCo’s new approach to MVNO partnerships. OpCo moving away from a ‘computer says no’ approach to MVNOs.