All Ofcom articles – Page 11
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
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PremiumAltnets object to Openreach FTTP price proposal
Regulatory spat over wholesale FTTP pricing spills out into the open. Openreach says new prices offer certainty and encourage FTTP take-up. Fibre rivals claim the cheaper wholesale pricing scheme will reduce infrastructure competition and deter investment. Ofcom provisionally says no action needed, but final decision is expected by the ...
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: FTTP circuit charges increase
Charge increases for FTTP circuits; investigation into BT’s USO compliance suspended; FTTP rollout in Scottish Highlands prompts disquiet.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced launches
BT and friends enter electric vehicle endeavour; BT Sourced opens its doors.
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Network & InfrastructureLopsided Scottish 4G project shows MNO divergence
After slow start, S4GI scheme now a third of the way towards meeting 2023 site rollout target. But EE remains dominant player, with site activation pipeline more than seven times as large as that of its three rivals. Signs SRN could be shunting S4GI down other MNOs’ priority lists. ...
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PremiumBT doubles down against overcharging allegations
Group intends to “vigorously defend” itself against a class action lodged with competition authorities that alleges historic overcharging for voiceonly customers.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach; expanded FTTP rollout
Openreach expands FTTP rollout, and expands cablelaying contracts to support the plans.
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Network & InfrastructureJansen 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 & ChangeVM 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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Public AffairsNI report criticises past public broadband projects
Audit Office report cannot verify that two broadband projects “achieved value for money”. High service take-up rates suggest not all public funding was needed. NI expected to claw back £14m of public funds from BT. Hopes for £165m Project Stratum to deliver better outcome for rural broadband.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: Ciena flags optical kit win
Ciena gains an optical kit win; progress update on USO; copper stop-sell orders issued in further 77 exchanges.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: Ofcom report sheet comes in
Ofcom highlights areas-for-improvement (and differentiation) in customer service; BT Sport continues search for innovative partners.
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Network & InfrastructureO2 deal with Vodafone to supplement spectrum gains
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with O2 trading blocks with Vodafone, while BT opts to buy preferable positions outright. O2–Vodafone trade ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach doubles rural fibre targets
Infrastructure business targets six million premises passed with full-fibre by 2025, aided by recruitment drive and enhanced investment. 4.8 million total premises passed so far, but no word on rural progress. Collaboration with government and fellow builders key to hitting goals.
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PremiumVodafone ties with O2 to tidy up mid-band spectrum
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with Vodafone trading blocks with O2, while BT opted to buy preferable positions outright. Vodafone–O2 swap ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: Better Workplace updates
4-3-3 update; Belfast office set for refurbishment; and Ofcom chair position remains open.
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Network & InfrastructureEE spins up spectrum to further 5G ambitions
New licences put to use minutes after being issued, in partnership with Nokia. BT pays an additional £23m after initial low-ball auction, but Group still bagged “an excellent price”, says Consumer CEO Marc Allera. EE open to future spectrum trades as O2 and Vodafone sign their own deal.
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PremiumO2 UK secures more 5G spectrum
Ofcom raises a total of £1.4bn in principal auction stage — several hundred million pounds less than expectations. Regulator has now opened the first phase of negotiation period that should enable operators to build contiguous blocks in the 3.4GHz–3.8GHz band. Lower spend on licences (so far) should provide an ...
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PremiumVodafone UK secures mid-band 5G spectrum
OpCo decides against buying low-band airwaves as it intends to refarm 900MHz for 5G. Total amount raised is below expectations, indicating lack of appetite among operators for bidding war.
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PremiumEE gets a bargain as operators low-ball 5G auction
Ofcom raises a total of £1.4bn in principal auction stage — several hundred million pounds less than expectations. Regulator has now opened the first phase of the negotiation period that should enable operators to build a contiguous block in the 3.4GHz–3.8GHz band. Lower spend on licences (so far) should ...