All Public Affairs articles – Page 24
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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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PremiumAGCM initiates probe into BT Italia divestment
Italy’s competition watchdog examining ins and outs of BT’s deal with TIM. Concern from competitors as TIM seeks to consolidate market position. BT to retain a presence in the country whatever the outcome.
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Public AffairsNational court backs Telefónica over Canal+ deal
Audiencia Nacional rejects claims made by Vodafone Spain and others that 2015 DTS acquisition impedes competition. Expresses confidence in regulator CMMC to monitor pay TV market.
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M&AVM-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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Public AffairsBT re-enters union talks, with strike action looming large
BT gets “serious” in negotiations with CWU and is said to have halted redundancies — for now. Union looking to secure assurances on job security for “all” members. Proposed ballot to go ahead in early-June if talks come to nothing.
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Public AffairsSees.ai gets all-clear for BVLOS drone flights
VfUK drone partner achieves UK-first permission. Tests to be carried out at three nominated sites. OpCo flags separate drone trial collaboration with Ericsson and Lidar tech for remote cell site inspections.
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Innovation (R&D)UK access to Horizon Europe unclear
Government offers to pay some of the costs, but not all, to access EU’s Horizon Europe scientific funding initiative. The successor to Horizon 2020, which BT has tapped into, Horizon Europe has an R&D budget of €95.5bn.
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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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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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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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Public AffairsTelefónica softens Millicom litigation demands
Millicom calls to dismiss legal case ruled out by Supreme Court. Telefónica dampens demands to instead seek damages. Litigation remains in motion.
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Public AffairsVivo in CADE firing line for cartel foul play
Brazilian consortium of Claro, Oi, and Vivo may face fines for alleged cartel practices relating to a 2015 broadband services tender. BT Brasil on the receiving end of supposed competition violations.
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Public AffairsVodafone, Fastweb file lawsuits against TIM
Operators seek combined €1.1bn in damages, with incumbent accused of anti-competitive behaviour. Complaints follow AGCM investigation. TIM preparing “solid” defence on all fronts, with prospective merger partner Open Fiber weighing in too.
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Public AffairsEC quietly drops Ziggo Sport probe
Antitrust investigation that sparked EC’s 2018 office raid closed down, with little revealed regarding what was behind it.
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PeopleCheshire puts hat in the ring for BT chair job
Current BT non-exec seeking to buck the trend and encourage Group to look internally for du Plessis replacement. Cheshire brings considerable experience and strong political links, but may lack the skills needed for future battles.
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PeopleTeoh throws in the towel at TPG Telecom
Investors spooked by unexpected resignation of TPG Chairman, cutting share-price by nearly 7%. Billionaire businessman Teoh vague about reasons for departure. Son Shane resigns from board as Non-Executive Director.
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PeopleBT Regulatory Affairs lead Cathryn Ross sets sail
Regulatory Affairs Director and Executive Committee member Ross’s departure announced a week after Ofcom market review job-done. Set to take newly-created Strategy & Regulatory Affairs role at Thames Water.
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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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Products & ServicesUpstart Airtel rouses Vodafone Spain’s ire
New Spanish service provider revives Airtel brand after Vodafone Spain let trademark expire. VfS demands company stop using the brand.