All UK government articles – Page 2
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Network & Infrastructure
Virgin Media O2 scrapes past Shared Rural Network waymark… hard work begins now
VM O2 manages to reach interim 4G rural coverage target on deadline day. BT already ahead, Vodafone UK on track, but Three UK yet to confirm progress, with potential penalties from Ofcom looming. Read more…
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Public Affairs
nexfibre joins calls to tighten Openreach infra choker, ensure lasting UK fibre competition
UK fibre wholesaler calls for new and improved regulation to provide platform for altnet competition as attention turns to Ofcom’s next five-year framework. Echoes broad consensus among INCA members that more could be done to limit Openreach dominance, encourage altnet investment…
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Network & Infrastructure
UK government shutters Huawei oversight committee despite continued presence
Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology states that examination of potential risks within Huawei’s equipment by a committee of NCSC and industry cybersecurity experts has ended, and been replaced with “stronger departmental governance arrangements”.
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People
BT switches ESN leadership as part of top-level changes in enterprise portfolio
Faisal Mahomed named Emergency Services Network Director, with Simon Warner his replacement as Director of UK Portfolio Business.
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Content & TV
BT policy chief calls for TV distribution rethink as IP takes hold
Policy & Public Affairs Director Helen Burrows describes current content distribution regulation as insufficient and outmoded, with need to update and reflect change in audience demand.
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Network & Infrastructure
Project Gigabit finally reaches Scotland with first rural fibre tender
UK government fibre build scheme opens procurement process for North East Scotland network, geared towards reaching 68,000 premises. Northern Ireland and Wales contracts in the pipeline, as are larger ‘call-off’ bundled lots that have piqued the interest of larger players…
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Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: African infra in spotlight, Spanish retreat complete
Latest from Vodafone and its partners and interests as Spanish exit completes, Shared Ops leadership adjusted, and climate plans pushed back. In Africa, infra-sharing is on the cards, but Vodacom’s in-progress South African fibre deal faces backlash…
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People
BT Peoplewatch: Data & AI leadership redrawn at BT Digital
Senior swaps include new Data & AI leader after Zoë Webster exits the Group, leaving a legacy of AI adoption and foundations for scaling. BT Business changes include senior shuffles for Central Government accounts, while Openreach opts to leave Corporate Affairs & Brand unfilled after Catherine Colloms departs. Plenty more across the Group…
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Network & Infrastructure
British parliamentarians depart with last swing at ‘unconvincing’ 5G plans
The outgoing Public Accounts Committee’s final report on mobile connectivity portrays government efforts to improve mobile coverage as lacking focus, data, and clear evidence of value.
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Financial & Performance
BT FY23−24 In-depth: focus shifts from build to connections, monetisation
CEO Allison Kirkby tees up mindset shift from fibre build to networks monetisation, driving connections to grow ARPU, leveraging the sweat and spend of previous FYs. For FY23−24, consistently solid performance at Consumer and Openreach makes up for perennially painful Business…
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Financial & Performance
Openreach to invade Project Gigabit, snap up altnet misfires
FY23–24: Closing in on infill Project Gigabit contracts, also eyeing altnet misfires. Line loss the new reality despite strong fibre build and take-up momentum. TelcoTitans BTwatch predicts altnets will step up, not roll over. New CEO Kirkby makes clear Openreach not for sale (yet). Read more…
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Innovation (R&D)
UKTIN: Why collaboration is key to driving investment in R&D for the telecoms sector
OpEd: Jon Hunt, Project Board Member at the UK Telecoms Innovation Network, sees potential easing of M&A regulation in Europe as opening a path for telcos to improve collaboration, R&D and funding efforts on an international scale, including with academia and Big Tech. Read more…
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M&A
Vodafone−Three welcome deal’s security clearance as focus turns to antitrust
UK government green-lights merger (with caveats) after conducting security review, but Vodafone−Three are far from celebrating as the CMA’s investigation steps up a gear and leaves consolidation in doubt…
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Interview
Brace for ‘AI tidal wave’: Kao Data urges UK data centre step change
Next-gen specialist discusses Manchester Data Centre of the North investment sweetspot, need to prep for AI-fuelled tsunami of demand (nowhere in Europe ready). Read more…
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Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: Spain continues stakebuilding; Group gets bogged down with brand legals
Spanish government brings itself level with CriteriaCaixa as Telefónica’s largest shareholder, increasing stake (through SEPI) to 5%. Elsewhere, Group gets to working through ‘huge’ DT brand dispute file dump; Virgin Media O2 taps Starlink for rural connectivity boost; Group seeks to keep closer watch on AI impact…
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Network & Infrastructure
Virgin Media O2 turns to Starlink for UK rural boost
Operator to use low-Earth orbit backhaul in an effort to bolster its rural connectivity, as progress on meeting Shared Rural Network deadlines has lagged…
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Network & Infrastructure
Major players in the frame as Project Gigabit mega-deals come into play
Altnets including Quickline, Wessex and Wildanet pick up BDUK contracts to reach rural homes, but the prospect of cross-regional deals for Openreach and VM O2 appears increasingly likely as another agreed deal is abandoned…
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Network & Infrastructure
DSIT-funded masts go live as UK’s SRN plugs eco-credentials
The Shared Rural Network is gathering steam and tooting its horn as government cash finally begins to flow to remote 4G sites. SRN management are pushing an environmentally friendly purpose, and operators EE and VM O2 are vying to be seen as programme stars.
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Weekly Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: fibre switching ‘hijacked’, Cellnex asset squeeze, CityFibre gets acquisitive
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including Netomnia’s takedown of Openreach and VM O2 on fibre switching delays; Cellnex plans for a future focused on delivering returns; fibre rollout progress in Europe and Latin America; and a potential spark for accelerated altnet consolidation in the UK.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT calls for more public funding to connect UK’s most remote homes
BT shares broadband policy wish list as UK government ponders intervention for 100,000 ultra-rural premises not covered by commercial or public-funded programmes.