UK Infra – Page 15
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PremiumBT flags hollow core fibre trial with Lumenisity, Mavenir
BT optical networks guru Lord hails technology as “truly remarkable”, but large-scale deployments unlikely anytime soon. Shorter latency times of up to 50% and lower 5G rollout costs among perceived benefits.
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Suppliers & SCMOpenreach enlists CommScope for full-fibre support
CommScope’s NOVUX platform to enable Openreach to hit FTTP deployment goals. US-based vendor added to a growing list of rollout programme partners.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: fibre rollout crosses Forth Road Bridge
Altice impact on Openreach future yet to be seen; full-fibre rollout crosses the Forth Road Bridge.
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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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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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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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Public AffairsOfcom gives BT fibre pricing freedom, but adds burdens
Openreach not to face caps or controls on national ultrafast pricing until 2031, as long as it is “fair and reasonable”. Locally-targeted pricing from Openreach prohibited as Ofcom seeks to protect emerging altnets. BT Consumer may lose some edge from 90 day notice period for new propositions from Openreach. ...
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Public AffairsBT braces as Ofcom fibre ruling looms
Ofcom to set out its fibre vision this week, and while BT may get pricing freedom, it may not get the longer-term clarity it craves. Regulator’s steps to open up infrastructure competition may also disrupt the incumbent’s plans.
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PremiumOpenreach NI fibre plan stirs up Project Stratum
Openreach Northern Ireland on track to exceed FY20–21 full-fibre target. Overlap emerges with Openreach plan and publicly funded project. NI leads UK with highest full-fibre availability.
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PremiumTelefónica agrees to monetise Cornerstone
Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Uncertain how Group’s top brass will proceed, but partial or full sale seems likely.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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Network & InfrastructureBT calls for alternatives to fibre in rural Wales
Connecting the most challenging premises not viable under the USO. Openreach, backed by government infrastructure committees, wants to look beyond FTTP for gigabit access.
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Network & InfrastructureGovernment backpedals on fibre: industry on its own
Improbable goal of universal gigabit coverage abandoned by UK government. £5bn investment plans massively watered down in latest Spending Review. BT critical of retreat. Regulatory environment and sketchy plans for gigabit BDUK could play into Openreach hands.
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Network & InfrastructureEricsson joins Nokia in 5G RAN mix
Swedish supplier claims it will handle 50% of EE’s 5G traffic. Vendor stockpiles antennas ahead of Brexit to meet projected UK demand. BT’s Watson talks optimistically about reshaping networks for the future in the absence of Huawei.
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Network & InfrastructureBT fires another warning shot over fibre roadblocks
Without the right “policy, legislative and fiscal enablers”, BT warns full-fibre nationwide coverage will not happen until 2033. Government target for universal coverage of “Gigabit-capable broadband” is 2025.
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PremiumBT sanguine on DT investment in London fibre rival
Minority BT stakeholder Deutsche Telekom adding to its UK interests through an investment in social housing-focused fibre altnet Community Fibre. Former EE Chief Olaf Swantee to make a UK return as venture’s Chairman. Community Fibre building a business case on sharing Openreach ducts and poles with aim to reach ...
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Network & InfrastructureCellnex swerves Telxius questions as it builds war chest
Robustly growing tower company with €11bn burning a hole in its pocket. Linked to an investment in Telefónica’s “magnificent” infrastructure division. Cellnex management say keen on operational control over investments.
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PremiumGovernment eyes open infrastructure as 2025 plan stalls
DCMS looking at encouraging greater sharing across utilities and telecoms infrastructure, and encouraging Openreach to make use of rivals’ assets. UK government beating drum of infrastructure investment as part of the pandemic response, but references to 2025 Gigabit network deadlines fading into background.
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PremiumBT FY19–20: Fibre target raised — in theory…
BT is upping the target for full-fibre to 20 million premises passed by the ‘mid- to late-2020s’.
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PremiumFull-fibre report card shows some UK progress
Latest IDATE figures show UK as one of Europe’s fastest-growing FTTH/B markets by coverage. But only Austria and Serbia fare worse in terms of subscriber penetration.