All United Kingdom (UK) articles
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M&A
CityFibre returns to M&A with Connexin deal
Acquisition of network assets in Hull and surrounding region could see additional 184,000 premises passed by CityFibre network.
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Weekly Briefings
BTwatch Weekly: overseas dealmaking, domestic lobbying
Latest from around BT as Orange and AT&T are reported to be in talks regarding an international asset optimisation deal; UK regulation in focus for Ofcom, Openreach, and its long tail of altnet competitors; 5G SA rolls on; and BT pairs with peers to fulfil PSTN obligations…
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M&A
BT said to explore international options with AT&T, Orange
BT has confirmed it is in early talks with third-parties over a “range of possibilities” for its unloved international assets, with AT&T and Orange reportedly among businesses in early discussions.
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Interview
Boldyn champions as-a-service benefits for private 5G
Interview: MPN forerunner Mikko Uusitalo shares how Boldyn Networks is reshaping private 5G with its innovative ‘as-a-service’ model, tackling cost and complexity barriers, as the neutral host seeks to continue leading the way with innovative use cases.
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Network & Infrastructure
Game of two halves: Ofcom preps for next five years’ fibre investment
Ofcom declares its fibre strategy to date a success, but reiterates it was implemented with a long‑term outlook running at least over the course of the next review period.
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M&A
2025: the year UK FibreCo cash becomes king?
This year may see further billions injected into altnets to pump-prime M&A consolidation, while 2026 could start to see what the end-state looks like (third scale player or continued swarm).
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Interview
Neos Networks on renewal of its UK backbone for altnets, AI and hyperscalers
Neos Networks is reshaping its trajectory with a sharpened focus on optical connectivity and strategic partnerships like Project Reach with Network Rail. Learn how this SSE-Infracapital-backed UK backbone operator considers itself uniquely placed to leverage opportunities in AI-fuelled data centre expansion and altnet consolidation.
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People
BT Peoplewatch: ESN team fills out; Openreach names fibre newcomers
Latest strategic and senior changes at BT and Openreach, including a new ESN operations lead; Fibre First swaps; a TOTSCo departure; and overseas changes as BT Business doubles down on the UK…
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Network & Infrastructure
Vantage Towers hopeful on ‘massive’ European small cells potential, with UK bringing the blueprint
MWC 2025: Head of Business & Product Development Jaime Abril paints optimistic picture of European market, but calls for regulatory shift and cultural change among MNO customers.
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Network & Infrastructure
Community Fibre: don’t fear the overbuild
London altnet CEO Graeme Oxby asserts the presence of fibre competition is a spur for greater adoption, as Community Fibre sees accelerating progress on uptake across its 1.3 million premises footprint.
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People
Vodafone Peoplewatch: new digs for former OpCo bosses Ametsreiter and Coimbra
Latest senior and strategic changes, including an ice cream post for Group Chair; new German sustainability lead; more Vodafone alumni appointments in Spanish fibre; and fresh titles for former Germany, Spain, and Portugal CEOs…
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Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 takes aim at mobile network ‘pain points’ with £700m spend plan
UK operator expects to spend £700m this year to alleviate network “pain points” for customers and improve mobile service experience.
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Content & TV
BT’s MAUD to target content super peaks as it scales up
Next-gen IP transmission tech delivers positive results in first live tests, teeing up trials of personalised ads for live and on-demand content.
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Marketing
BT brand to retain consumer spot after strategy rethink
BT to keep titular brand running alongside EE in the consumer space, reversing a decision to scrap the BT marque. Move reportedly made to retain “older customers” familiar with legacy branding, as BT faces imminent migration of customers onto newer services…
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Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: Della Valle calls for a ‘European renaissance’
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem as the Mobile World Congress dust settles. A series of innovative proof of concepts and more substantial products and partnerships were announced, and the usual on-stage lobbying made plenty of headlines…
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Suppliers & SCM
EE, IBM assemble ecosystem to rescue UK’s emergency services network
BAPCO Annual Event: Emergency Services Network contract holders EE and IBM build out programme supply chain, with calibre of partners adding confidence in the Home Office that ESN will deliver.
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Weekly Briefings
UK Infrawatch Weekly: Netomnia goes mobile; ESN mobilises; Freedom Fibre walks
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including altnet strategies on uptake acceleration; Project Gigabit and SRN updates; altnet and data centre investment plans; people moves, and plenty more…
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Network & Infrastructure
ESN: UK mission-critical comms network has a new (potential) launch date
BAPCO Annual Event: Home Office programme lead lays out new, heavily-caveated Emergency Services Network milestones, with early integration testing this year building towards a late-2029 Airwave closure. Ifs and buts remain, and ‘race still needs to be run’…
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Innovation (R&D)
BT further sharpens networks focus with innovation strategy shift
MWC 2025: BT Business director Hena Jalil outlines shift in innovation approach to align with broader shift to focus on connectivity rather than non-core verticals. Group continues to build AI expertise in search of new network features and products.
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M&A
Blackstone’s £10bn UK data centre gets green light
Blyth site set begin construction later this year, with Blackstone acquisition QTS to run and operate the ‘hyperscale’ facility. Energy a consideration in selection of former power station site. Blackstone builds up European digital infra interest with Dutch footprint, Digital Realty JV.