All United Kingdom (UK) articles – Page 47
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PremiumM&A? We’re on it, insists Vodafone CEO
Activist investor Cevian Capital reportedly wants Vodafone management to push harder on in-market consolidation. Read reiterates claim that “pragmatic” and “open-minded” M&A has always been the plan under his watch, with returns-focused deals in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the UK in the crosshairs. Vodafone knocks back Iliad bid for ...
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Innovation (R&D)BT breaks ground on sustainable housing project
BT and partners New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Suffolk began construction on the EcoLab zero-carbon affordable home project. Forms part of Adastral Park’s DigiTech Centre, building on ties with the Group’s university partner.
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Network & InfrastructureBT wants more suppliers to support quantum leap
Operator wants to bring down tech costs to help commercialise new set of services being prepared with next-gen encryption. Comments come with telco weeks away from debuting its first quantum-enabled metro network. Telco prepping international quantum security services play.
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M&ATelefónica Tech UK&I hints at more acquisitions
Telefónica Tech to continue UK shopping spree this year. After snapping up Cancom UK&I, division wants to expand cloud and cybersecurity presence in the region.
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Network & Infrastructure“Huge volume of work ahead”: Openreach details storm recovery efforts
Eunice and Franklin repairs ongoing, but still almost 20,000 Openreach customers unable to access broadband. “Vast majority” down to power outages. About 100 Openreach poles damaged alongside 300 green roadside cabinets.
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Public AffairsTelco inflation playbook: raise prices, cut costs, embrace digitalisation
Tough times ahead for telco customers, employees, and suppliers, as inflation drives price hikes, capex and opex control, and ongoing workforce reductions. Inflation-linked contracts to boost service revenue and outpace rising costs. Digital transformation efforts seen as key to cost savings.
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Public AffairsUK’s Ofcom acknowledges telco’s Big Tech quandary
Regulator sees potential for hyperscalers to support more flexible mobile infrastructure. But it also identifies competition on service delivery as an opportunity and threat to traditional players. Limits on spectrum availability also putting the squeeze on operators as data demand keeps surging. CMA considering two decisions on competition that ...
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Public AffairsViasat’s Inmarsat takeover hits political debris
US satellite operator’s planned acquisition of UK rival (and Deutsche Telekom partner) prompts national security concerns as critical infrastructure given state protection. New foreign takeover law affords Whitehall power to intervene, which looks increasingly likely.
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Network & InfrastructureTelcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
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OperationsNewgate St: BT has left the building
Facilities management partner completes “decommissioning” of the Group’s former HQ, ending long historical association with St. Pauls location.
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Network & InfrastructureMacquarie linked with £10bn UK infrastructure boost
Australian group points to planned investments in UK broadband. Macquarie has snapped up local providers including KCOM, Voneus, and Wavenet.
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PremiumElsewhere in UK: VM O2 to establish refurbished device scheme
VM O2 continues social change efforts with refurbished device lending scheme for temporary accommodation residents; CWU swaps target-driven bonuses for 10% salary increase for retail staff.
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PremiumVM O2 signals private network ambitions
JV collaborating with Nokia on private mobile networks since 2020. Further deals could be in pipeline.
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PremiumVM O2 CTO Jeanie York tackles convergence complexity
York opens up on bringing together technology, products, and teams. CTO, CIO, and CDO are separate but collaborate. New Volt converged service is result of squad way of working.
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PremiumUK operators action inflation-linked pricing
BT, EE join fellow operators in price hike announcements as UK inflation pushes broadband and mobile prices up nearly 10%. Consumer challenges affecting MNOs too, say MNOs. Brexit impact also felt for roamers.
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PremiumBT takes open RAN for a spin with Nokia
Hull trial puts Nokia’s near-real-time RIC and xApps through their paces. Goal is to optimise EE’s network performance. Open RAN Innovation Centre at Adastral Park facility slated for launch “later” in 2022.
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Financial & PerformanceBT Q3: king of a still-wobbly hill
Corporate weakness postpones recovery, with BT Global recuperating and BT Enterprise still in surgery. Rational rivals embraced, but warned of “Armageddon scenario”, with Sky current BFF. Discovery tie-up a win-win for BT Sport (but what about for BT itself?). Openreach charges on, hitting new records for FTTP connections and ...
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: recruitment drive for apprentices and graduates
Recruitment campaign to fill Better Workplace offices; shareholder Altice drops Portuguese sale plans.
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PremiumBT wary of Cellnex compromise on CKH tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from existing estate to enable new UK tower player to emerge, overcoming CMA concerns on competition linked to planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies already stepped forward as potential buyers. BT remains concerned about impact on MBNL and 5G investment plans.
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InterviewOpenUK explores Gaia-X data model
Open technology advocacy group wants to keep UK engaged with Europe on developing federated data models.