All United Kingdom (UK) articles – Page 48
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Premium
BT soothes relations with disgruntled CWU
BT finds common ground with workers’ union by making series of job security assurances. CWU’s Count Me In campaign bears fruit, with 2022 pay rise in pipeline for staff. Group transformation roadmap unaffected.
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Premium
BT doubles down against overcharging allegations
Group intends to “vigorously defend” itself against a class action lodged with competition authorities that alleges historic overcharging for voiceonly customers.
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Premium
Qualitest expands 5G testing role
5G network expansion provides further opportunity to increase remit of software testing company Qualitest.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach; expanded FTTP rollout
Openreach expands FTTP rollout, and expands cablelaying contracts to support the plans.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced’s new home
Better Workplace marches on; BT Sourced finds a home.
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Suppliers & SCM
Virgin Media O2 picks Ericsson for 5G SA core
5G core network to be hosted on Ericsson cloud infrastructure in VM O2 data centres.
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Premium
H1 FY21: Telefonica seeks rationality at its core
Core markets showing progress as the worst effects of the pandemic begin to recede. Steady move towards converged services across all markets reflects continued pursuit of a valuefocused strategy as digital services begin to proliferate. Spanish flagship leading the way on strategy, but still experiencing a tough competitive market. ...
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Core Markets: German 5G rollout update
German OB advances 5G rollout; customer rewards scheme launched in Spain after successful trial; VM O2 reinforcing green credentials.
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People
BT confirms Crozier as ‘turnaround’ chair
Former ITV CEO unanimously picked to replace Jan du Plessis, with BT highlighting his experience in changing the fortunes of struggling public and private businesses. Digital evolution and a return to growth highlighted as key priorities for Crozier-era BT.
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M&A
DT interest Community Fibre subsumes rival
FTTP altnet backed by BT shareholder absorbs assets of smaller fibre builder. Business now looking “beyond London” as it continues to accelerate growth. Community Fibre’s FTTP footprint stands at 300,000 premises. Acquisition not impacting commercial operations or leadership structure of “independent” merger partner.
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Products & Services
IoT.nxt takes sports performance platform on tour
Rugby team the first to leverage IoT.nxt’s PLAYER.Connect real-time sports performance platform. Vodacom-owned IoT specialist targets fresh industry segment, drawing on breadth of Vodafone partnerships.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen now sees BT chasing 30 million premises with full-fibre
Extra five million presented as ‘infill’ and presumably more rural. Immediate competitive riposte to news of Virgin Media O2 FTTP retrofit, which it neatly doubles. Jansen says BT not concerned, but challenger altnets should be. No rush for fibre JV partner, but Jansen reveals a UK compatriot would be ...
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People
BT targets serial moderniser to back Jansen transformation
Strong media rumours emerged identifying former Royal Mail Chief Executive Adam Crozier as the likely Chairman-successor to du Plessis, reflecting continued pressure on BT to accelerate restructuring. Crozier would come with little direct digital background, but considerable experience of shaking up venerable institutions, and with recent experience linked to ...
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Strategy & Change
VM O2 preps for wholesale with code powers application
Concerns over securing acceptable commercial terms for key sites on VM O2 network behind request for additional tenancy rights. Code-based flexibility will simplify the process of enabling wholesale access to sites, while supporting potential network expansion.
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Financial & Performance
BT Q1 FY21–22: another toughie, but with promise(s)
Q1 reiterated as a road to a recovery that will materialise in H2. Consumer reviving but Global eponymously damned. Microsoft deal more than slideware. Virgin Media–O2 FTTP investment could be a backhanded compliment and gift to BT.
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M&A
Cancom joins Telefónica Tech stable
Telefónica Tech picks up cloud and security specialist Cancom, as the Group’s growth-oriented technology division targets a strengthened UK presence. Move appears enabled by compete parameters in Virgin Media–Telefónica UK shareholders’ agreement.
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People
Vodafone Carrier Services’ boss moves into key UK role
Vodafone Business lieutenant Nick Gliddon sent in to perform key UK enterprise mission. Move fills vacancy opened up by Anne Sheehan’s exit to Microsoft Ireland.
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Premium
VM O2 bites bullet and pledges fibre future
A future upgrade of VM O2 fixed infrastructure will see coaxial cable edged out and fibre deployed throughout the operator’s footprint. Switching to XGSPON instead of DOCSIS 4.0 pricy, but manageable within modest budgets and with multiple longer term benefits. Pragmatic approach to fibre is partly driven by the ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BT accelerates Huawei swap-out and sets 2028 full 5G goal
By 2028 EE’s 5G network to reach 90% of landmass and the remainder “on-demand”. Consumer and Network-fronted event intended to stake BT’s claim for national network superiority, and development of a platform for growth. Exacting ESN connectivity demands pinned as a reason for open access caution, but accelerated Huawei ...
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M&A
Drahi cites Brexit for BT swoop
Co-founder of Altice telecoms group pays UK government ministers a visit about newly acquired 12.1% BT stake. Claims Brexit and relatively low FTTP rollout makes UK ripe for investment. Some in BT reportedly think overtures to government might be part of a grand takeover plan.