All United Kingdom (UK) articles – Page 52
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 to expand small cell footprint beyond London
Long-running project in capital seen as having progressed to point where template can be expanded to other UK cities. Move sets up contest between O2’s site and tech enablers.
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Content & TV
Ex-BT chief Patterson tipped for Super League top-spot
Former BT CEO Patterson said to be among those considered for controversial European Super League stewardship. Former employer BT stands against the breakaway league proposals.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT wants SIM-fitted drones as standard
Head of BT’s Drone Solutions keen on developing out-of-the-box SIM card solution. Telco wants Project Xcelerate to showcase EE network’s suitability for BVLOS flights. Scaling drone-flight volumes in BVLOS environment a pressing challenge. Collaboration with US-based TEOCO in the pipeline to optimise flightpaths.
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Premium
STL 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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Premium
BT “disappointed” as government tweaks voucher scheme
Government kicks off first phase of £1.2bn Project Gigabit. £210m for rural voucher scheme, but fewer communities are eligible; £110m for connecting rural doctors’ surgeries, libraries, and schools. DCMS Delivery Plan suggests considerable uncertainty on most effective way to target government spending.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: Extreme E rights nabbed
BT Sport takes racing rights and targets Ashes renewal.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: O2-VM gets provisional nod
BT remains neutral as CMA clears Virgin Media–O2 deal.
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Strategy & Change
Selley “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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Interview
Vishal Dixit: MVNOs are vital to Vodafone UK growth
Conversations with potential UK MVNO partners are “in the double digits”. Asda Mobile and Virgin Media deals exemplify OpCo’s new approach to MVNO partnerships. OpCo moving away from a ‘computer says no’ approach to MVNOs.
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M&A
CMA doubts bundle demand as it greenlights VM-O2
Provisional clearance of merger based on limited ability of the partners to manipulate wholesale pricing and services in their favour. Creation of a new fixed-mobile giant not expected to unleash a sudden surge towards single-contract multi-play bundles in the UK market.
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Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom targets Sweden and UK in IoT sales push
Two new sales roles to support European growth ambition. DT’s B2B overhaul bears fruit as DT IoT and DTBS work together to expand IoT business. IoT Hub takes longer than expected to launch commercial offerings.
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M&A
BT absorbs Local Business agent Fourfront
Reseller relationship brought in-house in small transaction. BT says no shift in strategy for SME go-to-market.
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People
Schüler coronated as VM-O2 CEO
Lutz Schüler, dynamic Virgin Media chief, with a track record at O2 Germany, is to lead the new VM-O2 joint venture, subject to competition clearance. O2 CFO and experienced merger overseer Patricia Cobian to take on the JV finance role. No room for O2 CEO Mark Evans.
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Suppliers & SCM
BT Sourced embarks on buyside disruption
Low-key launch for BT’s “standalone” procurement company. Time will tell if greater reliance on digital tools will turn BT Sourced into “procurement disruptors and trailblazers”.
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Operations
BT’s revamped Newcastle office set for re-opening
Operator to inaugurate opening of “one of first” upgraded offices under Better Workplace scheme. “First phase” of site redevelopment completed, with hybrid working practices helping maintain operations in meantime. Gosforth to prioritise employee welfare as a means to boost customer service.
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Premium
O2 UK secures more 5G spectrum
Ofcom raises a total of £1.4bn in principal auction stage — several hundred million pounds less than expectations. Regulator has now opened the first phase of negotiation period that should enable operators to build contiguous blocks in the 3.4GHz–3.8GHz band. Lower spend on licences (so far) should provide an ...
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Premium
Vodafone UK secures mid-band 5G spectrum
OpCo decides against buying low-band airwaves as it intends to refarm 900MHz for 5G. Total amount raised is below expectations, indicating lack of appetite among operators for bidding war.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica’s Core Markets: Digital Workplace opens up
Movistar+ adds edutainment for at-home learning; O2 UK offers device-as-a-service for remote-working employees.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: EU cluster partnerships and TechCo ambitions spread
Vodafone Turkey lays out four-pillar 2025 ambition as it steps into TechCo territory; Czech and Irish OpCos draw back high street presence; Vodafone Romania pilots TIP-built kit.
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Strategy & Change
Networks joins Digital division to replace BT Technology
BT Technology was shuttered and replaced by two new divisions: BT Digital and BT Networks. Harmeen Mehta and Howard Watson at the respective helms as BT seeks transformation and modernisation. Fotis Karonis replacement named at BT Enterprise.