Leaping into a decision on a new broadband Universal Service Obligation would be a mistake November 29, 2017 The government is currently offering a £1.1bn package of measures to support the market delivery of digital networks underpinned by full fibre broadband. A key pillar of that plan, under the Digital Economy Act 2017, is to create a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO), which is geared towards everyone in the UK having access [...]
BT Openfudge? Four things you need to know about the Ofcom deal… and what the regulator says about them March 10, 2017 BT's settlement with regulator Ofcom has been championed as a significant step towards making its Openreach broadband division a separate entity, after months of debate over the subject. Today's agreement isn't quite a spin-off. Although the two will be legally separated, Openreach, the company responsible for running the majority of the UK's telecoms infrastructure, will be forced to consult [...]
BT needs to be able to “hire and fire” Openreach board and had to get the deal done before starting pension negotiations March 10, 2017 BT chief exec Gavin Patterson has said having the ability to “hire and fire” the Openreach board was a red line that the telecoms giant couldn’t cross in agreeing a deal with Ofcom over the future of its infrastructure arm. And breaking the deadlock with regulators over Openreach’s independence was imperative before entering into negotiations with [...]
Pullman Liverpool: A warm welcome to Merseyside September 3, 2018 Pullman knows a hotel is far more than somewhere to eat and sleep. It’s an opportunity to feel welcome in a new location, a place guests can be at their very best, for work and play. Pullman Hotels & Resorts offer a chance to recharge and explore. Focus and socialise. Because we know life [...]
BT Openreach separation plans to “rebuild trust and credibility” aren’t enough for Ofcom February 1, 2017 BT plans to make Openreach more independent by bolstering its board were today rebuffed by regulators as falling short of their requirements. Openreach held its first board full meeting yesterday and today announced the appointment of Sir Brendan Barber, the former general secretary of the Trade Union Congress, Edward Astle, a former board member of the National Grid, as independent [...]
Britain’s 5G auction starts tomorrow – and this is how it will work March 19, 2018 Mobile firms will today be putting the final touches to planned bids for tomorrow’s spectrum auction. Regulator Ofcom will tomorrow start the process of flogging packages, some of which will allow mobile providers to roll-out 5G plans in around a year’s time. Who is taking part? Despite a wide range of mobile providers in the [...]
BT Openreach’s final board line-up is structurally flawed, says TalkTalk’s Dido Harding February 14, 2017 Openreach today revealed its final board line-up in a push to prove its independence from parent BT, only for the move to be branded "meaningless" by TalkTalk. LIz Benison, a high ranking executive at Serco, will take her place as a non-exec alongside chairman Mike McTighe, Edward Astle and Sir Brendan Barber. Openreach said the appointment means independent [...]
BT Europe boss Corrado Sciolla steps down following Italy accounting scandal January 27, 2017 BT's head of continental Europe, Corrado Sciolla, has stepped down from his role following the discovery of an accounting scandal at its Italian operation. Reuters reported the company as saying: "Corrado is leaving the business, this happened on his watch." Read more: BT hit by key cut by credit agency BT revealed earlier this week [...]
Problems mount for BT as US lawsuits are filed and Italian prosecutors kick-off investigation January 25, 2017 Telecoms giant BT has been hit by at least two US lawsuits after admitting to a £530m black hole in the accounts of its Italian arm. The lawsuits have been filed on behalf of shareholders, Reuters reported tonight, accusing BT and three executives of securities fraud. Earlier today Italian prosecutors confirmed they had opened a [...]
Ofcom pushes to legally separate BT and Openreach November 29, 2016 Ofcom said today that it will push ahead with plans to legally separate BT and its broadband network division Openreach. The watchdog accused BT of failing to volunteer any actions that would address competition concerns. BT shares dropped 1.3 per cent at the open. Openreach is the division of BT Group that develops and maintains [...]