Netomnia has merged with Brsk, forming the UK’s second-largest alternative network provider after CityFibre. This merger creates a network footprint of 1.5 million premises ready for service (RFS), aiming to reach 3 million by next year. Supported by £1.2 billion in debt funding, the merger combines complementary networks to enhance market position and service delivery, emphasizing expansion and innovation.
In developed markets, copper telecom networks are rapidly being replaced by more efficient fiber optic cables. Despite this shift, the value of copper is surging in other sectors, particularly in electric vehicles and renewable energy. The metal’s worth has soared over 50% from pre-pandemic levels due to high demand and lower mining outputs, with forecasts suggesting a further 50% increase in demand by 2040.
GoTo’s new AI-powered scam detection feature aims to protect users from rising remote support scams. Freedom Fibre secures funding for rural fibre rollout, Openreach extends network, but low uptake rates pose challenges.
Anritsu’s MasterClaw Service Assurance is now validated on Red Hat OpenShift, enhancing its cloud-native benefits. Aryaka expands its network with a new PoP in Madrid. DRFortress and Megaport have partnered to launch a new public cloud on-ramp solution.
BT Group has reported a slight revenue increase to £20.8 billion, a 1% rise from last year, driven by price hikes for broadband customers, robust sales of fibre products in Openreach, and growth in the consumer division. However, the company’s pre-tax profits dropped sharply by 31%, falling to £1.18 billion, despite a 2% rise in adjusted EBITDA, which reached £8.1 billion.
The landscape of fibre broadband in the UK is rapidly evolving, with over a fifth of premises now enjoying the choice of two or more fibre broadband providers. This development can be attributed to the efforts of alternative network operators across the country.Recent data from Point Topic reveals that nearly two thirds of UK premises, totaling 20.4 million, now have access to fibre broadband as of March-end.
PJT Partners sets out to scrutinize UK telecom operator, KCOM’s business strategy, a move that could trigger significant changes like a sale or merger. This arises from previous disclosures regarding the potential interest of CityFibre and Virgin Media O2 in purchasing the uniquely positioned company that operates independently of BT’s Openreach network.
Rumors of a impending merger swirl around two of UK’s pivotal alternative network providers. Such union could massively boost FTTP coverage across the UK. Amid speculations of rapid network consolidation and shared investment, this collaboration signifies a vital shift in UK’s fibre market. However, the union also begets challenges in terms of subscriber transition and meeting regulatory deadlines.
With the looming switch-off of ISDN and PSTN circuits, businesses in the UK will have no choice but to update their phone systems to the cloud before December 2025. This is when the old networks will be turned off. These older networks are being replaced with newer technology, such as VoIP as well as the discontinuation of ISDN and PSTN; broadband lines with a dial tone such as ADSL and FTTC are also being discontinued and replaced with new products such as SOGEA and FTTP (Fiber to the Premise).
Telecom leaders discussed the challenge of monetizing 5G. Vodafone’s ‘The Great British Telecoms Switch’ campaign offers BT customers savings and compensations to switch providers. A Pew Research Center survey found U.S. teens have a complex relationship with smartphones. Verizon’s report shows a 129% rise in mobile network traffic over 5 years. Iliad aims to become the fifth-largest mobile operator in Europe by 2024.
In a bold move that underscores its commitment to leading the UK’s fibre optic expansion, CityFibre has acquired Lit Fibre, a smaller but significant player in the market. This strategic acquisition is set to boost CityFibre’s reach by an additional 300,000 premises, signaling a significant step in its quest to become the nation’s third major infrastructure platform, alongside giants like Virgin Media O2 and Openreach.
