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.
Manchester city centre and its surrounding areas are set to experience improved mobile connectivity thanks to a new partnership between Freshwave and Manchester City Council. This collaboration will see Freshwave deploying over 20 outdoor small cells on behalf of Virgin Media O2 in high-traffic locations, such as the Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester Piccadilly Station, and Piccadilly Gardens.
Virgin Media O2 and Crown Commercial Service have inked a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing technological and telecommunications solutions to bolster digitalisation efforts within the UK Government and the wider public sector. CCS, a government body responsible for aiding public sector procurement, has been pivotal in organizing the purchase of common goods and services across various organizations.
Cornerstone, a leading passive infrastructure provider managing Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) and Vodafone’s shared mobile network, is set to introduce a cutting-edge neutral host network utilizing smart street light technology in urban environments.The partnership between Cornerstone and Signify, a Netherlands-based company spun off from Philips in 2016, will leverage Signify’s BrightSites Broadband Luminaire products. These innovative LED streetlamps act as network extenders, supporting a mesh network using 60 GHz millimetre-wave (mmWave) spectrum to facilitate 5G connectivity.
A recent market study by INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association) and Point Topic reveals that alternative network builders in the UK have collectively expanded fibre infrastructure to more premises than BT’s Openreach unit. By the end of 2023, UK altnets had reached 12.9 million premises with fibre, exceeding Openreach’s coverage of 12.8 million.
Telecommunications operators are increasingly turning to satellite technology to expand 5G coverage, particularly in rural regions, as indicated by new data from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). However, despite a rising number of partnerships and commercial launches, the market’s growth is slower than anticipated.
The Australian investment bank, Macquarie, is reportedly considering an exit from KCom amidst escalating competition within the UK alternative network (altnet) sector. A recent report in The Telegraph suggests that Macquarie has engaged advisors from PJT Partners to conduct a strategic review of KCom, indicating potential changes on the horizon.
Vodafone has achieved a significant milestone in the UK’s Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative, announcing the activation of its 200th site. This accomplishment marks a notable improvement from the 57 sites operational a year ago, underlining the urgency faced by the country’s major mobile network operators (MNOs) to meet rural coverage obligations.
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.
Bridging the digital divide in vast and harsh terrains like the Scottish Highlands, VMO2 embarks on a novel approach, utilizing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites from Starlink for critical backhaul services. Bypassing conventional, costly terrestrial infrastructure, VMO2’s tests have proven the potency of satellite technology in improving coverage across the UK.
