BT, a leading UK telecommunications company, has issued a detailed 40-page report in response to the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three. The report argues that the merger would create a dominant entity in the UK mobile market, possessing 61% of the network capacity, a level of control unprecedented in both the UK and Western Europe.
Ofcom has fined BT £2.8 million after its subsidiaries, EE and Plusnet, failed to adhere to consumer protection regulations. The UK regulator’s investigation revealed that both companies neglected to provide clear contract details to numerous customers before they signed up for services.
BT has announced a two-year delay in the shutdown of the UK’s copper-based phone lines, now scheduled for 2027 instead of the original 2025 target. The decision was subtly revealed in the company’s 2023 financial results and later confirmed through a press release.
BT has announced a significant triumph, securing a $70 million contract to revamp and bolster the IT infrastructure of the Devon & Cornwall and Dorset police forces. This transformative deal encompasses a broad spectrum of IT solutions essential for operational efficacy.
BT joins forces with UK Business Climate Hub to empower small to medium UK businesses to slash their CO2e emissions in half by 2030. The strategic partnership aims to combat climate change, utilizing BT’s experience and UKBCH’s resources, ultimately championing for net-zero emissions by 2050. However, reaching these transformational green goals may prove challenging for many businesses, highlighting the necessity of this collaborative initiative.
BT and Global have entered a 10-year collaboration to modernize UK’s traditional payphones and expand digital hubs in local communities, fostering enhanced connectivity and local advertising opportunities. A major highlight includes the transformation of BT’s iconic payphones, expected to develop into a progressive stride towards telecommunications future.
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.
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, BT’s Division X unveiled a significant advancement in their technology offerings, introducing a multi-million-pound investment in a narrowband Internet of Things (NB IoT) network. This move is poised to revolutionize the IoT landscape across various sectors, promising a new era of smart cities and advanced agriculture. Chris Keone, the Managing Director of Division X, shared insights into how this technology is setting the stage for futuristic urban environments and industry transformations.
BT launched NB-IoT network covering 97% of the UK to boost IoT use in sectors like utilities and construction. Elisa and Nokia showcased 5G Advanced’s L4S technology, demonstrating its potential to improve connectivity. Nokia’s Virtual Power Plant Controller Software enables mobile operators to lower energy costs, earn revenue, and reduce carbon emissions. LeapXpert and ASC collaborate to offer a compliance recording solution for Microsoft Teams, enabling regulated external communications.
Pioneering a new age in software engineering, BT’s Digital Unit collaborates with Amazon Web Services, integrating the GenAI tool, Amazon CodeWhisperer—an AI equivalent to autocorrect for coding, proficient in 15 unique languages. Beyond code suggestion, CodeWhisperer ensures code safety and reliability, filtering out potential vulnerabilities, leading to a 12% automation of routine coding tasks.
