Openreach supports digital transformations with 100Gbit/s data transport

Openreach has adopted Adtran’s FSP 3000 open optical transport technology to launch the new Optical Spectrum Access 100G Single enterprise service.

The solution offers a dedicated fibre link that allows more UK businesses to access point-to-point 100Gbit/s data transport, meeting the surging demand for high-bandwidth services.

Simon Williams, Head of Optical Products at Openreach, said:

“Corporate cloud applications and other data-intensive tasks such as...

3 August 2023 | Broadband

BT is reportedly looking for a new CEO

According to reports, BT Group CEO Philip Jansen may be leaving his position.

BT Group includes Openreach, EE, and Plusnet. Sources for the Mail on Sunday claim that BT Group has begun searching for a replacement for Jansen, who has held the position since 2018.

During his tenure, Jansen has focused on expanding the rollout of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) across the UK, reduced the company's focus on the pay-TV market, and undertook a significant rebranding across...

27 March 2023 | 5G

BT staff pencil in further strikes over ‘insulting’ pay deal

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is organising further BT and Openreach strikes over the coming months.

Around 40,000 Openreach engineers and BT call centre staff undertook strike action last month over “weak, insulting” below-inflation pay rises.

“Workers will not accept a massive deterioration in their living standards,” said Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU, last month.

“The serious disruption this strike may cause is entirely down to...

15 August 2022 | Broadband

BT staff begin strike action over below-inflation pay rises

BT staff have begun strike action across the country in a row over below-inflation pay rises.

UK RPI inflation has reached 11.7 percent and is set to increase further later in the year. Many employers have offered pay rises to help ensure their staff aren’t left substantially worse off at the end of each month.

BT, for its part, offered its staff a £1,500 pay increase to help with the cost of living crisis. However, it’s been called a “weak, insulting” pay deal...

29 July 2022 | Broadband

Over 40,000 BT staff to strike at the end of July

A telecoms union has confirmed that over 40,000 BT staff will go on strike at the end of July due to below-inflation pay rises.

Earlier this month, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) warned that it would move forward with plans to strike over a “weak, insulting” pay deal unless BT put a better offer on the table.

BT offered a £1,500 pay increase for employees. With RPI inflation levels hitting 11.7 percent, it’s been labelled a “dramatic real-terms pay cut”...

18 July 2022 | Broadband

BT staff to strike after ‘weak, insulting’ pay deal

BT employees will go on strike following a “weak, insulting” pay deal that fails to counter the impact of high inflation.

Earlier this year, BT offered a £1,500 pay increase for employees. With RPI inflation levels hitting 11.7 percent, it’s been labelled a “dramatic real-terms pay cut”.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) – a union for all BT Group employees – voted by 95.8 percent to take strike action. Call centre workers will join 30,000 Openreach...

4 July 2022 | Operators

Openreach is creating 4,000 new jobs, follows record female engineer recruitment

Openreach has announced that it will create 4,000 jobs during 2022, following a year when it recruited more female engineers than ever.

The new recruits will assist Openreach in delivering full-fibre connectivity to premises up and down the UK. Openreach says that it’s currently on track to reach 25 million homes and businesses by December 2026.

Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach, said:

“Openreach is a people business first and foremost, so I’m proud that...

10 February 2022 | Broadband

Ofcom announces ‘One Touch Switch’ to simplify changing broadband providers

Ofcom has announced a new “One Touch Switch” initiative to simplify the broadband switching process for consumers.

Telecom providers are among the most notorious businesses for bumping out-of-contract prices for consumers. They are especially predatory on older customers who are less likely to seek better deals.

Here’s just one example of a current package that over doubles in price:

Legislation introduced on 15 February 2020 mandates that broadband,...

28 September 2021 | Broadband

Openreach: Full-fibre would be ‘game-changing’ for the UK economy

A report commissioned by Openreach highlights the “game-changing” impact that full-fibre will have on various regions of the UK.

The report, conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), calls full-fibre a “gamechanger” for London, the South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Wales, Yorkshire & Humber, North West, and North East.

Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach, said:

“Cebr’s previous research...

28 April 2021 | Networks

Ofcom updates wholesale rules to accelerate the full-fibre rollout

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has updated its wholesale rules with the aim of accelerating the full-fibre rollout.

Full-fibre broadband was a key pledge of Johnson’s government but, like most plans, was somewhat derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the UK’s successful vaccine rollout enabling a cautious roadmap to lifting lockdown restrictions, the focus is now shifting to how the country can “build back better” from a virus which dithering and chaotic policymaking...

18 March 2021 | Legislation & Government