Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Network operator Openreach has issued a progress update on its efforts to help tackle a long-running underground petrol leak in the Surrey (England) village of Bramley. This has revealed, among other things, a new proposal that would allow alternative broadband networks to start building fibre (FTTP) in the area again.

Just to recap. Openreach is currently still dealing with the “significant and ongoing impact” of the incident (here), which technically began 6 year ago after fuel started leaking from a local Petrol Station (this wasn’t owned by ASDA at the time). But the full impact of this wasn’t fully appreciated until recently. Over the course of that time the leak has begun to cause fuel smells in the area, harming local businesses, and has also spread into the groundwater (i.e. disrupting the drinking of tap water in certain areas) and even local utility services.

At the last update it was noted that least 300 metres of Openreach’s underground cable ducts in the area had been affected. Cleaning it up has involved a lot of specialist equipment, processes and lots of detailed coordination among the impacted organisations and relevant authorities.

For example, Openreach have worked alongside Thames Water and others to extract vapour and fuel from their network, and the surrounding groundwater (ongoing). Various other actions, such as duct & chamber flushing and a consultation on nitrogen purging, as well as the deployment of a nitrogen compressor inside the local exchange, have also taken place. But this is a long process, and the operator states that “petrol contamination is still in our network (liquid and vapour)“.

In addition, Openreach has replaced the impacted joint box lids with new vented ones to improve air flow, and they’ve brought in experts with vapour extraction units who are still on-hand to deploy if vapour levels rise again in the area. The HSE have also carried out a study on the risk and steps the operator has taken to confirm the approach.

Suffice to say that a big part of the area was originally designated as a strict ‘Exclusion Zone‘ (pictured), although some parts have since been downgraded to a less restrictive ‘Contamination Zone‘ (i.e. work in certain areas can now take place, provided proper safety procedures are observed). The distribution (D-side) side of Openreach’s local network can now be accessed in a “carefully controlled manner“, but the E-side is still not fully accessible due to the presence of vapours.

The progress means that Openreach is now looking to soften some of the local restrictions, which would allow alternative network operators to start running new fibre via existing cable ducts; provided they agree to follow the safety measures (e.g. protective gear, carrying gas detectors and monitoring oxygen levels where nitrogen has been deployed etc.). Openreach itself is also making their own plans for a return to deploying full fibre (FTTP) broadband infrastructure in the area.

A spokesperson for Openreach told ISPreview:

“Safety remains our top priority in Bramley – for our people, our partners, and the public.

We’re making steady progress towards resuming more normal operations in Bramley but fuel hazards remain in our network and they’re likely to persist for the foreseeable future.

This week, we updated our Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) customers on our next steps: by mid-July, we plan to redesignate the current ‘Exclusion Zone’ as a ‘Contamination Zone’.

In practice, this means they’ll have access to some previously restricted underground ducts on the distribution (‘D’) side of our network – but only under a carefully controlled and safe system of work.

The situation in Bramley continues to evolve, so we’re actively monitoring conditions and sharing updates on the hazards and the controls we’ve put in place. If needed, we won’t hesitate to reintroduce safety measures to protect everyone involved.”

In short, some of the measures in certain areas are being lifted, which will make it easier for network upgrades, new provisions by engineers/retail ISPs and repair work to take place again (previously certain repairs and new service provisions were not possible). Naturally, it’s unsafe for engineers to fully access the entire network, until the risk is eliminated.

Once again, it’s very important to stress just how serious and dangerous this situation is, both for local residents and the engineers who are trying extremely hard to resolve an incredibly challenging problem. At the start of this month Openreach additionally revealed that making their network “safe and accessible” again could take “at least” another 12 months.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today set out the final regulations for their plan to auction off a large chunk of millimetre wave (mmW) radio spectrum frequency in the 26GHz and 40GHz bands, which will come into force on 30th June 2025. The spectrum will be used by mobile network operators to deliver faster 5G data (broadband) services.

At present EE (BT), O2 (Virgin Media), VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three UK) already have access to several 5G capable bands between 700MHz and 3.8GHz. Such frequencies reflect the same sort of mid-band radio spectrum that mobile network operators have been using since the advent of the first 3G and 4G networks many years ago.

The move to auction off 26GHz (25.1-27.5GHz) and 40GHz (40.5-43.5GHz) will complement those existing bands by providing lots of additional spectrum frequency to operators, which means more data capacity for extremely fast speeds (e.g. multi-Gigabit). But such signals tend to be very weak, which means they’ll primarily be used for serving busy urban areas (shopping malls, airports etc.) and fixed wireless broadband (FWA) links.

Readers may recall that Ofcom’s plan to auction off these additional bands had been on hold until the VodafoneThree merger had completed, which finally happened at the start of this month (here). As a result, Ofcom has now made the regulations which implement those decisions (here) and these will come into force from 30th June 2025.

Ofcom plans to auction licences to use spectrum in the two bands in certain parts of the country (the major towns and cities in which they expect the highest volume of mmWave deployment). The regulator aims to award several 15-year, fixed term citywide licences (“high density areas”) to use the “new” mmWave bands – reflecting 68 major towns and cities across the UK, as well as some localised licences for “low density areas” within those cities via their Shared Access licensing framework.

The timelines for all this remain unchanged. Ofcom will accept applications to participate in the auction on 16th and 17th September 2025, with the principal stage of the auction itself then getting underway in October 2025. The UK is a long way behind other countries that have already awarded spectrum in the mmW bands, but one advantage of playing catch-up is that supporting mobile kit and device support should be more mature.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

During the Digital Transformation Summit (DTW 25), Huawei, in collaboration with industry organizations, hosted the fourth Green Development Forum to address the imperative of achieving green and low-carbon development in communication networks amid climate change. Attendees engaged in comprehensive discussions on the standardization of the Green Network Index (GNI), AI-driven energy efficiency, and practices for zero-carbon architecture, mapping out trends toward a sustainable, zero-carbon network.

Industry Consensus: Immediate Action Required for Green Telecommunications
Mr. Richard Webb, Senior Analyst at the TM Forum, presented a keynote titled “Green Networks – A Zero-carbon Network Architecture Blueprint for 2030”. He emphasized that global climate initiatives are propelling communication networks towards higher energy efficiency, yet the industry faces significant challenges, including a lack of AI tools for sustainability assessment, insufficient visualization of energy efficiency, and the need for standardization.

Mr. Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence, elaborated on the Green Network Index (GNI), which offers a comprehensive measurement methodology and indicator system for green network evolution. Currently implemented by six major operators, this index provides a clear framework for sustainable development, playing a crucial role in the green transition for telecom operators.

Operator Practices: Carbon Reduction and Business Win-Win
Dr. Lee Hui Mien, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) Group, shared the strategic path for achieving net-zero goals by 2045 through the GNI. The practices of Singtel demonstrate that the GNI tool has value in establishing standardized assessment systems, identifying energy efficiency improvement hotspots, and achieving global benchmarking. Through network modernization and renewable energy procurement agreements, Singtel is translating sustainability into quantifiable operational practices.

Mr. Shaharul Niza Mohamad, Chief Financial Officer of Celcom Timur Sabah (CTS), Malaysia, showcased the effective application of Network Energy Efficiency (NEE) metrics through strategic initiatives. A key achievement was the modernization of Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) infrastructure, which led to a significant reduction in the number of cabinets at single sites. This initiative not only improved overall NEE but also resulted in notable reductions in electricity consumption. In addition, CTS achieved its objective of reducing carbon emissions per terabyte (TB) of traffic by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as all-optical network simplification, intelligent energy-saving solutions, and optimized network architecture, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable operations.

Mr. Rashad Hasanli, Senior Director of Network Technologies at Azerconnect Group Azerbaijan, shared the company’s strategic framework and practical results in green network development. He introduced the plan on future green optimization, up to GSMA Intelligence standards, covering infrastructure transformation such as base station, machine room, and power station. Through a three-phase approach of ” Simplified sites + AI-driven + Digitalization”, Azerconnect Group has streamlined its network architecture, resulting in significant energy efficiency, operational, and cost benefits.

Technological Innovation: AI Empowerment Accelerates Green Development
Mr. David Yu, General Manager of Green Network Domain at Huawei, appreciated industry organizations like the TM Forum and GSMA Intelligence for actively promoting green industry development and emphasized the important role of technological innovation in enabling sustainable development across vertical industries. In the face of resource challenges brought by the explosive growth of AI, Huawei advocates a series of solutions, including green sites, green central office, green supply, and green power station, to unlock the significant energy-saving and space potential of current communication networks, supporting the development of new business models. Through digital modeling and surveying, AI-based comprehensive planning, and end-to-end digital delivery capabilities, Huawei ensures that networks are modernized accurately, quickly, and securely. Green is the foundation of high-quality development, and green innovation provides continuous momentum for operators to save on operational costs, develop their businesses, and maintain a competitive edge. The ICT industry is accelerating its journey toward Net-zero goals.

Looking Ahead: Unleash Value in Industry Green Transformation
From the TM Forum’s zero-carbon network architecture blueprint to the Green Network Index (GNI), as well as the practical cases from operators like Singtel, CTS, and Azerconnect Group, and Huawei’s achievements in technological innovation and collaborative development, all highlight the telecommunications industry’s determination and action in promoting sustainable development. Through standardization, technological innovation, and industry collaboration, the industry not only contributes to global efforts against climate change but also creates broader commercial value and more sustainable growth opportunities for itself. A green network is not just a responsibility, it is an opportunity that will empower various industries to jointly stride toward a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Digicel Group and Symptai Consulting Limited have joined forces to offer businesses better access to world-class solutions and experts to support all their technology needs. This milestone builds on Digicel’s initial stake in Symptai, acquired in December 2021, and underscores the Group’s continued commitment to driving secure digital growth and transformation across the region.

Symptai, a leading technology advisory and cybersecurity consultancy firm, boasts a 27-year track record as regional experts in cybersecurity, data privacy and protection, anti-money laundering, risk and compliance, and digital transformation. With Digicel Business’ mobile and ICT solutions, Symptai’s deep expertise supporting governments, financial institutions and large enterprises will continue to enhance Digicel’s business solutions across the Caribbean.

“This is a major step forward in strengthening Digicel’s capabilities in cybersecurity, data privacy and digital transformation,” said Liam Donnelly, Chief Business Officer, Digicel Group. “For over five years, Digicel has been a pioneer in the cyber and SOC (security operation centre) services for businesses and now we’re taking it to the next level. Globally, there’s a dearth of cyber expertise, so you can imagine across the Caribbean, with a population of about 45 million people, the demand is great. Now, with the combined expertise of Digicel and Symptai, there is an even larger pool of knowledge and experts to better serve our customers and have even greater reach across the region and beyond.”

“Symptai and Digicel have been working in tandem for a number of years now and as a business partner, Digicel has everything you could want for your company,” said Marlon Cooper, CEO, Symptai Consulting. “The technology, the network, the consultants, the partners (locally and internationally) are all there, which means that whether you’re a small, medium or large-sized business, we have the products, services and people to meet you where you are, and also to help you as you scale.”

Now that Symptai is fully part of the Digicel Business family, customers can expect a seamless and strengthened value proposition—backed by Digicel’s global strategic partners and Symptai’s proven experience. This unified approach positions Digicel Business as the leading technology partner for businesses of all sizes, not just in Jamaica, but throughout the region.

Digicel Business and Symptai Consulting remain committed to delivering greater value and stronger security solutions to customers, empowering Caribbean businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

ENDS

About Digicel

Enabling customers to live, work, play and flourish in a connected world, Digicel’s world class LTE and fibre networks deliver state-of-the-art mobile, home and business solutions.

Serving 10 million consumer and business customers in 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America, our investments of over US$5 billion and a commitment to our communities through our Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have contributed to positive outcomes for over 2 million people to date.

With our Connecting. Empowering vision at the heart of everything we do – supported by our DIGI values of Diversity, Integrity, Growth and Innovation – our 5,000 employees worldwide work together to make that a powerful reality for customers, communities and countries day in, day out.

Digicel Business provides end-to-end fully managed business solutions with its robust network, expert resources and cutting-edge technology. These all work in synergy with one aim – efficiencies across businesses, large or small. Partnering with industry-leaders to deliver innovative products and technology, Digicel Business’ consultative approach to customer engagement ensures the best possible solutions for all businesses.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The UK government has today announced that their Data Use and Access Bill has become law (Royal Assent), which pledges to inject £10bn into the British economy over 10-years by, among other things, supporting personalised market comparisons for utility pricing and putting a new digital map of underground broadband cables and pipes on a “statutory footing“.

Improving the sharing of sensitive personal data tends to be a tedious area for the government, which doesn’t necessarily have the best history of keeping our private information safe and secure. Nevertheless, the government is keen to create the right conditions to support the future of open banking and the growth of new smart data schemes, while also cutting down on bureaucracy (admin) for police officers and the NHS etc.

However, our focus in all this is more on those aspects of the new Act that bleed into the UK telecoms (broadband, phone and mobile) sector, particularly where it has relevance to future network deployments and consumer services. Some of this is reflected in the aforementioned focus on “smart data schemes” – models that allow consumers and businesses to safely share information about them with regulated and authorised third parties.

For example, price comparison sites could use all this to generate “hyper personalised experiences” (i.e. tailored comparisons of broadband and mobile packages) and financial advice to help cut costs. In theory, such legislation might similarly allow consumers to view all of their bills in one place or introduce easier management across accounts, which could potentially be designed specifically for vulnerable consumers.

Government Statement

For example, consumers will be able to share data on their energy usage which will help create more accurate price comparisons, informing what utility provider best suits their needs. This measure will give consumers the ability to compare utility prices, find better deals, and reduce their energy use, as well as foster tech innovation and boost competition, which will ultimately grow the UK economy.

On the other hand, personalised pricing remains a bit of a minefield, which may end up resulting in some people paying more for the same service and thus growing a risk of “unfair” price discrimination. Ofcom’s 2020 research into this found that most people “felt personalised pricing was ‘unfair’, with a lack of transparency about how the price would be calculated and uncertainty about whether they had a good deal.” Time will tell.

The law also puts the Government’s new National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) – developed alongside Ordnance Survey (OS) and Atkins – on a statutory footing, which is a digital UK map of underground pipes and cables (broadband, water etc.) that is partly designed to help reduce accidental damage.

Government Statement

[The NUAR] will allow construction workers to instantly see their exact location – information which currently takes six days to access. Slashing the average data-sharing process to six seconds, workers in the field will have quick access to a rich view of buried assets, helping them make more informed decisions on how to carry out works safely and efficiently – speeding up roadworks and closures and reducing delays for those on the road.

Put another way, more than 600 asset owners will now be required to share their data with NUAR, supporting the safe digging industry. According to Richard Broome of LSBUD, a UK safe digging service, the development is “really pleasing for the safe digging community“.

Richard added that there was “much more still to be done, [but] the fact this milestone has been reached enables the voice of the safe digging industry to be fully heard at a level that it has never been before. At LSBUD we are actively engaged with the NUAR team, and the collaboration the safe digging industry is calling for is building momentum.”

Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:

“For too long, previous governments have been sitting on a goldmine of data, wasting a powerful resource which can be used to help families juggle food costs, slash tedious life admin, and make our NHS and police work smarter. These new laws will finally unleash that power for hardworking people – putting cash back in pockets and boosting vital public services, all part of our Plan for Change.”

The NUAR itself is currently in the process of entering its public beta phase. However, the UK Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) did previously warn the government against putting the NUAR on a statutory footing before it’s truly “fit for purpose, proportionate and can fully deliver on expectations“; it’s perhaps not quite at that stage.. yet.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Oslo, June 19, 2025: The company is founded in Norway by successful telco founders Raymond Berntsen and Henning Solberg, who bring decades of industry experience to the company. With this new venture, they aim to provide modern, future-proof connectivity for IoT-driven businesses across the globe. IXT operates as a full MVNO with its own core network infrastructure, spanning multiple continents.

“Our mission is to simplify IoT connectivity for our customers,” says Henning Solberg, co-founder, CEO and CTO of IXT. “By building our own core network, we have full control over the technology and the services we can offer. With IXT, customers get SIM cards that connect their IoT devices — with all the flexibility, performance and security features the market expects today.”

Powering the connected industries of tomorrow
IXT enters a competitive market, but one that’s growing fast. As more industries go digital, the demand for IoT connectivity is accelerating across a wide range of sectors. IXT targets customers in smart cities, electric mobility, logistics, energy, agriculture, and industrial automation. Industries where secure, reliable, and flexible connectivity is business-critical and must work seamlessly across borders.

“We’re a challenger brand with strong technical foundations and a clear vision to become a leading provider of global IoT connectivity,” says Raymond Berntsen, CSO of IXT.

“Our solutions give customers the ability to scale internationally — and we reflect that by building an experienced and knowledgeable team with presence both in Norway and abroad.”

IXT’s platform leverages multi-IMSI and eSIM capabilities, providing seamless access to over 600 mobile networks across 190+ countries, with advanced mitigation for permanent roaming restrictions. The company’s SecureNet solution offers enterprise-grade private networking, VPNs, and direct cloud integration (AWS, Azure, GCP), ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance.

Built in Norway. Ready for the world.
IXT is headquartered in Norway with subsidiaries in Sweden, Netherlands, and Germany. Further expansion with local presence in the US and Asia is already underway.

“We’re ambitious and believe we’re launching at exactly the right time. What makes this unique is that we’re building a next-generation core network from scratch in 2025,” says Solberg.

“The market and technology have evolved dramatically since last time we did this — and that allows us to deliver a connectivity platform built for tomorrow’s needs. We’re combining the best of security, flexibility and global reach while simplifying complexity for our customers. That means businesses can focus on innovation and growth, without worrying about technical limitations or borders.”

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Brussels – 19 June 2025 – Proximus Global’s new consumer research [LINK] reveals low awareness and adoption of eSIMs in the US, UK, and China. However, nearly half of the consumers expressed interest in using an eSIM for travel after learning about its benefits. This presents a growing opportunity for mobile operators and travel-related businesses to offer Travel eSIM solutions to consumers.

A survey of over 6,500 adults in the US, UK, and China conducted by data analyst specialists YouGov found that only 33% of consumers globally are aware of what an eSIM is, while 42% are unsure if their phone includes one. Awareness is notably low in the US, where 52% of respondents reported having no knowledge of eSIM technology. China ranked slightly ahead of the UK and US for usage, with 27% of Chinese consumers polled reporting having tried eSIM in the past.

A Travel eSIM is a SIM card embedded directly into the mobile device that allows people to connect globally to local networks while travelling. The technology is widely available on many popular handsets including Apple, Samsung, Google and Huawei, and solves the need for physical SIM card placement in devices.

The findings indicate a significant gap between consumer awareness and the commercial potential for businesses that provide travel eSIM services. Almost half of consumers (49%) are open to using eSIMs to more effectively manage mobile connectivity while traveling abroad. This percentage is even higher in the UK and China, at 56% and 60% respectively. 

Consumers are flexible about where they would buy Travel eSIMs. Over a third (36%) would consider purchasing from non-traditional carriers like supermarkets, airlines, or travel websites. Companies like Revolut, Nord VPN, and Carrefour have already launched such services.

“Our research highlights the significant potential for brands in the global travel eSIM market,” said Surash Patel, Chief Revenue Officer at Proximus Global. “Demand for eSIM technology is rapidly increasing. Companies that act now will be well-positioned to capture substantial market share. This opportunity isn’t limited to telcos; with the right partner, establishing an eSIM offering is straightforward. Retail and travel brands can leverage their customer base to drive adoption and explore cross-selling opportunities for travel eSIMs.”

“To secure leadership in the expanding global travel eSIM market, businesses must prioritize developing innovative eSIM-enabled services that cater to the evolving needs of travelers, while also focusing on consumer education,” stated Jorn Vercamert, Chief Product Officer at Proximus Global. “By closing the awareness gap, stakeholders can unlock the full potential of this untapped market opportunity.”*

About Proximus Global

Proximus Global, combining the strengths of Telesign, BICS, and Route Mobile, is transforming the future of communications and digital identity. Together, our solutions fuel innovation across the world’s largest companies and emerging brands. Our unrivaled global reach empowers businesses to create engaging experiences with built-in fraud protection across the entire customer lifecycle. Our comprehensive suite of solutions – from our super network for voice, messaging, and data, to 5G and IoT; and from verification and intelligence to CPaaS for personalized omnichannel engagement – enables businesses and communities to thrive. Reaching over 5 billion subscribers, securing more than 180 billion transactions annually, and connecting 1,000+ destinations, we honor our commitment to connect, protect and engage everyone, everywhere. 

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has posted an update on their investigation into the performance of the new consumer broadband and phone switching system (One Touch Switching). This found no major problems with the biggest ISPs but did warn that some providers on Openreach’s network were using an “alternative switching method“, which they said must stop.

Just to recap. The OTS service finally went live on 12th September 2024 after many delays. The goal of this was to make it both quicker and easier for consumers to change their provider (regardless of what network they’re on). All of this is being managed through a central messaging platform via the industry-led One Touch Switching Company (TOTSCo). As of 6th June 2025, a total of 1.13 million successful switches had already completed.

However, one of the biggest challenges of this system has flowed from the difficulty of getting the “matching process” to work properly, which exists to ensure that customer switches are correctly verified and then migrated between providers. But this process still has a tendency to fail, sometimes even when Gaining Providers have entered the correct customer data, and it’s not always easy for providers to figure out why.

According to the latest switching data, some 333 brands are now live on the platform that TOTSCo has developed (a few smaller providers are still dragging their feet) and the daily switch match success rate continues to hover between around 65% to 68% (this hasn’t improved much since the start of 2025). But these figures don’t tell the whole story, as some failed switches will still get approved later, after corrections are made.

Nevertheless, Ofcom has been busy examining this problem since January 2025 as part of their wider Enforcement Programme (here), which largely focused on the performance of the biggest fixed line broadband and phone providers (BT, Sky Broadband, Vodafone, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Vodafone).

The regulator has today posted an update on that effort, which seems to give the biggest players a pass by finding only small issues that require no further action “at this time“. But they did uncover an issue with the use of alternative switching methods, albeit without providing much elaboration. This could easily reflect how some providers may still be following the old process or using an alternative to get around issues with TOTSCo’s platform.

Ofcom Statement

In January, we issued a formal information request to each of BT, Sky, Vodafone, TalkTalk, VMO2 and Vodafone following potential issues affecting matching rates between certain providers. It is crucial that customers do not experience obstructions when attempting to switch away from their current provider. A key purpose of our information request was to analyse whether providers’ One Touch Switch (OTS) systems and processes are functioning correctly on both a Gaining and Losing Provider basis.

Based on the evidence we have collected we have found that, across industry as a whole, the majority of customers are successfully switching providers using OTS. There are some variable matching success rates between providers, however we do not feel that these variations represent concerns that would require further action at this time. We will nevertheless continue to monitor this.

Our analysis also found that some Gaining Providers on the Openreach network are switching customers using an alternative switching method other than OTS when repeated match attempts via OTS have failed.

Under General Conditions C7.18 – C7.27, providers must maintain a single switching process – One Touch Switch – for relevant switching customers. OTS is the only switching process for residential customers switching fixed services which is compliant with the General Conditions; it provides easy, quick, reliable switching which protect consumers and supports competition across all networks. Any providers using alternative switching processes must therefore take immediate steps to stop their use of these.

We are aware that there are some scenarios where an attempted customer switch may result in a match failure, and that one customer may experience multiple match failures, through no fault of the Gaining Provider.

In this scenario, it is our expectation that a provider should use all reasonable endeavours to carry out a switch using OTS. For example, if an online order fails to acquire a successful match, then it is our expectation that customers should be directed to alternative channels (e.g. phone support) to assist with the match. Should these still not result in a successful match, then it will not be possible to switch the customer. The only course of action – if the customer wishes to proceed – is for the customer to cease the service with their existing provider and for the new provider to provide a new service. This is commonly referred to as “cease and re-provide”.

We expect providers in this scenario to clearly explain to the prospective customer that they must contact their existing provider directly to cancel their current contract.

Ofcom has also notified the biggest providers of their findings and added that they would “consider enforcement action” against providers that continue to use a non-OTS switching method.

“We strongly encourage providers to continue their efforts to improve match success rates and consider whether any aspects of the customer journey could be improved to increase the number of successful OTS switches in order to keep the need for cease and re-provide as minimal as possible,” added the regulator.

The regulator has thus far been taking a fairly soft approach to enforcement, which may be partly in recognition of the fact that integration and development of TOTSCo’s platform has been a complex and difficult task for the market.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News

She replaces the outgoing Luka Mucic, who held the position for roughly two years

Today, Vodafone Group has announced that it has appointed Microsoft’s Pilar López as Chief Financial Officer.

For the last decade, López has held various roles at Microsoft, including chief operating officer for Western Europe and country lead for Spain. For the past two years, she has served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, overseeing Microsoft’s relationship with the London Stock Exchange Group.

She is also a veteran of the telecoms industry, having spent 16 years at Telefonica prior to her move to Microsoft.

Lopez will take up the role from 1 October 2025, with her formal appointment on December 1, 2025.

“I am delighted that Pilar will be joining Vodafone in October,” said Vodafone chief executive Margherita Della Valle. “She has deep-rooted knowledge of both the telecoms and technology sectors, across a range of international leadership positions.”

Lopez replaces Luka Mucic, who is moving to become CEO of real estate development firm Vonovia at the end of November. Mucic will be the shortest-serving CFO in the company’s history, having joined the company in September 2023.

In a LinkedIn post, López thanked her colleagues from the past decade and expressed her excitement at joining Vodafone.

“I am thrilled to be going back to the telecommunication industry and to finance at this pivotal time, and join Vodafone, a company and a brand I have always admired. I would like to thank Margherita Della Valle and the Board for the confidence, and look forward to joining the team in October.”

According to reports, Lopez’s base salary will be £725,000, with the possibility of bonuses of up to 200%.

How is the UK’s telecoms market changing in 2025? Join the industry in discussion at Connected Britain, the UK’s largest digital economy event

Also in the news:
SWR deploys Europe’s first ’Rail-5G’ Wi-Fi  
BT accelerates fibre rollout amid cost cuts
AT&T agrees $5.75 billion deal for Lumen’s consumer fibre asset