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☆ 5 tips to keep your 5G network secure
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Chris Stokel-Walker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

To keep your enterprise 5G network secure, start by choosing a reputable provider. Whether you use those providers for your enterprise 5G network or build your own private 5G network, it's important to keep things secure. Update regularly, and use multifactor authenticationIt's one thing to build your 5G network securely — it's another challenge to keep it safe. "Ensure all devices connected to the 5G network are regularly updated to patch known vulnerabilities," he said. For that reason, education should be a huge part of keeping your 5G network secure.

Persons: —, Sandeep Raithatha, Alan Woodward, Woodward, eSIMs, Parm Sandhu, Sandhu, Alan Jones, Keith Brownsword Organizations: Service, Ericsson, 5G, Virgin Media O2, University of Surrey, NTT Ltd, 5G's Locations: Ireland

Telefonica and Liberty Global have been working with advisers on the sale of up to half of their combined 50% stake in Cornerstone. Vodafone (VOD.L) owns the rest of the business through its Frankfurt-based subsidiary Vantage Towers (VTWRn.H). Spokespeople for Telefonica, Liberty Global, Virgin Media O2 and GLIL declined to comment. Cornerstone, established in 2012, is Britain's largest tower company, managing more than 20,000 sites, according to the company's website. In recent years infrastructure and private equity investors have competed for slices in some of the largest tower deals, including Deutsche Telekom's sale of a majority stake in GD Towers, because of their stable cash yield and long-term contracts.

Persons: Phil Noble, Amy, Jo Crowley, Andres Gonzalez, Paul Sandle, Helen Popper Our Organizations: REUTERS, Virgin Media O2, Liberty Global, Telefonica, Cornerstone, Vodafone, Deutsche, GD, Thomson Locations: Blackpool, Britain, Frankfurt

☆ I Didn't Go to College and Saved Money; No Regrets
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementAt 18, I was finishing my level-three media-production qualification — similar to a high-school diploma — at Ashton College in Manchester. But I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on my family, and I wanted to be independent. AdvertisementAdvertisementI don't feel like I'm missing out on the university experienceI've got friends who are or have been in university, and I feel I'm in a better position than them. I wasn't interested in the university nightlife scene, so didn't feel I was missing out on this. But for project management, the experience and qualification I'm getting is what's essential.

Persons: Lewis Potts, Potts, —, you'd, I'd, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Ashton College, Virgin Media O2, Virgin Media, Virgin Locations: Manchester, Glossop

☆ UK's Virgin Media O2 to lay off up to 2,000 employees by year end
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 24 (Reuters) - British mobile operator Virgin Media O2 said on Monday it was planning to lay off up to 2,000 employees by the end of this year. The company is a joint venture between the US-listed Liberty Global (LBTYA.O) and Spain's Telefonica (TEF.MC). Its rival BT Group (BT.L), Britain's biggest broadband and mobile provider, had cut 55,000 roles or more than 40% of its workforce in May. Earlier this month, the country's communications regulator Ofcom opened a probe, following complaints from users that the mobile operator was making it tough to cancel services. ($1 = 0.9041 euros)Reporting by Urvi Dugar and Mrinmay Dey in BengaluruOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Urvi Dugar, Mrinmay Dey Organizations: Virgin Media O2, Telegraph, Liberty Global, Spain's Telefonica, BT Group, Britain's, . Liberty Global, Vodafone, Ofcom, Thomson Locations: British, Bengaluru

Vodafone and CK Hutchison, which owns the Three UK mobile network, agreed to merge their U.K. businesses, following talks that have been ongoing since last year, the companies said Wednesday. Vodafone will own 51% of the combined business, leaving CK Hutchison the minority stake. "This long-awaited mega merger represents the biggest shake-up in the UK mobile market for over a decade," Kester Mann, director for consumer and connectivity at CCS Insight said in emailed comments. Current Vodafone UK CEO Ahmed Essam will lead the new enterprise, while the present Three UK Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Darren Purkis will assume the CFO position at the merged business. BT acquired EE in 2016, while Telefonica and Liberty Global launched Virgin Media O2 in 2021.

Persons: CK Hutchison, Kester Mann, Ahmed Essam, Darren Purkis, Nick Read, Margherita Della Valle Organizations: Vodafone, CK, CK Hutchison, Insight, BT, Virgin Media O2, EE, O2, Telefonica, Liberty Global, Markets Authority, CMA, Activision Blizzard

☆ BT to cut up to 55,000 jobs by 2030 as fibre and AI arrive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

By that time, the bulk of its full-fibre network build will be completed. But free cash flow (FCF) fell 5% to 1.3 billion pounds, at the lower end of its guidance, due to increased cash capital expenditure. Forecasts for free cash flow for 2024 were also lighter than analysts had expected. It has been investing heavily to build out its fibre network faster than rival Virgin Media O2 and smaller "alt nets". BT said it expected to grow both revenue and core earnings on a pro forma basis this year.

☆ UK mobile users spending millions on smartphones they've already paid for, Virgin Media O2 says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But some customers fail to switch contracts after the handset has been paid off, despite being notified by their network. The operator said its survey showed 93% of customers were unaware they could be charged for handsets they'd paid off, with older and lower-income consumers most impacted. Rivals BT's EE, Vodafone and Three said they offered split contracts and provided clear information. "Like VMO2 we offer split contracts with EE Flexpay, while providing all customers with clear end-of-contract notifications, including the best offer for them based on their usage," a BT Consumer spokesperson said. A Three spokesperson said the company already offered split contracts where customers can take out a loan to pay for their device, which is separate to their monthly airtime payments.

☆ Factbox: What is embattled British business group the CBI?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Below is some information about the CBI and its role:WHAT IS THE CBI? Founded in 1965, the CBI is Britain's top business lobby group. A not-for-profit organisation, the CBI says it represents 190,000 businesses employing nearly 7 million people, including many of Britain's biggest companies. In his speech, Sunak called the CBI "a valued institution in this country and a powerful voice for business". A spokesperson for NatWest said the bank had no confidence in the CBI's capacity to be a strong representative voice for British business at present.

[1/2] A Confederation of British Industry (CBI) logo is seen during their annual conference in London, Britain November 9, 2015. "While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police," CBI President Brian McBride said. Virgin Media O2 criticised how the CBI had dealt with the allegations. Aviva (AV.L) and two other insurers, Phoenix Group and Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S), also quit on Friday along with asset manager Schroders. Accountancy firm PWC suspended activity with the CBI, as has telecoms company BT Group, while bank Santander said it was reviewing its membership.

☆ UK telecoms firm Virgin Media suffers widespread outages
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, April 4 (Reuters) - British telecoms firm Virgin Media said on Tuesday there was an issue impacting its broadband services, after thousands of customers reported widespread problems with internet access and the group's website also appeared to be down. There were more than 28,000 reports of Virgin Media outages on the Downdetector website as of Tuesday morning, beginning in the early hours, with most users reporting that their internet was not working. "We're aware of an issue that is affecting broadband services for Virgin Media customers as well as our contact centres," Virgin Media said on Twitter. Virgin Media O2 is owned by Liberty Global (LBTYA.O) and Spain's Telefonica (TEF.MC). Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, Andy Bruce and Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UK's Ofcom delays BT fibre pricing decision after CEO remarks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rivals such as Virgin Media O2 and alternative fibre providers known as altnets are investing billions of pounds to build competing networks. 'SIGNIFICANT CONCERN'But comments made by BT Chief Executive Philip Jansen to the Financial Times - headlined "BT chief warns Openreach fibre push will 'end in tears' for rivals" - caused "significant concern", Ofcom said. Ofcom chief Melanie Dawes said in a letter to Jansen, published on Friday, that the regulator was committed to network competition. "They must question why BT Group is reducing its wholesale charges whilst increasing the prices that consumers pay for broadband," INCA said. BT's earlier wholesale pricing, Equinox, was challenged by altnet CityFibre, but Ofcom decided not to intervene.

CTIL is attracting interest from pension funds including Britain's largest, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which has started preliminary work on a potential offer, two of the sources said. Telefonica, Liberty Global and USS declined to comment. A number of telecom towers deals in Europe have seen infrastructure investors compete for a slice of the continent’s largest towers networks partly because of their stable cash yield and long-term contracts. Vodafone (VOD.L) owns 50% of CTIL through its Frankfurt-based subsidiary Vantage Towers (VTWRn.DE), and is not planning to cut its holding, the people said. Telefonica and Liberty Global do not plan to ask Vantage Towers to bid for the holding for competitive reasons, according to the sources.

☆ Britain's BT combines two units in $122 mln cost savings drive
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BT is aiming to take fibre broadband to 25 million premises by 2026 in a race with rival Virgin Media O2 and smaller alternative networks. The company said the new unit BT Business would be formed by putting together its Global and Enterprise divisions and would be led by Bas Burger, the current CEO of BT's Global unit. Philip Jansen, BT's chief executive, said that the new structure would benefit corporate customers by improving innovation and delivery. The 100 million pounds of savings would come from combining the management teams, support functions, product portfolios and systems of the two units. ($1 = 0.8197 pounds)Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Telehealth is soaring. Here's how telecommunications companies are racing to help patients through 5G technology.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Nicholas Fearn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

During the difficult months of lockdown, many healthcare professionals conducted nonemergency appointments remotely to protect their patients and prevent COVID from spreading even further. Sanjiv Gossain, the group vice president and head of EMEA at Verizon Business, said that 5G technology will help the healthcare industry solve some of its biggest challenges. 5G use is increasing in health servicesMore companies are joining the effort to make healthcare more accessible through 5G technology. Joe Drygas, the vice president of healthcare solutions at AT&T, said that 5G will allow even more people to access healthcare globally. While cost and infrastructural challenges remain, 5G technology has already begun to transform healthtech and patient care.

☆ Economic pain is so bad right now that more companies are handing out up to $2,800 in inflation bonuses to keep their lowest-paid workers afloat
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

UK firms such as Virgin Media O2 and Monzo are handing out inflation bonuses to staff. This follows US businesses handing out one-off payments this summer to help workers. A growing number of firms globally are handing out one-off bonuses of up to $2,800 to keep lower-paid workers afloat as inflation outstrips pay and pushes prices higher. And UK banks such as Nationwide, Barclays, HSBC and Monzo are all offering one-off bonuses to staff. Although firms handing out cash is a significant and unusual move, workers rights' representatives say it isn't enough.

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