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Outgoing O2 CEO says Britain will be left behind in 5G race |
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#1 |
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Outgoing O2 CEO says Britain will be left behind in 5G race
In an irony filled interview with the FT outgoing O2 CEO Ronan Dunne said Britain risks being left behind in the 5G race due to excessive planning restrictions. Dunne who has been working at O2 for 15 years in various roles and has been in charge of O2's woeful 3G roll out and belated 4G attempt to catch up. Yet pesky planning laws didn't stop Three and EE doing a good job with 3G and in EE's case 4G. Quote:
UK must switch off ‘analogue’ thinking or lose 5G race, says outgoing O2 chief https://www.ft.com/content/eb2dc91e-...4-f193b105145e
Wireless chief warns planning laws undermine 5G race and digital economy Britain risks being left behind in the 5G race to build smart cities unless the government overhauls outdated planning laws, one of the country’s most senior telecoms executives has warned. The outgoing head of mobile carrier O2 called on the UK to rethink the way it is planning to install the ultrafast fixed and wireless broadband networks required to support technologies of the future such as driverless cars. Ronan Dunne, who takes up his new role as head of the US’s Verizon Wireless on Monday after nearly a decade at the helm of O2, urged prime minister Theresa May to underpin her new industrial strategy by shaking up regulation of the country’s digital infrastructure. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said the challenge for the UK was that it was using “old industrial policy” to regulate and build “policy for the future”. He argued that Google’s decision to spread broadband through wireless technology rather than fibre-optic cable was the sort of innovation Britain could miss out on due to “analogue” thinking. He said Britian needed to focus on its digital economy and make its “invisible assets … front and centre”. “We need to have policies about that reality, not that simply tinker and iterate analogue policy,” he added. “The first 10 years of television was radio in front of the camera. That’s exactly where we are in this digital revolution. People are adapting the technology to do what they’ve always done. The real opportunity is from ground up to re-envisage what the experience should be, what the process should be — that will be the step change,” he said. The Digital Economy Bill, which had its second reading last week, proposes changes to planning applications to speed up the installation of new masts and cables across the country. The changes follow years of pressure from telecoms companies such as BT and Vodafone calling on the government to update planning regulations and laws regarding access to masts and cables on private land. However, Mr Dunne said a more “radical overhaul” was required heading into the race for 5G networks — needed to support future communications as well as “smart city” technologies. He said that 5G may require up to 500,000 small mobile masts to support that level of connectivity in London alone. “It’s simply impossible to imagine a system that currently exists that could process 500,000 applications — never mind adopting a completely different approach to delivering the next generation of technology,” he said. “In the longer-term, we will forget this stupid debate about rolling out fibre cables,” he said of the copper versus fibre debate in UK broadband. Mr Dunne added that wireless technology would also be privately funded. “The UK taxpayers have to pay BT for digging holes in the ground which doesn’t make a lot of sense in this day and age,” he said. The real risk for Britain, according to Mr Dunne, is that countries like the US, where he will now be working, have a more advanced approach to network development. “My sense is that there’s a more forward-looking context for the delivery of regulation and policy there, which is adopting the notion of a digitally-led mobile first,” he said. The department for culture, media and sport said: “We are already among the most digitally connected countries in the world with a globally successful digital economy. We will continue to work with leading figures in the industry to develop a digital strategy to help boost growth and productivity and make sure this remains the case.” |
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#2 |
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Don't worry, the EC will sort it for us, seeing as we're members of the EU! http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/2016/...mbers-by-2025/
Oh, wait.... |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Quote:
“In the longer-term, we will forget this stupid debate about rolling out fibre cables,” he said of the copper versus fibre debate in UK broadband. Mr Dunne added that wireless technology would also be privately funded. “The UK taxpayers have to pay BT for digging holes in the ground which doesn’t make a lot of sense in this day and age,” he said.
For 5G to be even remotely credible for home internet access, they'll be putting small cells on every telegraph and electricity pole going. How will they do the backhaul? Fibre, or pure magic? Who will provide it? BT and their "holes"?If they can get the fibre to the pole across the road from me, they might as well keep going and put it in my house... |
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#4 |
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Quote:
Don't worry, the EC will sort it for us, seeing as we're members of the EU! http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/2016/...mbers-by-2025/
Oh, wait.... See Brexit isn't such a bad thing after all..... |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Aug 2001
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I think headline should be:
"Outgoing O2 CEO says O2 will be left behind in 5G race"
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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Idiot.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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Quote:
I think headline should be:
"Outgoing O2 CEO says O2 will be left behind in 5G race" ![]() If three also disappear, we're all going to be pretty much relying on BT for investment. Let's hope the government is setting aside a lot of tax payers money to pay for stuff, because BT prefers to invest our cash in their projects and keep their cash for pissing away on things like sports. |
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#8 |
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Quote:
Care to elaborate?
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#9 |
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Quote:
Care to elaborate?
![]() I just think it's a bit rich moaning about the UK falling behind when O2 haven't even got a good 3G network about 20 years after the technology launched. Apologies for any confusion. |
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#10 |
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Quote:
If Telefonica gets there way, O2 will never be in the race.
If three also disappear, we're all going to be pretty much relying on BT for investment. Let's hope the government is setting aside a lot of tax payers money to pay for stuff, because BT prefers to invest our cash in their projects and keep their cash for pissing away on things like sports. I feel the same on BT. I have just taken a 2 year contract on EE as I feel there is enough distance at the moment before BT starts poisoning the chalice. We will see come renewal time. Also dependent on how VO2 rollout is going by then. It is quite ridiculous how much money BT have invested in getting things onto BT Sport at the expense of proper infrastructure and are now finding that not many people want it so are having to bundle in these time out deals which essentially rely on people being too lazy to cancel rather than choosing the product in the first place. Typical BT. |
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#11 |
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Quote:
Have to agree. Letting O2 and 3 join up would have at least given some competition to EE assuming customers could roam over both. Would have been tricky but a decent network I think.
I feel the same on BT. I have just taken a 2 year contract on EE as I feel there is enough distance at the moment before BT starts poisoning the chalice. We will see come renewal time. Also dependent on how VO2 rollout is going by then. It is quite ridiculous how much money BT have invested in getting things onto BT Sport at the expense of proper infrastructure and are now finding that not many people want it so are having to bundle in these time out deals which essentially rely on people being too lazy to cancel rather than choosing the product in the first place. Typical BT. My concern is where is the competition going to come from to challenge BTEE in the future. Not many competitors will fancy their chances against BT who are broadly supported by the UK government, even though gov and regulators will never admit it. They play tough for the media, they talk about breaking BT up - but always with fresh conditions and never any intention to do it. And at the same time they approve of deals like the EE one that just gives BT even more power. It is ludicrous. |
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#12 |
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Sorry, not you. The CEO!
![]() I just think it's a bit rich moaning about the UK falling behind when O2 haven't even got a good 3G network about 20 years after the technology launched. Apologies for any confusion.
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#13 |
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I'm not convinced we need 5G. Just decent and *reliable* 4G coverage.
A reliable 10 or 20 meg signal over as much as the UK as possible is much better than an impressive sounding headling 5G speed only available in a few places.... |
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#14 |
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You can imagine the meeting of the regulator.
Chairman: Ok guys we have a proposal from BT. This company has shown over time that they are not at all interested in infrastructure investment. They have serious customer service issues and have totally screwed the UK in terms of broadband rollout. In short, they are useless but on the flip side, we need to look at who has share holdings in them. Anyway, they want to buy EE, probably the best mobile network in the UK as of today. Initially formed as the upstart Orange in response to Vodafone and Cellnet (owned by BT) ripping off customers with per minute billing and failing to roll out digital technology. EE has continued to invest in mobile technology roll out which will probably grind to a halt under BT and eventually the brand will be sold off in tatters circa 2025. Any spare revenue will have been directed into paying vast amounts to lady men in shorts falling over and crying, which nobody wants to watch. Board: Mumble mumble. Sounds fine to me. Propose we accept. Vote: Unanimous. Chairman: Right, next item. O2 is rubbish and have failed to invest anything in 3G but they did land a tasty 2G license on account of being owned by BT back in the day and stroking a few (don't minute that bit). 3 is also rubbish as although they have tried hard and invested heavily, they simply don't have the low frequency spectrum to provide a solid voice service over the UK. These 2 want to merge and form a network which has the advantages of both and can compete properly with BT/EE. Board: Much grumbling. Doesn't sound good for the consumer at all. 2 good networks? Whatever next? Propose we object on the grounds of unfair competition. Vote: Unanimous. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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Quote:
You can imagine the meeting of the regulator.
Chairman: Ok guys we have a proposal from BT. This company has shown over time that they are not at all interested in infrastructure investment. They have serious customer service issues and have totally screwed the UK in terms of broadband rollout. In short, they are useless but on the flip side, we need to look at who has share holdings in them. Anyway, they want to buy EE, probably the best mobile network in the UK as of today. Initially formed as the upstart Orange in response to Vodafone and Cellnet (owned by BT) ripping off customers with per minute billing and failing to roll out digital technology. EE has continued to invest in mobile technology roll out which will probably grind to a halt under BT and eventually the brand will be sold off in tatters circa 2025. Any spare revenue will have been directed into paying vast amounts to lady men in shorts falling over and crying, which nobody wants to watch. Board: Mumble mumble. Sounds fine to me. Propose we accept. Vote: Unanimous. Chairman: Right, next item. O2 is rubbish and have failed to invest anything in 3G but they did land a tasty 2G license on account of being owned by BT back in the day and stroking a few (don't minute that bit). 3 is also rubbish as although they have tried hard and invested heavily, they simply don't have the low frequency spectrum to provide a solid voice service over the UK. These 2 want to merge and form a network which has the advantages of both and can compete properly with BT/EE. Board: Much grumbling. Doesn't sound good for the consumer at all. 2 good networks? Whatever next? Propose we object on the grounds of unfair competition. Vote: Unanimous. ![]() There was some merit to opposing it on the grounds that less operators equals less overall competition for consumers, and thus results in higher prices for consumers. But the BTEE deal was a game-changer that really should have led to different thinking on the O2/Three option. I think the future looks pretty bleak for mobile users over here, and not for the reasons given by the outgoing O2 CEO. |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Oct 2015
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Quote:
You can imagine the meeting of the regulator.
Chairman: Ok guys we have a proposal from BT. This company has shown over time that they are not at all interested in infrastructure investment. They have serious customer service issues and have totally screwed the UK in terms of broadband rollout. In short, they are useless but on the flip side, we need to look at who has share holdings in them. Anyway, they want to buy EE, probably the best mobile network in the UK as of today. Initially formed as the upstart Orange in response to Vodafone and Cellnet (owned by BT) ripping off customers with per minute billing and failing to roll out digital technology. EE has continued to invest in mobile technology roll out which will probably grind to a halt under BT and eventually the brand will be sold off in tatters circa 2025. Any spare revenue will have been directed into paying vast amounts to lady men in shorts falling over and crying, which nobody wants to watch. Board: Mumble mumble. Sounds fine to me. Propose we accept. Vote: Unanimous. Chairman: Right, next item. O2 is rubbish and have failed to invest anything in 3G but they did land a tasty 2G license on account of being owned by BT back in the day and stroking a few (don't minute that bit). 3 is also rubbish as although they have tried hard and invested heavily, they simply don't have the low frequency spectrum to provide a solid voice service over the UK. These 2 want to merge and form a network which has the advantages of both and can compete properly with BT/EE. Board: Much grumbling. Doesn't sound good for the consumer at all. 2 good networks? Whatever next? Propose we object on the grounds of unfair competition. Vote: Unanimous. Brilliant! |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 14,541
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Quote:
You can imagine the meeting of the regulator.
Chairman: Ok guys we have a proposal from BT. This company has shown over time that they are not at all interested in infrastructure investment. They have serious customer service issues and have totally screwed the UK in terms of broadband rollout. In short, they are useless but on the flip side, we need to look at who has share holdings in them. Anyway, they want to buy EE, probably the best mobile network in the UK as of today. Initially formed as the upstart Orange in response to Vodafone and Cellnet (owned by BT) ripping off customers with per minute billing and failing to roll out digital technology. EE has continued to invest in mobile technology roll out which will probably grind to a halt under BT and eventually the brand will be sold off in tatters circa 2025. Any spare revenue will have been directed into paying vast amounts to lady men in shorts falling over and crying, which nobody wants to watch. Board: Mumble mumble. Sounds fine to me. Propose we accept. Vote: Unanimous. Chairman: Right, next item. O2 is rubbish and have failed to invest anything in 3G but they did land a tasty 2G license on account of being owned by BT back in the day and stroking a few (don't minute that bit). 3 is also rubbish as although they have tried hard and invested heavily, they simply don't have the low frequency spectrum to provide a solid voice service over the UK. These 2 want to merge and form a network which has the advantages of both and can compete properly with BT/EE. Board: Much grumbling. Doesn't sound good for the consumer at all. 2 good networks? Whatever next? Propose we object on the grounds of unfair competition. Vote: Unanimous. |
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#18 |
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Quote:
That pretty much sums it up.
I thought you professed to have an understanding of the mobile industry? |
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#19 |
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* other people's views may vary on a discussion forum
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#20 |
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#21 |
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Quote:
* other people's views may vary on a discussion forum
The informed and the ignorant?
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#22 |
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I notice the sky lover has to appear here as well bashing BT. Some posters must have connections with some of the organisations they champion, given the tosh they write.
BT Sport was just BT moving into a market that Sky had mastered, however it was Sky moving into BTs market which forced their hand. So really it's not BTs fault they are fighting back. As for the BT network. Yes it was a former national network, however there was no other way to privatise it. You couldn't split it by provider as then yoi could have a farce. BT also have invested serious cash in the network, so why should they be forced to give away services on the cheap? It's the still regulations that hold back much of the investment as BT can't make a profitable return on some projects , by the time the regs have forced them to open it up to others. I was talking to a Virgin Media engineer who works in the Cisco side of things near Manchester. Even he says BT have invested billions in a cracking network and some of it was installed and set up by them. Lol However he did say the problem with fibre to the premises which people forget is in a power cut you have no phone line. That is apparently a problem that is industry wide and really slowing down the series roll out of any project. |
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#23 |
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Quote:
However he did say the problem with fibre to the premises which people forget is in a power cut you have no phone line. That is apparently a problem that is industry wide and really slowing down the series roll out of any project.
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#24 |
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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You have to admire Ronan Dunne's chutzpah - he's had years running a MNO and in that time the organisation he led completely failed to compete in let alone try and win the 3G or 4G race.
Now he's popping up to tell the world about his export opinion on the race to 5G. o2 have the worst 3G and 4G coverage out of the MNOs - the fact that under his helm the company failed to plan or deliver the depth of coverage EE have managed in the same timescale speaks volumes. |
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#25 |
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o2 have the worst 3G and 4G coverage out of the MNOs - the fact that under his helm the company failed to plan or deliver the depth of coverage EE have managed in the same timescale speaks volumes.
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