5G fisticuffs: EE files complaint over Three’s ‘real’ network advert August 19, 2019 Mobile operator EE has fired the latest salvo in an escalating clash between telecoms firms, filing a complaint with the advertising watchdog over a campaign promoting Three’s 5G network. EE has raised concerns about newspaper and social media adverts that claimed Three’s network provided the only “real” 5G service. Under advertising rules, a brand must [...]
BT lines up £100m sale of Dutch infrastructure in bid to simplify business August 18, 2019 BT is said to be preparing the sale of more than £100m worth of infrastructure in the Netherlands, marking the latest step in its radical simplification plan. Boss Philip Jansen is set to offload telecoms towers and broadband cables that serve the firm’s Global Services business customers in the country, the Sunday Times reported. Read [...]
Squashed: Britvic looks to cut final salary pensions August 11, 2019 Drinks producer Britvic is planning to slash the money it pays out to 6,000 members of its final salary pension scheme. The FTSE 250 firm, which produces Robinsons soft drinks, is looking for court approval to stop measuring inflation according to the retail prices index (RPI), and instead switch to the consumer prices index (CPI). [...]
Anatomy of a modern football fan: The evolving trends and tastes of the Premier League’s global following August 8, 2019 Concept kits blurring the lines between football and fashion; freestylers and video gaming encouraging a new breed of young player; supporters following leagues and superstar players before teams; a hunger for more sophisticated and relevant punditry. It is fair to say that football and fandom is changing. And on the eve of a new Premier [...]
VAR in our time: A bluffer’s guide to how video assistant referees will and won’t be used in the Premier League August 8, 2019 A quiet business estate built on the site of a former rubbish tip in the furthermost fringes of west London could hardly feel more removed from the hustle, bustle and stardust of Premier League football. But it is here, at Stockley Park in Harlington, where the outcome of a new top-flight season will be shaped [...]
City grandee Bob Wigley sued over collapse of Yellow Pages-owner Hibu August 7, 2019 City grandee Bob Wigley has been named in a multi-million dollar lawsuit relating to his time as chairman of Yellow Pages-owner Hibu and the company’s collapse in 2013. The lawsuit, which was filed last week in the US, accuses Wigley and other directors and officers of the former FTSE 100 firm of deliberately crashing the [...]
A Netflix of football: Would it make business sense for the Premier League to launch its own streaming service? August 7, 2019 The new Premier League season starting on Friday also marks the start of a new broadcast rights cycle and a debut for Amazon Prime’s coverage. Over the top (OTT) sports services are here to stay and there is no shortage of analysts who feel the rights market has peaked. Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan [...]
No respite for BT investors as shares sink again August 6, 2019 By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. BT shares continue to fall after first quarter results do little to dispel fears over its dividend. After a torrid year for followers of Britain’s best-known stocks, first quarter results from BT Group (LSE:BT.A) have done little to ease their fears that the telecom group’s dividend is next for the chop. While last week’s figures [...]
Arqiva owners plan break-up of company after ditching £6bn float August 4, 2019 The investment firms behind telecoms mast giant Arqiva are said to be planning a break-up of the business, two years after they ditched a £6bn float. Read more: BT eyes £80m sale of legal software division Tikit as it focuses on full-fibre The move would see Arqiva’s TV and radio towers business split from its [...]
BT eyes £80m sale of legal software division Tikit as it focuses on full-fibre August 4, 2019 BT is said to be lining up a sale of its £80m legal software business as it looks to focus its efforts on rolling out full-fibre broadband across the UK. Tikit, which provides lawyers with software for time recording and case management, has been added to a list of fringe BT businesses up for sale, [...]