Telecom news

• RMT to ballot London Underground staff in dispute over jobs and pensions

  25-04-2023 19:10 via ianvisits.co.uk
  
  The RMT union has confirmed that it is reballotting its 10,000 members working on the London Underground for strike action in a dispute over jobs and pensions.The union already has a strike mandate in the dispute from its members, but strike mandates have an expiry date, so the RMT is running a ballot of its members to seek authority to continue the dispute.
  The current mandate expires in June, and the ballot decision to renew or cancel it should be known on 23rd May.
  Speaking as the re-ballot o
  
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• See the animator behind the Watership Down and Animal Farm films

  25-04-2023 17:30 via ianvisits.co.uk
  
  A basement space is currently filled with childhood delights, with an exhibition about Arthur Humberstone, the man who created Watership Down and Animal Farm, amongst many other films and credits to his name.Some of the display looks at the work of the very short-lived animation film studio set up in 1948, Animaland, by the American animator David Hand, with backing from the UK’s J Arthur Rank.
  Although the short films it produced were very high quality, they weren’t popular and the
  
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• E& gets pushy with Vodafone

  25-04-2023 17:01
  E& has reportedly further increased its stake in Vodafone and is now looking to make changes at the telco group’s board.
  The United Arab Emirates-based operator has raised its holding in the UK-based telecoms group to 14.6%, Bloomberg reports, citing a regulatory filing.
  That’s just a small hike on the firm’s previous 14% stake, a position it built up in increments since its first share acquisition back in May last year. But at around US$450 million per percentage point, it
  
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• May Bank Holiday weekend train disruptions

  25-04-2023 16:00 via ianvisits.co.uk
  
  As usual, this coming bank holiday will see a number of railway closures as Network Rail carries out engineering works along the lines. The main impact will be services from Euston station, although c2c services into Liverpool Street and some Thameslink services in South London will also be affected.
  Avanti West Coast train passing Willesden track upgrade worksite March 2021 (c) Network Rail
  Nationally Network Rail is investing £73 million and carrying out a total of 610 railway upgrade pr
  
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• UK tackles big tech with digital markets bill

  25-04-2023 13:56
  The UK government on Tuesday introduced its digital markets bill, a move designed to improve competition and protect consumers.
  Essentially, the bill constitutes Westminster’s latest attempt to crack down on the big technology companies – Google, Amazon, Facebook and so forth – and give a leg up to smaller potential competitors. As well as helping to address market dominance, it seeks to tackle fraud and subscription traps.
  It has been a long time coming, but is now good to go,
  
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• Android users can now unlock their BMWs from their phones

  25-04-2023 13:41
  Certain BMW cars can now be opened, locked and started from Android phones via Digital Key Plus.
  Available on compatible Samsung and Google phones, you don’t even need to go to the tiresome hassle of getting your phone out of your pocket to start, lock and unlock the car since the vehicle reacts automatically when you walk towards or away from it.
  A smartphone with Digital Key Plus can replace a your car keys entirely should you so wish to, and uses ultra-wideband technology (UWB). BMW say
  
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• UAE investment group increases Vodafone stake amid scrutiny of board structure

  25-04-2023 13:40
  Move signals telecoms company’s biggest shareholder may want to encourage change
  
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• e& increases Vodafone stake amid scrutiny of board structure

  25-04-2023 13:40
  Move signals telecoms group’s biggest shareholder may want to encourage change
  
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• Westminster refuses to restrict access to former US Embassy roof terrace

  25-04-2023 13:00 via ianvisits.co.uk
  
  An attempt by the developer turning the former US Embassy into a hotel to restrict public access to the roof terrace has been rejected by Westminster Council.
  Former US Embassy (cc) Ian S
  Planning permission was granted in 2017 to convert the embassy building into a hotel, with ground floor spaces for retail, restaurant and mix use spaces facing Grosvenor Square, and through an extension on the roof, a rooftop bar with views across central London.
  The developer agreed to the condition that the 7
  
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• Wind Tre staff to strike over network separation

  25-04-2023 10:20
  Italy’s biggest telecoms trade unions have called a strike at Wind Tre, reiteration their strong opposition to the company’s plan to spin off its networks business.
  A full-shift strike will take place at Wind Tre on 4 May, according to a joint announcement from SLC-CGIL Fistel-CISL and UILCOM-UIL, while a strike for extraordinary and ancillary services will run from 2 May to 31 May.
  The announcement followed a meeting held late last week between the unions, Wind Tre, and a representa
  
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• See the Coronation stage inside Westminster Abbey

  25-04-2023 09:20 via ianvisits.co.uk
  
  For one week after the King’s Coronation, the stage set up for the event will remain on view in Westminster Abbey for people who want to get within sniffing distance of the regal location.The Abbey will reopen on Bank Holiday Monday 8th May, and for the rest of the week, visitors will be able to see the Coronation Theatre on a special self-guided tour around the Abbey.
  Entry will include seeing key elements from the coronation service including the Coronation Chair in position on the Cosma
  
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• Work starting soon on step-free access at Plumstead railway station

  25-04-2023 08:00 via ianvisits.co.uk
  
  Plumstead station in southeast London is about to get step-free access as long planned works to add two lifts to the station get underway.
  London bound platform lift next to ticket office (c) Network Rail
  At the moment, there is a ticket office on the London bound side of the station, with stairs down to the platform, and a footbridge plus stairs down to the Kent side platform.
  Network Rail has been attempting to improve the station for some years. Initial applications, which included removing t
  
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