(Source: Ian Georgeson/Alamy Stock Photo)

The UK's largest alternative network provider (altnet), CityFibre, has used its latest trading update to underline its desire for further acquisitions. In a prepared statement, CEO Simon Holden said: "With the continued backing of our shareholders, including a £900m [US$1.2 billion] new equity commitment, we are in discussion with our lenders to establish a strong, long-term capital structure for the business. This will enable CityFibre to accelerate consolidation in the sector creating a larger business with the funding and financial flexibility to deliver its long-term plan and establish the third national network the UK needs."

In the nine months to the end of September 2026, CityFibre's revenue increased 36% year-over-year, to £164 million ($218 million), while adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) soared 290% to £60 million ($79 million). The company added 260,000 new customers over the period, up 23% on the previous year. The number of premises passed was up 2%, to 4.8 million. (See Eurobites: CityFibre attacks Netomnia-Nexfibre deal (again) and CityFibre CTO has five-star broadband plan to beat Openreach.)

VMO2 calls BT's takeover of TalkTalk a 'stitch-up'

Virgin Media O2 has dismissed rival BT's planned takeover of failed fixed-line provider TalkTalk as a "stitch-up masked as a rescue deal in the public interest." The spokesperson added in a statement that "days after the competition regulator proposed potentially blocking a logical deal between Nexfibre and Netomnia that would accelerate fiber investment and create a genuine, financially sustainable challenger to Openreach, it now appears that rules might be watered down so the incumbent can roll its tanks over competition and further tighten its grip on the market."

Separately, VMO2 has also switched on its 5G standalone network in the UK city of Bristol. Up to 495,000 people across the city are covered by the network, says the company. The switch-on forms part of the operator's £700 million ($929 million) Mobile Transformation Plan.

Vodafone calls on CUJO AI

Vodafone has decided to use CUJO AI's broadband performance measurement technology in several of its European markets. According to CUJO AI, its "Quality of Outcome" software evaluates how well network conditions support the "outcomes" users expect from specific applications such as gaming and video calls, rather than just relying on technical measures such as speed or average latency. (See CUJO AI says over 67% of home networks face cybersecurity threats each month.)

INCA welcomes blocking of Openreach's discount offer

The UK's Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA) has welcomed regulator Ofcom's decision to block the discount package Openreach was offering to Internet service providers that was intended to lure ISPs away from Virgin Media O2 and smaller alternative network rivals. INCA's CEO, Paddy Paddison, said: "Ofcom has recognized that Openreach cannot use its scale and incumbency to offer targeted prices that a reasonably efficient competing network could not sustainably match." (See Ofcom blocks Openreach discount to safeguard network competition.)

Hayo hopes to boost API take-up in Africa, Middle East

Hayo, the US-based digital infrastructure provider, has become a member of the CAMARA Project to accelerate the adoption of network application programming interfaces (APIs) across Africa and the Middle East. CAMARA is an open source project within the Linux Foundation, focused on defining, developing and testing telco "northbound" APIs. (See Collaboration still key amid operator progress on APIs.)

Du taps Rilian for sovereign security

Middle East operator Du has tapped Rilian to serve its sovereign cybersecurity needs. According to Du, the collaboration, which makes use of Rillian's Caspian agentic AI platform, will enable locally delivered managed cybersecurity services that are compliant with the UAE's sovereignty and regulatory requirements.

Ooredoo boss joins GSMA board

Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo has been elected to the GSMA's board of directors for the 2027-2028 term. The board is made up of 26 representatives from global mobile operators and provides strategic direction to the GSMA.