Enabling rapid, cost-efficient scaling of a nationwide fibre network build programme for a major UK telco

A major UK telco needed to heavily scale their nationwide fibre network build programme, with an ambition to deliver gigabit speed connectivity to over 7 million homes to expand their addressable market and unlock future revenue growth.

Our team worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the client to transform the programme’s operating model and ways of working, along with focused workstreams to improve end-to-end processes, governance and data quality.

Embedding ourselves within the programme, driving material change

Acting as a key advisor and transformation partner, we first completed a rapid diagnostic assessment and benchmarking of their current portfolio, then prioritised a series of improvement areas with the client’s Senior Leadership Team.

We designed and implemented a brand-new programme operating model across 1,600+ internal FTE and 15+ Build Partners, introducing standardised project management processes and streamlined governance for network design and build activities. This included deploying a brand-new turnkey delivery model, reducing internal dependencies and offering a quick-to-mobilise method for project delivery.

Our team also completed an end-to-end process review, creating a qualified backlog of opportunities to improve delivery times and reduce build rework, subsequently implementing multiple ‘quick wins’ that streamlined build mobilisation and reduced the bill of materials costs. We worked closely with the client’s digital and IT functions to define their technology roadmap, ensuring the agreed benefits aligned with the client’s longer term strategic objectives.

Understanding the significance of having a scalable, reliable data solution, we transitioned the programme from an on-premise model to the Google Cloud Platform. Following this, we delivered a series of brand-new digital performance dashboards, providing a single source of truth across all functions and giving greater transparency to the programme leadership.

Enabling a threefold increase in delivery over three years

Our support was a critical enabler to the programme’s sustained growth, with delivered build volumes tripling over the course of three years whilst maintaining existing internal headcount levels. This was backed up by improvements in end-to-end project timescales and key ‘right first time’ performance metrics.

During this period, we also significantly upskilled the programme’s delivery and technical functions, ensuring that the client had the right people and toolsets to further scale over the coming years.

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