Lite Access Technologies stops fiber builds in UK due to COVID-19
Lite Access Technologies Inc. (TSX VENTURE: LTE) (OTC PINK: LTCCF), which supplies fiber-optic network deployment services, says that it has temporarily suspended operations in the UK due to the most recent wave of COVID-19 cases in the kingdom. The company has worked on at least three projects for CityFibre, winning a contract for the third earlier this year (see “CityFibre awards Lite Access FTTP deployment contract worth CAD$20 million”).
“The company is unable to meet targets with the continuing conditions and is implementing a mitigation strategy,” Lite Access announced via a press statement. “UK operations have been suspended temporarily to allow Lite Access time to consult with stakeholders to optimize both its current operations and existing contracts in a COVID-19 environment.”
"The continuing tighter COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the recent UK lockdown, in conjunction with discussions seeking to optimize existing contracts, has left the company with little option but to temporarily suspend UK operations. During this time, we hope to strengthen our operation and quickly restart," commented Carlo Shimoon, president and CEO of Lite Access.
Lite Access nevertheless affirmed its belief that the UK broadband market remains strong and attractive. The company previously has worked with CityFibre rival Openreach, BT’s broadband network infrastructure subsidiary (see “Carillion telent taps Lite Access for Openreach FTTP deployment in Wales”).
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Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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