Europe
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M&AEU: Vestager nod set to prompt regional consolidation race
Vestager distracts from four‑to‑three merger demands by highlighting potential for creation of pan‑European big beasts. But is this feasible in any imminent iteration of Europe, beyond cross-border infrastructure ventures envisaged by Orange?
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone deepens engagement with UK 5G testbed
Vodafone UK positions itself to benefit from 5G‑related opportunities around traffic management.
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 gives 4G a pre-tie-up top-up
UK operating business seeks to bolster “ national champion ” pitch ahead of Virgin Media merger. Focus is on eliminating 4G ‘not‑spots’ and boosting 4G and 5G coverage at tourist attractions.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT opens DigiTech doors
BT and longstanding partner the University of Suffolk launched the DigiTech Centre, to train 145 apprentices and 500 students.
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Network & Infrastructure
Germany makes Huawei wait
A decision on Chinese vendors’ involvement in German 5G deployment sees another delay, and is now (tentatively) expected for September 2020. Huawei security concerns remain central to opposition, with operators forced to make hedge their bets in the meantime.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT explores 5G core efficiencies with Mavenir
US software vendor claims “ successful ” lab testing of its “ containerised ” 5G core solution. Hints at support of standalone 5G New Radio .
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Strategy & Change
O2 Business targets post COVID-19 opportunities
O2 UK turns sell-to relationships on store technology into commercial partnerships. Operator creates new suite of digital solutions to resolve social distancing challenges, using technology from two startups originally incubated by Wayra UK.
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Strategy & Change
DT to set Telekom Security free
T‑Systems reboot takes on tangible form, with the legal separation of the Security and IoT units and the creation of an expanded B2B hub under Telekom Deutschland.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT gears up for LTE-M launch
Multi-territory debut is in pipeline, as DT seeks to extend into mid-territory beyond basic and industrial IoT applications. Move was originally planned for 2019.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone pushes ahead with tower IPO
Vodafone has invited pitches for an IPO of its European towers, to be listed by 2021. €10bn–€20bn valuation, with €2bn+ targeted for minority stake.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT seeks to lean out with full-fibre platform
Capgemini, T‑Systems Russia, and Red Hat help redesign OSS/BSS for more “ agile ” FTTP deployment. Target to cover all businesses in Stuttgart by 2025, and 90% of households by 2030.
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Network & Infrastructure
Scottish rural 4G scheme on pause
Government says limited work will resume, post shutdown, “in the coming weeks”.
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People
Vodafone Europe people moves: Malta’s Koronellos switches to Greece, Technogym’s Pizzola joins VfIT
Vodafone Europe people moves: Malta’s Koronellos switches to Greece, Technogym’s Pizzola joins VfIT Source: PixartPrinting Andrea Pizzola, Vodafone Italy Company Executive Activity Details Italy Andrea Pizzola Appointment Andrea ...
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People
Vodafone old guard moves include former Director, CEO, and CPO
Blasts from past as Butterworth, Finegold, and Pusey resurface with technology and telecoms board seats.
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Analysis
Vodafonewatch roundup — June 2020
Deals and updates from across the Vodafone Group include the latest CNTT release, Vodafone Business partnership with Energy Web, and a coordinated Track and Trace effort from European telcos. Vodafone Idea flagged collaborations with Nokia, Red Hat, and Mavenir. Vodafone Greece launched ToBi; Ireland expanded its relationship ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone perturbed by UK shift on Huawei
Prime Minister turnaround puts Vodafone in financial spin. Group “ put all its eggs in a Chinese basket ”, says Strand Consult.
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Network & Infrastructure
VfGr deploys Red Hat’s Quarkus to improve boot times
Rejig painted as giving Digital eXperience Layer a speed upgrade.
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Network & Infrastructure
VodafoneZiggo readies for 5G auction
Sale gives Dutch joint venture a platform to move beyond limited, DSS‑based 5G.
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M&A
Fries on VM-O2 merger: don’t mention the tax breaks
Liberty Global anticipates substantial opportunities for savings by injecting Virgin Media tax losses into O2, but Fries wary that such behaviour may not chime with goal of creating new UK “national champion” .
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People
Höttges continues shake-up with Germany CEO switch
DT’s leadership bowls a googly with appointment of Europe boss Srini Gopalan to head German NatCo. Message: nothing is sacred, as DT’s focus turns to re-imagining Europe-side businesses over 2020s.
