All 4G (LTE, 4.5G) articles
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Network & Infra
Orange firms up French 2G sunset timeline
Operator plans to retire its 2G network by end of 2026, with Anglet, Bayonne, and Biarritz set to be the first locations for the switch-off next year.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT expands AWS deal for five more years
The cloud services giant flags the latest strategic agreement with BT as a critical step towards network autonomy.
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People
Vi: CEO Moondra steps aside, sets challenge for successor
Debt-laden Indian operator Vi names a new CEO in Abhijit Kishore, who has a mountain to climb if he is to complete the job of turning around a business that has been in perpetual decline for several years.
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Network & Infra
Vodafone’s Nadia Benabdallah: ‘the real leap lies in autonomous networks’
Having seen the Group’s networks evolve from 3G to 5G SA over a 30-year career, Milan-based network strategy chief says the real benefits will come with deployment of autonomous networking…
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M&A
Cellnex ‘not exposed’ to looming telco M&A in France, says CEO
Marco Patuano underlines towerco’s strong market position in France, and said it would be a critical partner in any MNO consolidation moves.
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People
CEO Maestre leaves Telefónica Peru as new owner resets top team
Long-time Telefónica exec Elena Maestre has left Integratel Peru as the former Hispanoamérica operating business undergoes post-sale restructuring.
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Network & Infra
Slovakian operators lay out €500m on spectrum top-up
The nation’s multi-frequency auction raised a total of €506m, which even the regulator noted was high by European standards.
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Network & Infra
UK gov pares back Shared Rural Network targets in strategic rethink
Building Digital UK scales back plans for further rural 4G coverage expansion after hitting initial Shared Rural Network targets early. Strategy shift comes after discussions with local communities and interest groups, with BDUK aiming to maximise coverage while delivering “best value for public money”.
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Network & Infra
Project Reach: Freshwave, Neos seek digital infra ‘blueprint’ to power up UK rail
Freshwave and Neos Networks firm up collaboration with Network Rail and UK mobile operators to upgrade fibre and wireless infra along key UK rail routes, with funding from the likes of DigitalBridge, Infracapital, and SSE Group. Work to begin imminently, with pair hoping to develop business model “blueprint” for future deployments…
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Network & Infra
Czech telco trio partner with gov to fill in 5G coverage gaps
O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone join forces with Czech government to strengthen 5G connectivity in areas with “insufficient” coverage and no imminent commercial build plans. Initiative is the latest government-backed scheme in Europe aimed at improving mobile coverage, particularly in rural areas…
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Network & Infra
Ex-Nominet boss tasked with hitting UK government’s broadband infra goals
The agency leading key UK government-backed digital infra projects has appointed Lesley Cowley as Chair, tasked with overseeing the Shared Rural Network and (recently delayed) Project Gigabit initiatives…
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Analyst Briefings
Orangewatch Analyst Briefing: execs bang M&A drum; high hopes on IPCEI and AI
In this issue, we report on presentations by Orange’s leadership at the AGM, with Group CEO Christel Heydemann and new Orange France CEO Jérôme Hénique taking the floor.
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Network & Infra
EE densifies Westminster network with Ontix small cells tie-up
Ties with shared infra specialist and ambitious neutral host extended to 80 fresh sites in central London, in conjunction with assertive local authority. Learn more…
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People
Ex-Vodafone chief Colao takes board seat at Wireless Logic
Vittorio Colao joins the Board of Directors at UK-based IoT connectivity provider (and MVNO using BT’s network), after the business agrees to sell a minority stake to General Atlantic.
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Network & Infra
Cellnex said to win Orange Poland as customer with fresh tower deal
Cellnex to construct more than 100 new sites in Poland for Orange, with the operator serving as anchor tenant. Move follows operator’s similar deal with Emitel earlier this year, as it continues expanding national coverage.
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People
TDF revamps leadership to drive into data centres and private networks
French tower operator and broadcaster appoints Karim El Naggar as CEO, as part of a top-level leadership reset that has primarily drawn on existing talent. Changes come alongside strategy shift aimed at accelerating growth in emerging digital infra markets…
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M&A
Iliad CEO remains ‘pragmatic’ on deal-making opportunities in France, Italy
Potential M&A in the two markets is tempting for different reasons, although Thomas Reynaud says Iliad in Italy and Free in France can continue to operate quite happily as standalone businesses.
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Interview
Vodafone Business hoping 5G private networks on cusp of doubling, even trebling in 2026
As 5G MPNs move beyond hype, Jennifer Didoni shares Vodafone Business’ refined strategy on scaling deployments and targeting the right use cases.
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Analyst Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: TowerCos continue M&A pare-back; telcos plot data centre expansion
TowerCos across Africa and Europe still exercising restraint around M&A, with focus placed on increasing tenancies and driving organic-build out instead. Meanwhile, Orange and Vodafone Spain said to look at expanding data centre estate, while opening up IT capacity to third-parties…
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Network & Infra
VM O2 takes aim at mobile network ‘pain points’ with £700m spend plan
UK operator expects to spend £700m this year to alleviate network “pain points” for customers and improve mobile service experience.