Asia-Pacific – Page 10
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Strategy & Change
Teoh tipped to flee TPG once escrow period ends
Operator’s main shareholders Vodafone and Hutchison free to sell shares after 12 July. So too is founder David Teoh, seen likely to up sticks first. Morgan Stanley analyst doesn’t foresee same share price carnage as when Teoh sold 3% stake last December.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vi mulls exit from Wi-Fi joint venture
Indian operator goes cool on Firefly joint venture with Airtel, set up in 2015.
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M&A
TPG sells towers to Canadian pension fund
CEO Berroeta claims balance sheet boost is “strong outcome” for shareholders. Enterprise value set at AU$ 950m. After transaction costs and tax, TPG will bank a more modest sum of between AU$ 350m and AU$ 400m. Transaction includes 20-year master services agreement.
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Operations
Indus seeks to move on from “nail-biting” Vi crisis
Indian tower giant sees “discomfiting” client payment worries subsiding
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Bharti Airtel Chairman wants “affordable” spectrum
TRAI proposes near-40% reduction across spectrum bands in upcoming auction; Vodafone Egypt acquires 10% stakes in e-payment platforms Bee and Masary.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT welcomes “quantum revolution” with network launch
Quantum-secured metro network connects London offices, enabling quantum key distribution and management in partnership with Toshiba. EY named first commercial customer; revenue expected within 18 months. BT CTO Watson says quantum race is on, and UK is well placed. Believes quantum will become an “integral part” of country’s economic ...
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Operations
TPG cleared to separate wholesale and retail operations
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission greenlights ‘joint functional separation’ of the subsidiaries from 7 October 2022. Regulator believes the move will enhance competition in both segments. TPG is looking to create a new fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) wholesale business.
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Venturing & Investments
Vodafone increases Vi stake
Group outlines commitment to struggling JV, upping its holding by 3.2%. Investment arrives via Vodafone subsidiary Prime Metals in a vital period for Vi. Further cash injections mooted amid government takeover.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Vi actions Digital shake-up
Indian operator Vi sees Chief Digital Officer Jain exit ahead of Consumer Digital function refresh. Operations and skills transformation appointments made at Group-level. Italy’s INWIT JV names Technology and Planning leads in senior changes. TechCo transition takes hold at Vodafone Italy. Fintech vertical in the spotlight at Safaricom on ...
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: United Internet making moves in Germany
United Internet steps up network launch; TI opens KKR talks.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: VfNZ exploring tower sales
Entel sells four data centres to Equinix; VfNZ kicks off towers sale process, and acquires majority share in cybersecurity provider DEFEND.
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Premium
Vi poised to swap out Huawei 4G for Nokia
News signals desire for distance from Chinese vendor. 5G trials underway with Ericsson and Nokia. Details for long-delayed 5G auction expected soon.
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M&A
Indian government urged to speed up Vi equity conversion
Debt-for-equity swap yet to go through after months in limbo. Vi said to believe completion is key to securing further investments. Move would give Indian government a 35.8% stake in Vi.
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Innovation (R&D)
UAE lab provides blueprint for BT’s university partnerships
BT using success of EBTIC collaboration to inform university partnerships in Ireland and India, building ties with local academics to support Adastral Park R&D. BT- and Khalifa University-backed EBTIC showcases collaborative innovation projects as partnership enters “Phase 3”.
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Premium
Deutsche Telekom Innovation & Venturing: startups targeted in Hong Kong
Hong Kong startups targeted; DTCP makes customer service investment and partners with everphone.
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Operations
DT outlines ‘digital experts’ upskill target
2021 Annual Report sets 17% digital workforce target within three years. Places emphasis on in-house digital upskilling; recruiting outside digital talent seen as “challenging”. Overall FTE headcount drops 4% year-on-year, but Group still manages to hire more than 8,000 employees outside the USA with focus on IT and technical ...
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M&A
Vodafone in talks with investors on 21% Indus stake
Group to participate in Vi’s planned capital raise. Vodafone agrees to sell 4.7% Indus stake to Bharti Airtel. Vi troubles have increased ‘trade receivables’ at Indus over several quarters.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Deutsche Telekom circles China’s 5G startup scene
Signs MoU with GSMA and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Aim is to establish 5G Innovation Accelerator in Greater Bay Area and explore “commercial opportunities”.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Vantage bags new infra partnerships
Vodafone Foundation Australia given makeover; Vantage flags two new infra partners; Vi welcomes Mobile Streams services.
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Premium
Vodafone Q3 FY21–22 Headlines: Germany struggles, Africa bubbles
Group service revenue growth for fifth successive quarter. German user experience blunder takes gloss off solid set of numbers. Read continues to blame COVID-19 for German struggles, despite rivals’ success. Vodacom makes “very good progress” as Vodafone Egypt deal nears.