All Competition articles
-
M&ABouygues CEO says SFR review could stretch into 2028
Olivier Roussat appears less confident than his opposite at Orange that the deal will be completed before the end of next year, as originally hoped.
-
Strategy & ChangeOrange bets on MásOrange as Spain’s price war rages
MásOrange CEO Meinard Spenger is confident the business will hold its own in a bruising battle as rivals employ increasingly aggressive tactics.
-
Network & InfraOfcom wields TAR in move to block Openreach fibre discounts
For the first time, the regulator intends to direct Openreach to withdraw proposed new fibre customer pricing, citing an ‘unfair’ and ‘aggressive’ approach from the incumbent. Ofcom puts the Telecoms Access Review into action, altnets welcome the move, and Openreach accuses the regulator of protecting rivals’ “poor business models”. Final decision pending…
-
Financial & PerformanceVodafone Romania advances in Telekom asset integration
Operator says customer migration and network consolidation after TRMC asset buy is progressing ahead of schedule, but “higher competitive intensity” has seen a decline in customer numbers and continued pressure on ARPU…
-
Deep DiveStarter for No 10: the key digital infra demands awaiting the UK’s new Prime Minister
Deep dive: Andy Burnham built his political reputation around regional growth in Manchester. Digital infra leaders now want to know whether those principles will translate into a coherent national strategy for fibre, mobile networks, data centres, and digital infrastructure investment, as the industry enters a pivotal moment…
-
Public AffairsGermany finally gets ducts in a row with new BNetzA regs
Networks watchdog firms up contractual framework for access to incumbent Telekom Deutschland’s underground assets, following several years of industry arguments. Regulator claims to have “removed the obstacles to duct access” for altnets, and handed a much-needed boost to Germany’s pressured fibre infra sector. But not everybody is happy…
-
Strategy & ChangeKPN may rethink fibre ambition after Delta buy blocked
Dutch incumbent’s Chief Executive Joost Farwerck calls watchdog’s decision to thwart bolt-on purchase of fibre assets from rival Delta “very strange”, and warns it may prompt a rejig of its footprint expansion goal for 2030.
-
M&AMásOrange denies Vodafone Spain RANco project amidst reports of further talks
MásOrange says there is “currently no active project” to form a RANco with Vodafone Spain, despite reports of fresh talks emerging. Pair said to be targeting synergies and seeking to monetise more infra assets, but questions remain around potential impact on rumoured Telefónica takeover of Vodafone Spain assets…
-
M&AEC cedes oversight of SFR takeover to French authorities
Iliad’s SFR transaction was a potential sticking point, but the EC has agreed to refer it to France, with discussions already underway with Bouygues Telecom and Orange.
-
Public AffairsTowerco-telco tensions: Italy’s INWIT trades blows with reluctant anchor tenants
Fastweb and TIM claim early victories in the INWIT dispute as they attempt to terminate contracts, but the challenged towerco insists the core issues remain unresolved. The battle could have significant implications for tower economics, tenant relationships, and Vodafone-backed Vantage Towers.
-
Public AffairsEU’s DNA faces pushback, with MVNOs wary of spectrum rule changes
MVNOs World: With the upcoming Digital Networks Act, the EC aims to create a fresh start for the region’s telecoms industry and provide a much-needed boost to the bloc’s competitiveness. But it seems few see the norms, as proposed, as likely to deliver the galvanising force the Commission intends, with challenger players remaining concerned they will have to take one for the team as the EU bids to shore up their incumbent network operator rivals.
-
M&ACMA uprates Netomnia–nexfibre investigation to Phase 2 as altnets call for ‘urgency’
Altnet buyer nexfibre gets pragmatic and skips straight to the in-depth competition review, keeping hopes alive for completion before the end of the year. The UK’s fibre scene is set to change, but the CMA will now decide the extent.
-
M&AVodafoneThree networks chief: merger remedies more ‘asset’ than ‘burden’
Chief Network Officer Andrea Donà has framed strict regulatory remedies as an “engineer’s paradise” as the UK operator sets about its £7bn network integration programme.
-
Public AffairsDutch watchdog blocks Glaspoort’s proposed DELTA Fiber asset buy
Dutch competition authority draws a line in the sand after investigating whether deal adds to its concerns over KPN “bead stringing” to expand its fibre footprint. KPN questions whether response to “relatively small transaction” is warranted …
-
Network & InfraDT heads into open access in bid to regain fibre momentum
German incumbent inks two sizeable wholesale relationships in north-east of the country, in another reflection of the sharper competition it is facing from sales-hungry altnets. Moves come amid wider pivot by DT aimed at regaining grip of go-to-market in its domestic broadband market.
-
M&ATelcos welcome ‘long overdue’ EC draft merger guidelines
Telcos now have the opportunity to provide informed feedback as the long‑awaited draft on European Union merger guidelines is published.
-
InterviewChelot: wholesale scale is ‘mission impossible’ without nexfibre-Netomnia deal
Interview: “I have a wholesale platform, but I have no wholesale customers”. Jeremy Chelot’s Netomnia hit a structural ceiling, with bowing out the only way to progress the Openreach challenge. Firing back at nexfibre deal critics, he asks for alternatives to his Plan B, deeming consolidation the best route and reflecting on the challenge of leading a business through a sale.
-
Strategy & ChangeDeutsche Telekom said to explore T-Mobile mega-meld
Group’s leadership said to be weighing a full combination between it and its American powerhouse, thus sorting out current disconnects that could complicate future deal-making and strategy. Shepherding any such deal through the corridors of Washington, Berlin, and Brussels would be highly challenging, however.
-
M&AFrench trio increases bid for SFR, starts exclusive talks
New offer gives SFR a total enterprise value of €20bn, with Bouygues still in the driving seat, Orange and Iliad onboard.
-
Financial & PerformanceMacquarie takes a hit as it considers KCOM exit
Investment group writes down more than half a billion pounds on Hull-based operator as reports swirl of imminent sale.