Core Markets – Page 5
-
Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: Group applauds Draghi’s call for telco deregulation
Operator agrees with recent EU competitiveness policy proposals, although industry bodies not so keen on recommendations. Telefónica España faces down competition in its home market, while continuing to reinforce wholesale segment. Elsewhere, Virgin Media O2 defends fibre strategy against CityFibre broadsides. Read more…
-
Content & TV
O2 wades into German pay-TV battle with platform refresh
Operator launches O2 TV platform as additional option for existing fixed and mobile customers.
-
Products & Services
Telekom Deutschland turns to youth in German pricing fight
German NatCo maintains focus on More for More, and upping inclusive value rather than answering rivals’ aggressive pricing tactics.
-
M&A
Virgin Media O2 set to sell another chunk of Cornerstone — report
Operator to shed another 8% of tower JV with GLIL Infrastructure and Vantage, bringing total shareholding down to just above 25%.
-
Eventwatch
Virgin Media O2 and CityFibre question each other’s fibre maths
Connected Britain: VM O2 CEO Lutz Schüler argues operator is taking “challenger” approach in UK’s fibre market, with nexfibre spin-off and upcoming NetCo positioning operator to be a “long-term sustainable partner” to altnets.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica set to complete fibre wholesale ‘triangle’ with MásOrange — report
Operators said to be nearing Indefeasible Right of Use agreement, covering access to 3.5 million Telefónica-connected premises. Move seeks to prevent overbuild, and sees Telefónica remain on a defensive footing in its wholesale segment. Read more…
-
Weekly Briefings
Deutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: three’s a crowd at BT
Future of DT’s relationship with UK incumbent comes back into the public eye after Bharti entrance into major shareholder grouping, plus buildout of Slim family stake.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica, Vodafone Spain hit refresh on fibre wholesale deal
Seeking to capture synergies and optimise network investment, agreement comes as operators continue battling to lock in wholesale clients, negotiating new deals with existing clients, after recent Spanish market rejig. Read more…
-
Strategy & Change
Tower group SBA wants ‘visibility’ before voyaging into foggy Europe
Eurosceptic tower group plays down the prospect of any dealmaking to give it a regional presence, saying its M&A focus is on strengthening businesses within its existing footprint.
-
Operations
O2 Germany CEO rules out me-too job cuts
Markus Haas says reducing workforce is not on the O2 agenda, instead placing focus on equipping employees with AI tools to boost efficiency. Comments come as Vodafone Germany continues to negotiate scaled-back job cut plans with unions. Read more…
-
Products & Services
Europe’s petri dish: Spain’s incumbents caught in price war with converged challengers
Fixed and mobile challengers forcing Spain’s Big Two into balancing act of retaining customers while maintaining profitability. Freshly unbound Vodafone Spain strategically re-positioning as enabler and challenger, while MásOrange and Telefónica España tease premium sweeteners. Read more…
-
Strategy & Change
Brazil’s Vivo gets Central Bank nod to expand in fintech
Central Bank of Brazil grants licence for operator to expand credit and insurance products and grow its presence in the fintech space.
-
Public Affairs
MásOrange angers Spanish unions with plan for 795 voluntary job cuts
After eight months of operation, the Spanish joint venture of Orange Spain and MásMóvil wants to weed out workforce duplication with plans to cut 795 jobs but faces resistance from national trade unions.
-
Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: Spain puts more rural 5G cash on the table
Telefónica España among operators eligible for extra public funding to expand 5G SA services in rural parts of the country.
-
Weekly Briefings
Deutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: T-Mobile’s laser focus
American NatCo highlights partnerships geared towards expanding fibre reach and strengthening 5G platform.
-
Strategy & Change
Telefónica CEO pledges commitment to Brazil after meet-up with president
José María Álvarez-Pallete expresses confidence in Brazil’s telecoms market during trip to meet the country’s President.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Spain launches second 5G SA funding call
Spain opens bidding for second edition of UNICO-5G Redes Activas programme, providing €87.69m initially to accelerate 5G standalone rollout in additional rural areas of the country.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone firms up 1&1 deal; start of huge user transfer ‘near’
Vodafone Germany to begin carrying 1&1 traffic from later this week, as part of national roaming tie-up announced last year.
-
Strategy & Change
O2 Germany revives Simyo B-brand as discount push continues
Mobilezone partnered to resurrect budget brand, continuing commercial aggression as O2 seeks to fill void left by 1&1 contract loss. Strategy shift yet to materially deliver, however. Read more…
-
Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: spotlight on networks in largest OpCos
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: questions remain over Vi 4G rollout strategy; 5G success reputed in Germany; and shared services momentum builds, months after Accenture-backed division launch…