Core Markets – Page 4
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Network & InfrastructureGopalan defends Group’s caution on fibre
TDE CEO Gopalan said broadband strategy paying off. DT expects to build 60%–65% of Germany’s fibre infrastructure. Vodafone Germany’s 5G+ dismissed as mere marketing.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica puts price on Spanish FibreCo — reports
Group appoints AZ Capital and BBVA to support stake sale in rural fibre business. Pension and private equity funds among prospective buyers.
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M&A
Former Telefónica business Atento seeks sale — reports
LatAm contact centre operator hires Goldman Sachs to advise on options, with sale on the table, according to Bloomberg. Telefónica partner and former subsidiary sees share price spike on news.
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M&A
Vodafone Spain faces new challenge as MÁSMÓVIL turns to Orange
Planned JV would become biggest mobile operator in Spain with more than 20 million subscribers. Vodafone left with fewer options in Spain as two nearest rivals join forces.
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Content & TV
Movistar Plus+ lays out international content distribution strategy
Movistar Plus+ Internacional division established to drive original, Spanish-language productions in overseas markets. Buendía Estudios and Sony executive Valenzuela installed to lead the unit. Content partnerships prioritised, with distribution brought closer in-house.
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Financial & Performance
Movistar Prosegur Alarmas revs customer growth
Telefónica’s home security joint venture partner Prosegur pleased with performance and value created from MPA in Spain. Good start for Telefónica partnership in Colombia, as Prosegur looks to replicate Spanish JV model in Latin America.
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Products & Services
Telefónica ponders crypto payment integration
Spanish operator will not be a “mere spectator” on Web 3 and cryptocurrencies, with possibility of accepting token-based payments considered. Chief Digital Officer Chema Alonso describes Group “reflections” on potential role of the operator in decentralised technology developments.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica’s FY21 comms decrypted: anticipating a new, asset-light dawn
Solid organic performance fuels management confidence in Telefónica’s ability to maintain growth and regain traditional swagger. New Spain and UK FibreCos to round off Group infrastructure monetisation programme. Near-term growth may still be dependent on inorganic activity in Brazil and JV success in UK.
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M&A
Telefónica preps new vehicle for digital M&A in Brazil
Local operating business Vivo indicates it may channel deals through a new platform as it seeks to build out its digital services ecosystem. Move would extend Vivo’s control over M&A and provide an alternative route to Telefónica’s central Wayra and Tech divisions.
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Operations
Vivo to begin sunsetting 2G this year
Brazilian operator says cogs starting to move in convoluted 2019 network-sharing tie-up with rival TIM. Switch to a single shared grid set to move beyond pilot phase, enabling operators to begin re-farming 2G frequencies.
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Products & Services
Movistar to ‘reinforce’ Fusión bundles in defensive play
Spanish operator mulls adding adjacent services such as health and alarms to bundles. High-profile Fusión brand could be dropped.
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Content & TV
Telefónica ally Atresmedia enters Movistar Plus+ fray
Spanish media group reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. Move pits Atresmedia against Vivendi, which is also seeking to build up Spanish media assets. Telefónica taking advice as pressure mounts on pay-TV business in Spain.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vivo gets ball rolling on Ânima learning JV
Brazilian operator’s Board clears path to creation of new company focused on digital courses. Vivo confirms 50:50 split with partner Ânima Educação. Some bureaucratic hurdles still to overcome.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica deepens Oracle on-prem cloud ties in Spain
Operator unveiled as host partner for Oracle Cloud Madrid Region. Highlights (again) importance of using in-country data centres to ensure compliance with national data sovereignty regs and help business continuity. Telefónica Tech to offer Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services and boost PaaS offering.
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M&A
Telefónica mulls Movistar Plus+ options as Vivendi circles
Vivendi reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. French media group seeking approval to increase Prisa stake to 29.9%. Telefónica seeking advice as pay-TV customers drain away in Spain.
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M&A
Oi mobile sale hits another road bump
Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) representative at antitrust regulator CADE gives thumbs down to proposed sale of Oi Group’s mobile assets to Telefónica|Vivo, Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. Non-binding decision cites competition concerns and recommends “administrative proceedings” to investigate collusion among trio to exclude other interested companies. Oi says ...
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Spain: Movistar retail staff in line for pay rise
Unions negotiate 1% salary increase for Movistar retail staff; retail revamp continues with five new stores; Telefónica is discussions with DAZN for remaining La Liga matches.
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Strategy & Change
Movistar refreshes ad agency line-up
Operator is seeking new go-to-market strategy for diversified portfolio.
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Suppliers & SCM
Telefónica renews Netflix deal
Extension maintains Netflix content on Movistar’s pay-TV platform in Spain.
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Network & Infrastructure
Haas wants extension of spectrum usage rights
O2 Germany CEO says BNetZA must “promptly” extend duration of 800MHz, 1,800MHz, and 2.6GHz licence concession beyond 2025. Deems nationwide 5G coverage “achievable” by 2025 at the latest, but calls for less bureaucracy to speed up expansion.
