Digital Transformation
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Strategy & ChangeWhy the best transformation programmes are built around purpose and people
Real-world CEO learnings and best practice from Colt’s Gilder and Teradata’s McMillan. Transformation must be based around purpose that resonates with employees.
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Operations
BT targets skills shortage with Digital Campus plans
Ongoing skills transformation programme will see a virtual learning environment established, dubbed a “one‑stop shop” for employee development. Internal reskilling and upskilling remain central to Group’s sustainable growth plan.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT continues “dramatic simplification” with cloud-first AWS deal
Five‑year agreement adds to recent contract with Google Cloud to advance operator’s digital transformation and simplification drive. AWS named preferred cloud provider for internal applications.
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Network & Infrastructure
Modular IT estate will make BT a ‘digital talent magnet’
Consumer Digital MD Kevin Lee labels in‑house skills and capabilities a priority as BT aims to attract talent in UK and India. Commitment to “reuse” approach to development as part of Group’s digital transformation, with heightened reliance on collaboration. Challenges at Consumer include complex legacy architecture, with simplification deemed ...
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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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Partnerships & Alliances
M-PESA gets interoperability boost in Kenya
Airtel, Telkom, and Safaricom customers granted access to M‑PESA till payments. Central Bank of Kenya says first phase will “deepen digitalisation” for businesses. Airtel Money and T‑kash equivalents still some way off.
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Venturing & Investments
DT invests in Helium’s distributed network
Telekom Innovation Pool joins $200m funding round in decentralised IoT network operator. Crypto token incentive model sees growth in recent years. Liberty Global among fellow participants.
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Public Affairs
Álvarez‑Pallete lambasts regulators for being stuck in the past
If WhatsApp et al are not regulated, then neither should Telefónica, he says. Álvarez‑Pallete accuses Spanish regulator of dragging its feet over reforms.
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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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Innovation (R&D)
BT ‘leaning in’ on UK’s science superpower bid, says R&D chief Whitley
Exec backs government’s research ambitions, with added emphasis on private sector adoption. BT, as a top-five UK R&D player, brings real-world experience blending academia and down-streaming outcomes. Pragmatism over future engagement with Horizon, EU’s politicised R&D programme.
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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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Products & Services
1NCE, Cisco on board as DT and T‑Mobile meld IoT platforms
DT and T-Mobile US harmonising IoT management platforms as operators come together on transatlantic IoT play. 1NCE and Cisco among chosen enablers. Group’s stake in startup increases after 2021 funding round.
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone fosters bot‑to‑bot transactions with DAB trial
Digital Asset Broker platform enables connected devices to complete transactions “without human intervention”. Electric vehicle trial goes live at Vodafone UK’s technology centre in collaboration with Energy Web and Mastercard.
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Partnerships & Alliances
E.ON taps Vodafone for IoT‑backed water meters
Vodafone Germany set to deploy 1,000 “intelligent” meters to detect pipe damage and conserve resources. Plug and play technology aims to hasten deployment and meet anticipated future demand.
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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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Network & Infrastructure
BT wants more suppliers to support quantum leap
Operator wants to bring down tech costs to help commercialise new set of services being prepared with next‑gen encryption. Comments come with telco weeks away from debuting its first quantum‑enabled metro network. Telco prepping international quantum security services play.
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Venturing & Investments
BT opens venturing wallet for on‑demand talent pool startup
Startup acceleration ambition kickstarted with minority stake in Distributed. New acquisition to provide BT access to on‑demand software engineering teams to support development projects, with connected healthcare solutions first up. BT’s Harmeen Mehta hopes such partnerships will alleviate skills shortage pressures and drive her digitalisation agenda.
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Operations
Strategic rise of procurement redefines role of the CPO
Complex ecosystems, new technology, sustainability ambitions, and supply chain risk mitigation are driving change in the procurement function. BT Sourced and Vodafone Procurement Company weigh in on how their procurement lives are transforming. Chief procurement officers need new leadership skills to succeed, says study. Ideal procurement professionals are like ...
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Products & Services
DT to join NFT craze
Operator will open up its own platform in the coming months. Claims clients will not require specialist NFT and crypto knowledge to get started.
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Strategy & Change
DT’s Leroy backs Greek digitalisation plans
Head of Europe Dominique Leroy joins the campaign trail to promote Greek investment via OTE minority subsidiary. €3bn full‑fibre investment plan in action to support national digital transformation. Bureaucracy remains a sticking point.
