Telecoms Partnerships & Alliances

All the latest insight, news and analysis on telecoms partnerships and alliances including BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.

Orange is using its first commercial direct-to-device offering to test customer appetite rather than chase mass adoption, while trials with AST SpaceMobile and the battle over European MSS spectrum point towards a broader satellite strategy built around multiple technologies and partners.

Venturing & Investments

Telefónica buys 10% of Seville-based AI specialist OGA

Telefónica España has taken a 10% stake in Seville-based AI and operational research specialist OGA, in the latest of a series of targeted deals that allow the operator to bolt on technical expertise to its B2B portfolio.

Innovation

Telefónica and IQM take quantum computing to Madrid

Telefónica has again teamed up with Finland’s IQM Quantum Computers, this time to deliver the Community of Madrid’s first quantum computer, as the telco strengthens its foothold within Spain’s emerging quantum infrastructure and builds out its “sovereign” quantum ecosystem.

Venturing & Investments

Vivo targets Brazilian SMEs with Squad.com agentic AI tie-up

Brazilian operator again deploys corporate VC vehicle as vanguard on B2B partner development, preparing a commercial tie-up with Squad.com off the back of investment in business.

B2B

Telefónica ties with NOS to drive defence push at European level

Telefónica and NOS are combining 5G, edge, AI and secure communications expertise for defence applications, reflecting a wider European telco push to turn existing technology capabilities into new business as governments increase military investment.

Partnerships & Alliances

Allianz lends Telefónica a hand on digital alarms sales

Movistar Prosegur Alarmas secures sell-through deal with insurer’s Spanish business in latest bid to expand uptake of its connected alarms for homes and businesses.

Network

European telco giants step up united front against US satco threat

Telekom, Telefónica, Orange, and Vodafone are preparing a collective grab for satellite spectrum as operators and policymakers confront the prospect of Starlink and other non-EU players disrupting the market.

Partnerships & Alliances

Revolut picks O2 for expansion into German mobile

Fast-expanding fintech brand brings disruptive virtual mobile service to another European market, launching single, app-native data plan over O2 network.

Infra

Orange advances European ‘AI highways’ with subsea cable expansion

Orange is expanding its subsea footprint once again, backing the Pisces cable project linking Ireland with France, Spain, and Portugal as the operator deepens its push to build the connectivity foundations of Europe’s sovereign AI ambitions.

B2B

BT turns to Microsoft for security as a service proposition

BT leans into low-key partner Microsoft for latest SOC-as-a-service offering as B2B customers face up to the growing threat of AI-powered attacks.

Network

Openreach installs Ciena tech for 800G links to meet wholesale demand

Amidst growing demand for high-capacity infrastructure access from wholesale customers, Openreach has begun the installation of new Ciena technology to support additional capacity.

Special Report

Exposing network APIs was the first step — building the business model is harder

Special Report #2/4: telcos still have a lot of work to do to develop API-based offerings that resonate with the requirements of users, observers say.