EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 156
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom is big spender in SA spectrum auction
Long-awaited auction finally complete, but legal challenge looms. Vodacom is highest bidder, just ahead of MTN, and snags most spectrum. Government halts plan for controversial Wholesale Open Access Network.
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PeopleVivo stalwarts exit in board reshuffle
Telefónica’s Brazilian operator proposes changes to its Board of Directors, with Group shareholders BBVA and CaixaBank represented via newcomers Gual and Moreno. Former CEO Valente to leave, along with ex-Group COO Linares, and others. Political figures also on the way out.
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Suppliers & SCMDT to judge suppliers on their climate ambition
German operator looking for early win as it turns attention to vast — and growing — problem of supply chain emissions. Hardware vendors will be first to come under environmental spotlight as DT tweaks its RFP scoring system. Move comes following joint project with buying partner Orange.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone continues 5G drive with German standalone launch
Vodafone Germany first to launch SA network in country. Claims more than ten million customers can already access services from home. Partners with DAZN to test 5G mobile streaming of the German Bundesliga. Moves continue notable European 5G ramp-up for Vodafone in 2022.
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PremiumDT names partners for expanded unified comms service
RingCentral, Unify, and Zoom on the partner list for DT’s ‘X powered by Telekom’ communications-as-a-service propositions. Expanded partnerships signed with attention on the public sector, security, and remote working.
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PremiumElsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Group: Inmarsat takeover facing opposition
Illek wary on Drahi’s BT intentions; Nemat urges sector to “be human”; Inmarsat deal said to be causing UK ructions.
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PremiumDT Q4 FY21: Strengthening TDE nails targets
Telekom Deutschland stays ‘in the zone’ with twin-track sales and profit growth during FY21. NatCo maintains commercial momentum in broadband arena. Executives downplay threat of inflation to fibre mega-project. Ongoing growth expected in FY22.
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PremiumDT signs up first customer for 5G SA campus network
Prinzhorn picks DT and Ericsson based on their international reach. Low device availability highlighted as bottleneck for campus network deployment. DT joins German state-backed CampusOS project to drive open 5G campus networks.
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Network & InfrastructureOfcom pursues ‘strategy refresh’ on satellite spectrum
UK regulator says the growing number of LEO broadband satellites is adding pressure on the use of spectrum. Warns that complexities of managing interference between different NGSO systems could have implications for competition. Starts industry consultation to review where best to focus efforts in space sector.
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone to roll out hybrid working, shrink Newbury HQ
Vodafone seeks sale and leaseback options for The Connection HQ, new Manchester and Newark hubs, and repurposed Stoke-on-Trent site all part of shift to permanent “blended working” model. New approach to work underpinned by “flexibility and trust”, instilling lessons learnt under pandemic conditions.
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PremiumDT gears up for 5G SA and network slicing
Cross-border PoC with Ericsson puts ‘E2E’ 5G SA network slicing through its paces. TDE aims to launch 5G SA in 2022. RTL pilot looks to 5G’s future role in live broadcasting.
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PremiumNemat confirms 2023 open RAN target
DT is now looking for vendor partners as open RAN gets ready for primetime. The Group remains convinced of the need for both mobile and fixed-access disaggregation.
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty Global’s Fries hints at UK fibre consolidation
CEO outlines plan to create a separate ‘light NatCo’ for new fibre JV. Liberty Global and Vodafone at inflection point over VodafoneZiggo. Despite fibre plans, Fries says HFC technology will be around for a long time yet.
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Products & ServicesM-PESA not threatened by talk of central Kenyan e-money
A central digital currency would not step on M-PESA toes, says MD Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, but cooperation key to finding efficiencies in a market dominated by Safaricom’s e-money offering. M-PESA at 15: 51 million users in seven markets; Kenyan strength; Super App prospects on the horizon, as is competition.
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Products & ServicesDT’s RDK router revamp gets ready to roll
Group goes “full throttle” on RDK router overhaul. Router software platform seen as foundation for complete home services. DT is “major contributor” of software to open source community.
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PremiumDT Q4 FY21 Spend: strategy on track
Spend: strategy on track Source: Wolfgang Rottmann / Unsplash Spending-wise, FY22 appears set for more of the same, with DT expecting to continue increasing capital expenditure (capex) during the current year, driven by mega-projects at TDE and (particularly) TMUS. It is forecasting €19.3bn in capex during the ...
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M&AVivendi head sees Telefónica–Prisa “synergies” as acquisition rumours continue
Arnaud de Puyfontaine wants strategy alignment with “common vision”. Local reports claim Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez “does not look favourably” on potential Vivendi involvement with Telefónica. Atresmedia also in the frame as part of convoluted acquisition scene in Spain.
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PeopleBT names drone chief to fuel unmanned aviation
Dave Pankhurst appointed Drones Director at BT Digital’s newly-formed Incubation unit. Drones highlighted as one of four key verticals for the startup creation and acceleration division.
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M&AFormer 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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Strategy & ChangeMehta puts BT Digital “on steroids” to power transformation
Chief Digital & Innovation Officer Harmeen Mehta relishes opportunity for dramatic change at BT, as she sets about untangling digital architecture. Google-powered Digital Brain to bolster AI and data platform. Digital jumps on cost savings bandwagon, with £500m contribution expected. Talent and recruitment drive incoming.