EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 159
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Cyta’s bold 5G claims
Cyta claims Cyprus will be first to reach 100% 5G population coverage in EU; Rogers’ Q4 FY21 profits down 10% on last year; Vodafone Qatar builds submarine cable station to extend Vodafone Group-backed 2Africa subsea cable.
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Products & ServicesTelefónica 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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PeopleHöttges steps down from Henkel board
DT CEO gives up another Supervisory Board seat following Bayern Munich exit. Höttges said to have announced Henkel decision internally back in September 2021.
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OperationsVodafone pushes sustainability with IoT farming pilot
MyFarmWeb platform being trialled in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. Move extends Group’s growing focus on agriculture vertical.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Spain ups its 5G and open RAN game
Spanish OpCo puts 700MHz spectrum into action to expand 5G coverage. Launches fibre alternative with 5G fixed-wireless access service. Advances open RAN with the country’s first call and an additional test lab.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT strikes improved deal for Cellnex site access
“Enhanced” terms for a site services deal in place until at least 2031 will support EE’s 5G upgrade in key areas. Cellnex asserting its pro-competitive credentials as it slams the CMA for overstepping its remit in questioning the InfraCo’s planned acquisition of CK Hutchison’s UK towers.
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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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Innovation (R&D)BT breaks ground on sustainable housing project
BT and partners New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Suffolk began construction on the EcoLab zero-carbon affordable home project. Forms part of Adastral Park’s DigiTech Centre, building on ties with the Group’s university partner.
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PremiumVodafone Q3 FY21–22: Read asserts “proactivity” on M&A
Management seeks to seize back agenda amid growing City pressure for urgency on assets sales. Minimal progress appears to have been made on Read’s long-term push for four-to-three consolidation. German operation unsurprisingly draws questions following embarrassing missteps.
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Public AffairsTearful DT tech boss urges sector to “be human”
Claudia Nemat calls for industry to step up on sustainability and human-centred tech development, amid wave of global crises. DT adapts MWC presence in light of Ukrainian situation. “Intensive discussions” took place over event withdrawal. Robbie Williams demo cancelled.
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PeopleTelefónica alumnus tapped for state’s expanded Indra interest
Communications director Sergio Sánchez reportedly added to board at former Telefónica investment Indra Sistemas. News follows a 10% increase in the Spanish government’s shareholding in the company and adds to apparent power struggle in the boardroom.
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Public AffairsVodafone sends Instant Networks to Ukraine border
Vodafone Foundation starts setting up portable base stations to support refugees in Hungary and donates humanitarian aid. OpCos offer free calls and texts to Ukraine and free roaming for customers remaining in Ukraine. Partner Markets span both sides of the conflict.
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Venturing & InvestmentsRevealed: DT’s fibre linkup with ex-Deutsche Glasfaser bosses
Group investment arm DTCP takes large minority stake in startup Fiber Experts Deutschland. Venture sees DT link up with former Deutsche Glasfaser execs Uwe Nickl and Dr. Stephan Zimmermann. Ex-DT executive Wolfgang Kniese involved in venture’s management.
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Partnerships & AlliancesE.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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Suppliers & SCMOutsourcer ISS confident on DT mega-deal recovery
Deutsche Telekom’s German facilities partner says it has worked through majority of deal restructuring programme instigated in 2020. Business continues to target breakeven by end of FY22.
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Partnerships & AlliancesSafaricom signs up VMware as Ethiopian cloud partner
New OpCo to use vendor’s Telco Cloud Platform to underpin network and IT functions as it sets up greenfield operation.
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M&AINWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica’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&AVodafone explores sale of Indus Towers stake
Group plans to use some of the proceeds to take part in Vi fundraising exercise. Bharti Airtel could buy another 4.7% stake in Indus Towers. Indus security arrangements have been modified, but TowerCo still protected from Vi weakness. In Europe, Vodafone could lose Telecom Italia as partner in ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesDT extends 1&1 wholesale deal to fibre
German operator adds ten years to fixed network partnership. Local regulator’s promise for “light” regulatory approach to fibre pays off.