EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 174
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PremiumCarrier Services settles with ClearX on data delivery
Group’s international connectivity unit aligns with Israeli blockchain firm to “streamline” delivery of data services. Colt Technology Services and PCCW Global part of “pioneering” work. ClearX expects data services platform to go live Q1 2022.
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PremiumH1 FY21–22: Openreach enters fibre build phase two
Lonely position as sole BT unit posting positive results for the half year. CEO Clive Selley confident of future return on investment: FTTP rollout moving ahead of expectations; uptake supported by Equinox pricing deal and growing consumer demand.
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M&ASpain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.
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OperationsJansen hopes to get BT on front foot with new HQ
BT’s new HQ opens after more than a year of delays. Jansen aims to remove “hierarchical” business format.
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M&AReliance denies interest in acquiring BT stake
BT share price jumps on report that Indian conglomerate eyeing a move for UK incumbent. Reliance quick to dismiss the article as “completely speculative and baseless”, but City still excited.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica adds €750m to growing sustainable bond bank
Group takes total financing raised through sustainability-linked bonds to €3.25bn over two years. Funds ringfenced for legacy network upgrades and rural connectivity builds in Germany, Spain, and (potentially) Brazil.
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom secures provisional spectrum as auction wait goes on
ICASA manages to fend off further litigation with new interim spectrum allocations. WOAN licensing timetable is put on hold until next year. Auction now scheduled for March 2022.
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PremiumVodafone, Telefónica launch fixed-broadband TIP group
Operators co-chair new TIP project group targeting FTTP access technologies. Vodafone cementing leadership at TIP.
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PremiumVodafone joins European telco call for open RAN help
Group signs off on Analysys Mason report recommending that European policymakers financially stimulate the region’s open RAN ecosystem. Report also backed by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia, and Telefónica. Wibergh says “Europe needs to urgently prioritise open RAN” to avoid slipping further behind Asia and USA.
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PremiumVodafone extends VMware Telco Cloud to 5G SA
Aims to accelerate delivery of “new digital services” across Vodafone’s European footprint. Builds on Vodafone’s previous selection of VMware Telco Cloud infrastructure as its NFV platform.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT renews Middle Eastern partnerships
Long-running R&D tie-up gets extended, with BT’s engagement with Etisalat and Khalifa University stretching a further five years. BT Applied Research MD Tim Whitley among those involved.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 guidance: on-point numbers prompt upward correction
Group gains confidence from “in line” H1 numbers to raise floors on earnings and cash flow.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 spend: capex boost falls silent, opex squeeze paused
Presentation sees no further update on (somewhat contentious) Group plans for a capex lift to fuel digital services growth. Executives moot another exceptional investment boost in Germany, for fibre rollout. Group Finance’s headline opex reduction programme comes to a temporary halt, amid pandemic effects.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22 Headlines: Vodafone growth maintained despite B2B, Spain bumps
Group benefits as COVID-19 drag steadily eases. On positive side, forward movement maintained in Germany and UK, and picture improves in super-competitive Italy. Blotches include an apparent step back in growth at Vodafone Business, despite its star billing, and a return to reverse gear in perennially challenging Spain.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22: Vodafone's Read hypes prospects as M&A talk hots up
Leadership especially bullish on “momentum” and “sustainable growth” after solid Q2 data. Wave of M&A possibilities surround Vodafone only a few months after Group declared portfolio reshaping complete. Report sees Group maintain growth, but with mix of performances across businesses and a glitch on cost-saving progress. Guidance floors raised ...
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PremiumH1 FY21–22: Legacy still a drag on BT Enterprise
Legacy declines continued to outpace new service and digital growth, while mobile wholesale losses dimmed Q2 performance. EBITDA performance buoyed by lower costs. Jansen remains confident in Enterprise’s ability to grow again as CEO Rob Shuter’s organisational changes and new operating model take shape.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: Plusnet issues persist
More cricket on the schedule; Smart Benefits portfolio bolstered; and Plusnet email issues persist.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone connected mobility platform nears launch
Road safety-focused V2X platform STEP set for early-2022 commercial launch. Vodafone drives connectivity via edge network, with HERE and Porsche among a stable of partners.
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PremiumCompelling 5G use-cases still to come, says EE
EE brand director concedes 5G marketing more difficult than when 4G arrived. Anticipates “a lot” of the 5G use-cases will not arrive in the short term. Next phase of rollout plan begins with indoor launch.
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PremiumH1 FY21–22: flat figures at BT Consumer do not curb Jansen enthusiasm
Consumer division sees revenue and earnings knock in Q2. Numbers show slow going on multi-play uptake, and star product and service lines being outshone by accessories. Executives remain bullish on the long-term growth promise of convergence, however.