EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 186
-
Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
-
Products & Services
Virgin Media O2 plans IPTV service launch
First streaming service offer targeted at young consumers. VM O2 sizes up aggregator opportunity.
-
Network & Infrastructure
DT looks to the future with German ‘fiberisation’
Group’s Dido Blankenburg sees connecting homes as the next big debate. BNetzA highlights need for lighter fibre regulation and cooperation among market players.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Systems Solutions: oneclick expands partnership
oneclick expands partnership; Telekom Security offers training tools.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: “long-term” Sky partnership
Management refresh at congstar; Sky and TDE build up partnership; operator shops at Aldi for home tie-up.
-
Premium
Vodafone Group’s Dutch and British tower partners look to cash in
Liberty CFO says group “not in love with” tower ownership and keen to unlock value in Belgium, Netherlands, and UK. Telefónica hands Goldman Sachs reins to examine prospective Cornerstone share sale.
-
Innovation (R&D)
BT ties with Sweden’s Skydome on emergency response
VR leveraged by embryonic Skydome for incident monitoring purposes. Startup’s R&D partners include Intel. Potential for deployment at BT’s network of smart ports.
-
Premium
CityFibre bags fresh cash injection
Openreach challenger announces fresh funds through stake sale and bond issue. Capital “enables” Project Gigabit ambitions. CityFibre’s FTTP rollout reaches 650,000 premises. Altnet momentum builds with an estimated £8bn in investment publicly promised.
-
Venturing & Investments
Wayra UK sets up fundraising support initiative
UK incubator leans on expertise of outside consultancy to launch Wayraise scheme. Mountside helping ensure Wayra businesses are “investor-ready” and works to facilitate greater flow of VC into startup ecosystem.
-
People
BT Sourced adds transformation lead
Former Allianz buying head appointed Director, Procurement Transformation.
-
M&A
Telefónica joins Liberty in move towards UK tower sale
Goldman Sachs reportedly handed reins to examine prospective Cornerstone share sale.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Nokia resumes O-RAN Alliance activity
Group revises procedures to alleviate concerns over US export rules. Deutsche Telekom is “fully committed” to the Alliance. USA considering clarifications for standards organisations.
-
Public Affairs
Telefónica on edge as rambunctious Peru government beds in
Reports highlight fears that multinationals in Peru may face tougher opposition in trading and taxation disputes as the new Peruvian administration develops its strategy under a strongly left-leaning President. Risks the future of a local Telefónica InfraCo; could face complications in a challenging political climate.
-
Innovation (R&D)
BT quantum-secures hollow core fibre in trial
QKD hook-up with Lumenisity HCF pitched as world first. Lord says trial “accelerates the UK’s lead in quantum technologies”. Widespread HCF deployment still some way off, however.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions ties with AWS for DevOps focus
New taskforce to adopt agile working methods with AWS engineering support. First project will focus on AI-based customer assistance solution from November.
-
M&A
OTE takes full ownership of Romanian mobile business
OTE’s near-100% absorption of mobile business a regulatory prerequisite for sale of its fixed sibling to Orange. Telekom Romania’s 30% holding given €59m price tag. Previously the subject of sale speculation, TRMC now fully focused on organic growth, with new Bucharest headquarters portrayed as “fresh start”.
-
Products & Services
Govertis added to Telefónica’s Peru line-up
Cyber consultancy and Telefónica acquisition bolsters Telefónica Tech Peru portfolio. Movistar Empresas to offer compliance and risk services.
-
Premium
BT Pension Scheme completes Hermes exit
Federated Hermes actions call option to acquire BTPS’s residual shareholding in fund manager. BT on track with pension deficit recovery plan.
-
Premium
TEAC UK edge startup Ori adds KX analytics
Speedy analytics and edge compute platform for enterprises. Another step in BT’s private edge network ambitions.
-
Premium
BT includes rugby in Vena line-up
Tressler enthusiastic about Vena commercial model for sports. Media and Broadcast launches Vena ‘quick start’ programme to learn more about sports’ requirements.