EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 193
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Financial & PerformanceVi AGR appeal torpedoed; Birla seeks to jump ship
Vi challenges Supreme Court decision to stick with DoT’s AGR liability calculation. Vodafone’s junior partner Kumar Mangalam Birla resigns as Vi Chairman shortly after India’s top court sides with DoT. Vi CEO Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom looks closer to Ethiopian fintech expansion
Newly established Ethiopian OpCo reportedly given green-light to offer fintech service by market regulator. But incumbent rival already gifted year-long head start in m-money services realm.
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Products & ServicesIoT.nxt takes sports performance platform on tour
Rugby team the first to leverage IoT.nxt’s PLAYER.Connect real-time sports performance platform. Vodacom-owned IoT specialist targets fresh industry segment, drawing on breadth of Vodafone partnerships.
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M&ATelefónica (finally) exits Costa Rica
Group finalises long-awaited divestment. Final transaction price is $538m, around $40m short of previously agreed deal. Movistar marque utilised by Liberty as it pursues multi-brand strategy in Costa Rica. Former Movistar Costa Rica exec to head operations.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: senior Vivo swaps
Vivo names executive changes including operations and talent directors. Wayra’s long-time leader Arias exits for Madrid VC. Truphone draws more tier-one expertise with former O2 UK Transformation Director promoted.
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Network & InfrastructureJansen now sees BT chasing 30 million premises with full-fibre
Extra five million presented as ‘infill’ and presumably more rural. Immediate competitive riposte to news of Virgin Media O2 FTTP retrofit, which it neatly doubles. Jansen says BT not concerned, but challenger altnets should be. No rush for fibre JV partner, but Jansen reveals a UK compatriot would be ...
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PeopleBT targets serial moderniser to back Jansen transformation
Strong media rumours emerged identifying former Royal Mail Chief Executive Adam Crozier as the likely Chairman-successor to du Plessis, reflecting continued pressure on BT to accelerate restructuring. Crozier would come with little direct digital background, but considerable experience of shaking up venerable institutions, and with recent experience linked to ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesSky “fundamental” to BT Sport strategic partnerships
As BT’s sports broadcasting division hunts for minority investors or strategic partners, CEO Jansen puts Sky tie-up front and centre. ITV backs away from chipping in, but remains keen on partnership.
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Suppliers & SCMVPC’s Wilson praises Lenovo for help in pandemic crisis
Ninian Wilson impressed by Lenovo’s ability to meet “huge demand” for laptops when Vodafone call-centre operatives needed to work from home during lockdown. Extends existing Lenovo contract as reward: “when people help you in a crisis you don’t forget”.
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M&ARakuten acquires Telefónica open RAN investment
Rakuten to acquire Altiostar, Telefónica minority investment and “partner of choice”. Telefónica relationship with the US-based open RAN specialist extends beyond stake holding, with collaboration in network development and deployment in Europe and Latin America.
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PremiumVodacom optics take off with Nokia tech
South African optical network trials hailed as a success, with Nokia hardware enabling long-distance, high-capacity data transmission. Testing seen as a proof of concept for wider rollout and 5G services expansion.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVivendi reignites Telefónica relationship with new stake
1% shareholding set to be just the start of a closer alliance and reflects the media group’s enthusiasm for strategic telco partnerships. Partnership opportunities exist across the Telefónica footprint, but Spain appears the main area of interest for Vivendi. The move reverses earlier Vivendi exit as a Telefónica investor, ...
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PeopleVivo CIO segues into FiBrasil top job
Telefónica’s new FibreCo JV names Vivo veteran as CEO. CIO vacancy opens up at Brazil OB.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica Tech extends cloud reach in Brazil
TC&CT division snags 49.99% stake in Vivo’s CloudCo Brasil. Deal builds on TC&CT’s earlier purchase of CyberCo Brasil. Working in parallel with local operating businesses becoming a Telefónica Tech trend.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica ploughs second batch of funding into “critical” Nozomi
Group’s Tech Ventures vehicle adds to funding in industrial cybersecurity player Nozomi Networks. Telefónica Ventures MD Gawendo talks up the value of the tie-up as Group seeks to beef up IoT security capabilities. Additional investment strengthens relationship between the commercial and strategic partners, started in 2020.
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OperationsIndus Towers said to firm up IT systems rework
TowerCo CEO flags progress in pursuit of post-merger synergies. “Indus team” completes IT systems integration, meaning management of 180,000+ site portfolio falls under one roof.
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Strategy & ChangeVM O2 preps for wholesale with code powers application
Concerns over securing acceptable commercial terms for key sites on VM O2 network behind request for additional tenancy rights. Code-based flexibility will simplify the process of enabling wholesale access to sites, while supporting potential network expansion.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica’s alarms JV accelerates sales
Partner Prosegur sees JV outpacing growth of its standalone alarms business. Security group open to alliances in areas where it is not already present.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s tax hike response
Safaricom responds to excise tax hike; M-PESA management rejig reaches Lesotho; change at top of Xlink.
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PremiumBT people moves: procurement revamp sees high profile exits
Changes for BT’s procurement leads past and present as Joshi and Lord make tracks. Maniar named CEO at now-wholly-owned converged offering OnePhone. BT’s Enterprise operation on the Iberian peninsula readies for high-profile changes, with CEO Ronda on the way out. Altnet challengers draw former BT and Openreach talent.