EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 194
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Premium
DT adds RingCentral to video collaboration portfolio
Telekom Deutschland offers more video options for businesses. Expanded portfolio includes Cisco, Microsoft, RingCentral, and Zoom.
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Premium
German partners target Dutch digital expansion
SAP, Siemens, and T-Systems look to increasing collaboration as a catalyst for Dutch digital transformation efforts. Trio to come together in trust-based innovation pact with the hope of enabling improved supply chain operations.
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M&A
Vodafone Italy hands highways infra to INWIT JV
OpCo’s divestment bulks-up INWIT portfolio, as TowerCo continues spending spree. INWIT to equip portion of new assets with IoT capabilities in “smart road” drive. Acquisition expected to be green-lighted before end-2021.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone, ABG keep funding taps closed for beleaguered Indian JV
Vi shareholders wash their hands of JV’s plight. Insist that private investment is the only way for Vi to remain going concern. Vi CEO Ravinder Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Pasquali steps into Italy’s Consumer leadership
With Duilio leaving for Sky Italia, Pasquali is lined up to become Director of Vodafone Italy’s Consumer Business Unit. In Albania’s Consumer division, Kir takes the helm. Safaricom makes two changes to its senior leadership team: Kamunyu and Senanu to lead Channels and Enterprise respectively.
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Financial & Performance
BT Q1 FY21–22: another toughie, but with promise(s)
Q1 reiterated as a road to a recovery that will materialise in H2. Consumer reviving but Global eponymously damned. Microsoft deal more than slideware. Virgin Media–O2 FTTP investment could be a backhanded compliment and gift to BT.
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M&A
Vivo open to fibre M&A via new FiBrasil JV
CEO Christian Gebara signals interest if the price and quality is right. Brazilian fibre market becoming increasingly competitive.
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M&A
Cancom joins Telefónica Tech stable
Telefónica Tech picks up cloud and security specialist Cancom, as the Group’s growth-oriented technology division targets a strengthened UK presence. Move appears enabled by compete parameters in Virgin Media–Telefónica UK shareholders’ agreement.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT wants a billion pounds “minimum” from Microsoft deal
Microsoft beefs up its position within BT’s enterprise ecosystem with formation of an updated strategic partnership. BT aiming for a nine-figure revenue target from “complicated”, “big” deal. Software giant separately acquires BT spend-tracking partner Suplari.
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People
Vodafone Carrier Services’ boss moves into key UK role
Vodafone Business lieutenant Nick Gliddon sent in to perform key UK enterprise mission. Move fills vacancy opened up by Anne Sheehan’s exit to Microsoft Ireland.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone eyes corporates with Unisys tie-up
Group launches Digital Factory, offering digitalisation support and integration services for AR/VR, big data, blockchain, edge compute, and IoT. Move chimes with Business:2025 growth strategy.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra buys into sustainable energy startup Solum
Open Future-accelerated Solum adds Wayra cash to funding pot. Embryonic startup to initiate recruitment drive and go-to-market expansion strategy. Move builds on existing relationship with Telefónica.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica’s Rao hails bold approach to customer tech refresh
CTIO highlights ‘co-creation’ role played by partners such as Salesforce.
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M&A
Vivo set for a longer wait as CADE rules Oi deal is complex
Regulator to take its time to examine Oi divestment in detail. Decision confirms fears that closure will likely take place in 2022. Suggestion raised that deal could even be rejected.
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Network & Infrastructure
European Aviation Network charts 5G NSA flightpath
5G NR backwards compatibility with existing Evolved Packet Core main attraction over standalone variant. Allows EAN to simultaneously support existing aircraft fleets using 4G, and 5G fleets when onboard equipment becomes available.
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People
CTO said to exit Vodafone Spain after Tech reshuffle
CTO Ismael Asenjo set to leave, according to local reports. Changes continuing to take hold from reworking of Europe-wide Technology operating model. Move follows appointment of Networks and Digital leads at OpCo.
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People
Ahuja resigns Vodafone directorship
Telecom veteran departs Group Board, citing commitments elsewhere. High-profile resignation comes on eve of Vodafone AGM, with Olaf Swantee set to be sworn in.
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Network & Infrastructure
Joosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
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Strategy & Change
BT Global shuts down Kuwait HQ
Division’s rationalisation of Middle Eastern footprint continues as Group confirms closure of Kuwaiti facilities. Residual presence in country — and region — maintained via new reseller alliance with Ooredoo.
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Premium
VM O2 bites bullet and pledges fibre future
A future upgrade of VM O2 fixed infrastructure will see coaxial cable edged out and fibre deployed throughout the operator’s footprint. Switching to XGSPON instead of DOCSIS 4.0 pricy, but manageable within modest budgets and with multiple longer term benefits. Pragmatic approach to fibre is partly driven by the ...