EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 206
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Network & InfrastructureEthiopia tender win: gov talks up Vodafone’s ‘quality’
Safaricom-led consortium emerges as sole new entrant in damp squib of an auction. Group’s rare move into new market muddied by competitors’ apparent wariness regarding risks in Ethiopia. Only two bidders emerge for new licences. Fears of incumbent’s political heft added to suitors’ macro uncertainties. Plan for an Ethio ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica on the front foot with R4E ‘re-skill’ programme
Group-backed EU initiative prepping member states for greater digital adoption and changing landscape of job market. R4E aims to re-skill one million people by 2024. Operator holds re-training interests of its own.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: Group appoints Climate Change boss
Sustainability a priority with new Chief of Climate Change post. Changes in Germany include a CEO swap at Omnichannel unit and exit of CISO Hollander. Provisional approval for the VM-O2 merger sees a swathe of proactive appointments — but no room for a handful of O2 UK stalwarts.
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PeopleInglis out as BT continues Board refresh
Another Board change as Mike Inglis, six-year Non-Executive Director, readies for his departure later this year. Sara Weller to (partly) fill his shoes on committees.
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PremiumVantage may be set for new Cornerstone allies
Indications that O2 UK’s Cornerstone stake seen as non-strategic by prospective new co-parent Liberty Global, and could be jettisoned in name of post-merger “national champion” plan. Sale would raise cash for higher strategic ambition of fibre expansion. Liberty’s Fries shows willingness to get hands-on in refashioning VM–O2 post-merger. The ...
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PremiumSafaricom upgrades order management software
Longstanding partner Celfocus said it has implemented a ‘master orchestrator’ to improve order processing.
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M&ATelefónica offloads DCs to Nabiax
Operator exchanges DCs for minority holding in Nabiax. Long-term housing services agreement established. Deal mooted to worth around €100m.
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Partnerships & AlliancesProsegur wants to take Telefónica JV international
Overlapping LatAm markets being eyed for expanded partnership between Telefónica and connected security partner Prosegur. Movistar Prosegur Alarmas JV said to be maintaining growth in Spain, despite lockdown.
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PeopleKanaris takes helm at Vodafone Romania
Senior-level musical chairs at eastern European OpCos. Murielle Lorilloux moves to Vodafone Business. Top spot at Vodafone Albania up for grabs.
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Venturing & InvestmentsElsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: TPG set for FWA launch; Vi shifting away from Huawei
TPG set for FWA launch; Vi transitioning away from Huawei; INWIT agrees to equip Milan metro with 5G-friendly DAS technology.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s data centre refresh
Safaricom plans data centre refresh; Millicom backs out of Tanzania.
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Suppliers & SCMBT buys into blockchain-based vendor monitoring group
Tech-led transformation of telco’s procurement operations continues via adoption of IBM-backed Trust Your Supplier system. Group joins Vodafone, DT, and Verizon in backing new scheme. Move support category-aligned setup of standalone ProcureCo in Dublin.
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Premium3G sunsets accelerate amid re-farming push
After Germany and the Netherlands, more Vodafone businesses are laying out plans to repurpose 3G spectrum for 4G and 5G networks.
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PremiumVodafone ties with O2 to tidy up mid-band spectrum
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with Vodafone trading blocks with O2, while BT opted to buy preferable positions outright. Vodafone–O2 swap ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Deegan questions Spain's 5G investment policy
5G- and VR-powered maintenance deal on Italy’s railways; call for network investment reform in Spain.
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Strategy & ChangeCornerstone exit could be early item on VM-O2 agenda
Indications made that prospective JV’s Cornerstone stake seen as non-strategic, and could be jettisoned in name of “national champion” Grand Plan. Sale would raise cash for higher strategic ambition of fibre expansion. Liberty “gearing up” for talks with partners to team up on Gigabit rollout. Fries showing willingness to ...
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Network & InfrastructureBT warns “Quantum Apocalypse” might happen in 2024
Optical research expert says quantum computers could crack current public-key cryptosystems within a few years. Ubiquitous fibre connectivity particularly vulnerable to attack. BT sees QKD — “fighting quantum with quantum” — as key in safeguarding national critical infrastructure.
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Products & ServicesVena: BT launches “smart” broadcast network
BT Media & Broadcast division unveils Vena as end-to-end broadcast platform. Enabling remote production at core of new service, reflecting expedited industry-wide transition during pandemic. Two “major broadcasters” already on the books. Evolution pending in existing Media & Broadcast partnerships.
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OperationsDeutsche Telekom Pan-Net adds Austrian DCs
Three new data centres added to Pan-Net’s Europe-wide footprint of 17. Project manager Lazova flags DCs ready for “application onboarding” .
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach offers a hand in all-IP migration
InfraCo launches Call Waiting List as part of analogue shutdown educational campaign. Customers encouraged to sign up for guidance and advice on digital migration, in bid to hang up analogue lines by the end of 2025.