EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 225
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Strategy & Change
BT seeks to electrify procurement with Faraday subsidiary
Managers for strategic procurement categories being recruited, including network, connectivity, and marketing. Data science remains prominent. New subsidiary’s standalone status emphasised, evidencing detachment and perhaps also ambition.
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People
Vantage Towers CEO says he’s no Vodafone lackey
Vivek Badrinath emphasises operational and strategic independence from Vodafone. CEO claims Europe is 20 years behind the USA in commercialisation of towers. Newspaper interview used to defend upcoming listing on Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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Content & TV
Cloud-based Vodafone TV platform rolls into Germany
Platform launch is one of multiple moves in German TV revamp. Start of migration appears to be happening several months behind schedule. Rollout solidifies Group strategy for TV technology platform.
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Partnerships & Alliances
5G opening doors for BT in Warwickshire
Group pushing for startup ecosystem based on broad-sweeping open innovation partnership with Warwick Uni. 5G to be expediated to Leamington Spa and wider network, with opportunities for gaming cluster highlighted.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS taking an ‘outside-in’ approach, but vouchers there for quick wins
Small targeted interventions and mid-size fill-ins expected to feature in first swathe of public–private contracts. Mega-deals not ruled out. Pragmatic use of Public Sector Hubs another option.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone spectrum auctions to watch, 2021
Markets across Vodafone’s footprint have spectrum auctions planned in 2021. UK, India, Australia among the key bids to watch — though 2020 set a precedent for delays.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS helping England play catch up, or possibly leapfrog
Devolved nations at the back of the queue for new money. Fibre emphasised over cable.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: banking products extended
Vodafone Ghana and Safaricom look to expand financial services offering with new products.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom SA files 4G/5G auction application
Much-delayed auction of spectrum licences still mired in controversy and legal action.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Spain flags Accenture deal
ho picks up pieces after data hack; One More Service sees partnerships in Spain (security) and Hungary (IoT).
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: R&D goes quantum
Group R&D enters quantum realm; Discovery tied on streaming; Vodafone Fiji eyeing regional expansion.
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M&A
Vodafone abandons Egypt exit talks
Long-awaited deal falls through, with STC apparently failing to reach an agreement with minority-owner Telecom Egypt. Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read remains philosophical after trekking to Egypt for talks with the President.
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Premium
Vodafone goes big on LTE-M and man-to-machine comms
German debut suggests increasing Group enthusiasm for LTE-M, and leadership feeling that technology’s time is coming. CTO Mack describes the tech as the “next building block in our network”. OpCo highlights LTE-M use-cases around voice and mobility.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Associates & JVs: Mitie takes Cornerstone contract
Consumer loan service in Egypt set for green light; Vi wants 2G open RAN; India continues to drag out tax dispute.
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Network & Infrastructure
DCMS defends its record as PAC report sees trouble ahead
PAC scathing in review of previous funding plans. Watchdog critical of a lack of planning and joined-up thinking now. Rural sites seen as at risk of being overlooked in trimmed-down Gigabit programme.
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Network & Infrastructure
A lack of joined up governing
Red tape roadblocks remain in place. Business rates continue to stick in craw of infra players. Double-edged sword on state aid changes.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT and Openreach voices being heard
BT execs appear to be getting message across on need for support. Rivals remain keen to extract more concessions from Openreach on infra access.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen just wants to get on with it
Jansen’s BT more focused on regulatory leeway on build than government handouts. CEO wants closer scrutiny of data and digital-based services.
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Premium
DT reveals first Campus Network Program members
Group continues to steadily build out solution partnerships, with emphasis on connected-robotics. Network rollouts spreading out beyond Germany and into major European markets. DT confirms hubraum ecosystem programme will have a bearing on Group products development.
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Premium
TDE gets access systems on same page as A4 goes live
2020 launch target hit for highly strategic — but evidently complex — project. No follow up details on future roadmap.