EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 253
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone makes candid open RAN admissions
Tenorio says industry “not scratched the surface” on systems integration. Achieving lower TCO, compared with large-scale traditional vendors, an enormous task. O-RAN Alliance doing “great job”, but smaller vendors disadvantaged. Ambition of sub-$1000 RRH pushed back until 2021. Tech still not ready for prime time in urban ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica snookered with 5G allocation battles ahead
Threat from Orange and Vodafone palling up on rural network sharing could be exacerbated if the pair are allowed to align mid-band 5G spectrum allocations.
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Suppliers & SCM
O2 supply chain cracks as German rollout goals missed
Indian plant closures and unavailability of field engineers blamed for failure to meet revised 4G rollout targets.
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M&A
Vodafone Egypt sale hit by further delay
stc seeks two more months, with due-diligence and funding in the frame. Telecom Egypt remains thornily enigmatic.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: WFH adaptations continue; BT Sport freshens content
COVID-19-led adaptation continues as BT Sport freshens content and go-to-market, and Consumer debuts second line service for work-from-homers.
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Strategy & Change
Openet closes out charging win for EE
Vendor’s footprint extended beyond BT Mobile. Deal not just about adding capability — cost savings side noticeably talked up and project sees meld of existing charging technology partners.
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Elsewhere in BT Group, July 2020: CAT rules in favour; enterprise tool Onit deploys for BT legal
Long distance truck win; Legal continues to transform.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica looks to cash in a dozen more data centres
Telefónica reportedly eyeing up €150m sale of twelve more DCs to Asterion. Also said to be angling for a stake in interrelated DC manager Nabiax. Same VC fund bought eleven Telefónica DCs in 2019, aiding Group efforts to alleviate debt and monetise assets.
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Network & Infrastructure
IoT key to BT’s DyNS drive
Vendor licensing costs and proprietary hardware acting as a brake on widespread SD-WAN uptake, but more compelling IoT economics bringing DyNS to factory floors. BT partnership with Dell spotlighted as an enabler of BT progress in expanding its portfolio. IoT expected to help drive 5G investment through reliable, low-latency ...
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Fitch gives Vivo AAA-grade
Fitch recognises Vivo’s business model with triple-A rating despite the COVID-19 effect.
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Premium
Government eyes open infrastructure as 2025 plan stalls
DCMS looking at encouraging greater sharing across utilities and telecoms infrastructure, and encouraging Openreach to make use of rivals’ assets. UK government beating drum of infrastructure investment as part of the pandemic response, but references to 2025 Gigabit network deadlines fading into background.
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Premium
BT Sport turns to arch-rival Sky for media sales
Launch partner Channel 4 displaced after seven years.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Tech: BT puts willingness to tackle legacy in writing
BT signs TM Forum’s Open API and Open Digital Architecture Manifesto.
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Premium
BT Group, Consumer & Enterprise moves: Ellerton steps away; Murphy named General Counsel
Consumer gets new Marketing Director from Telenor Sweden.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: ContactEngine partnership gets praise
Innovation leader Millard stresses enthusiasm for automation and digitisation in customer support.
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Premium
Nokia brought in for ESN air cover
Home Office clears way for trial of network add-on for airborne emergency workers, although evidently wary of technical issues that have soured broader programme.
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Operations
Glasgow and Dundee protected from office closures: BT
Ten cities now confirmed as locations BT plans to retain — although EE’s Hatfield base not yet on list.
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M&A
Vodafone Egypt sale inches forward
STC reportedly completes its due diligence. Potential deal still muddied by questions over 45% stake held by Telecom Egypt.
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Network & Infrastructure
US forces UK hand on Huawei, Germany resists
Reports that tightened US sanctions may be a game changer on Huawei security pave the way for a UK government U-turn on its approach to the vendor. In Germany, leaked DT contract details underline willingness of Huawei to hedge operator risks with stockpiled supplies and financial guarantees.
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Financial & Performance
ONS data errors reshape UK telecoms landscape
The Office for National Statistics new methods marks change for the past 20 years’ price decline, but promise more accurate inflation and GDP readings. Change backs telcos’ claims that they are meeting demands of ‘more for less’ in tougher circumstances than assumed.