EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 258
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT backs launch of Europe’s GAIA-X cloud project
DT on team of 22 founding members as GAIA-X unveiled, albeit with technical snafu. Initiative talked up as “starting point of a European data ecosystem”.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica links Osasuna with football tech
Smart shin pad provider Humanox nets deal with Club Atlético Osasuna and Telefónica for Spanish grassroots rollout.
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M&A
MásMóvil equity deal may spark Spanish consolidation
The private equity acquisition of Spain’s number four operator may see a short-term spike in competition, but could ultimately lead to consolidation, easing pressure on Telefónica and Vodafone. Opportunities could emerge for Telxius to pick up MásMóvil masts in the aftermath.
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Suppliers & SCM
BT remedies Prompt Payment Code failings
BT earns Prompt Payment Code signatory status after submitting substantial changes to supplier payment procedures, upping prompt payments to 95%.
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany picks Ericsson for 5G core
Operator chooses to rely on European partner for ‘security-relevant’ 5G core. Huawei and Nokia expected to have equal share of RAN. Government appears close to finalising security guidelines for 5G.
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M&A
BT exits Saudi JV
30-year relationship trimmed back as part of BT’s broader global operations revamp. Transformation process also sees closure of branch in Abu Dhabi.
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People
Can new Chairman bring back Vodafone’s bottle?
Coming straight from a 15-year CEO tenure, new Chairman does not look likely to be a back seat driver. Lack of a telco legacy appears significant, with Vodafone seeking to diversify products and more closely connect with individual customers. Growth-oriented M&A record suggests brief is not to dismantle Group. ...
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People
Vodafone names new Brussels chief
FTTH Council Europe DG enlisted to help Group push for better capital returns in its challenged Europe Region.
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Premium
T-Systems people movements, June 2020
Thomas Deeg gets new remit. New Head of AI; VP of IoT. Airbus and Shell account leadership swaps.
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Deutsche Telekom Group people movements, June 2020
VP change-ups include new Smart-City; Supply Chain; and B2B Digital Business. Christine Knackfuss-Nikolic joins DT from Accenture.
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M&A
EU court ruling could revive network consolidation
Commission found to have been wrong to block O2–Three merger, based on commitment to upholding four-player mobile markets in larger countries. While not yet final, the court’s decision may fire the starting pistol for a renewed wave of consolidation among telcos struggling to manage competition. Commissioner Vestager side-steps comment ...
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Products & Services
Telefónica picks new banking buddy
Commerzbank’s comdirect to support refresh of O2 Germany’s O2 Banking service, after break-up of relationship with launch partner Fidor Bank.
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Innovation (R&D)
Operators prep for 5G reality with Qualcomm
Qualcomm’s OEM certification programme expected to enable establishment of a new XR device category. European operators predict performance and sports content rights can be leveraged to create popular new applications that will showcase 5G’s worth.
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Strategy & Change
DT CSO Tschersich on security in an emergency
DT Chief Security Officer Thomas Tschersich: video conferencing here to stay, but widespread remote working will only work if there is increased trust between enterprise and cloud partners.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT turns to AI to map supply chain long tail
Group looking for new relationships with smaller suppliers that can help optimise ways of working and support efficiency efforts.
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Strategy & Change
DT says no layoffs through carrier services switch
Transfer of international comms operations rescheduled for October, and seen as growth rather than pure cost-cutting play.
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Big Four providing a solid foundation
‘Show me the money’ the key message in Spain. Positivity in Germany and UK. Brazil trading up. LatAm carve-out progressing.
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‘Resilient but not immune’ Telefónica takes its medicine
Plans for a Telefónica joint-venture with Virgin Media provided the big news, while smaller steps taken on wider digital transformation plans. COVID-19 inflicts a manageable early hit, but Group cautious on longer-term prospects. Scrip dividend offered as Group aims to carefully manage its cash and discretionary spending.
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Premium
Vodafone Q4 FY19–20 management update: staying the course, post-coronavirus
Read infers Group is better placed, post-Colao for economic downturn. Della Valle confirms new, AT Kearney-inspired €1bn cost-cutting plan, after trailering move in late-2019. No disruption to Read’s M&A overhaul, beyond Egypt. Targets hit but glitchy performance, both at OpCos and Vodafone Business.
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Premium
Facebook gives Jio a multi-billion pound like
Rival Jio gets fillip from hefty FDI and Facebook digital expertise. Unnamed VfI exec does not rule out similar webscale tie-up for the embattled JV. Indian JV relinquishes last urban stronghold and is set to lose second spot overall.