EMEA Tier-1 Telcos – Page 114
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M&A
T-Mobile Netherlands sale finalised
Consortium WP/AP Telecom Holdings concludes long-awaited transaction. New owners keen on ‘business as usual’ approach, with eyes on continued growth. Deutsche Telekom expected to net about €3.8bn from sale.
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Premium
Deutsche Telekom Innovation & Venturing: further funds for vHive & Axonius
DT pumps more funds into drones software developer vHive and cybersecurity asset management player Axonius.
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Venturing & Investments
DT invests in Helium’s distributed network
Telekom Innovation Pool joins $200m funding round in decentralised IoT network operator. Crypto token incentive model sees growth in recent years. Liberty Global among fellow participants.
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Public Affairs
Álvarez-Pallete: scrap ePrivacy, improve GDPR
Telefónica Executive Chairman José María Álvarez-Pallete calls on the European Commission to withdraw its proposed ePrivacy Regulation in favour of better enforcement of GDPR. ePrivacy ambitions of “harmonised” single market will not come to fruition, says the Spaniard. Calls for improved data legislation to compete with Asian and US ...
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M&A
Hrvatski Telekom to absorb evotv assets
Merger of HT Produkcija with Croatian incumbent on the cards. HT Produkcija, fully owned by Hrvatski Telekom and owner of evotv, will cease to exist.
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Public Affairs
“Insulting” pay bump rejected as BT faces fresh union battle
Communication Workers Union refuses £1,200 flat rise, demanding a 10% increase. States BT has a “clear choice” between prioritising shareholders or workers. Union threatens to begin statutory industrial action ballot.
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Content & TV
Movistar Plus+ signs €1.4bn DAZN deal for La Liga rights
Telefónica’s pay-TV platform to broadcast every Spanish top-flight match for five years from the 2022–23 season. DAZN retains production responsibilities, with Movistar Plus+ customers granted access to broadcasts. DAZN continues telco partnership strategy to ease rights costs.
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Network & Infra
Gopalan defends Group’s caution on fibre
TDE CEO Gopalan said broadband strategy paying off. DT expects to build 60%–65% of Germany’s fibre infrastructure. Vodafone Germany’s 5G+ dismissed as mere marketing.
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Network & Infra
From castles to classrooms: Wales tests rural 5G case
Project explores 5G value for rural communities with focus on agriculture, education, tourism, and transportation. EE 5G network connects sites in Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire. 4G and 5G are considered key to closing rural broadband gaps in Wales, but policymakers can do more to encourage investment.
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Public Affairs
CNMC pledges post-merger review of Telefónica regulations
Proposed merger of Orange with MÁSMÓVIL would create largest player by subscribers. CNMC President will seek to balance obligations of telcos with those of digital platforms. Regulator reports on football rights contracts are being ignored.
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Network & Infra
BT’s Allera: “we got it wrong” on digital switch-over
BT Consumer CEO Marc Allera hits pause on Digital Voice rollout amid public backlash about impact on elderly and vulnerable customers. Analogue-to-digital migration set to continue for those that want it, while BT deploys safeguards to assure concerned customers.
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Premium
Vodafone UK backs DCMS innovation overhaul
UK Telecoms Innovation Network aims to build transparent, open hub for public and private R&D opportunities. Seeks to fix supply chain diversity issues in UK telecoms and export technology abroad. Interoperable network tech among priorities.
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Network & Infra
VM O2 taps VMware to boost 5G rollout
Expanded collaboration to deliver 5G services “without limitations”. VMware continue work on Virgin Media O2’s ongoing deployment, which began 16 months ago.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: corruption in Lesotho?
Allegations of corruption in Lesotho said to be hampering 5G deployment; Vodacom appeals Please Call Me High Court ruling.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: United Internet making moves in Germany
United Internet steps up network launch; TI opens KKR talks.
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Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: territories added to WarnerMedia partnership
WarnerMedia partnership expanded; Vodafone Italy scopes out clean tech; Skodafone tie-up emerges in Ireland.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: Vantage Towers investment rumours
Towers deal talk still bubbling away; VGE taps Comms Group for communications tools.
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Premium
Vi poised to swap out Huawei 4G for Nokia
News signals desire for distance from Chinese vendor. 5G trials underway with Ericsson and Nokia. Details for long-delayed 5G auction expected soon.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: VfNZ exploring tower sales
Entel sells four data centres to Equinix; VfNZ kicks off towers sale process, and acquires majority share in cybersecurity provider DEFEND.
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Premium
Liberty’s Fries hints at VodafoneZiggo talks
CEO Mike Fries said Dutch JV partners are at an “inflection point”. Wholesale opportunity could arise in the UK as VM O2 extends its reach.