EMEA Tier-1 Telcos – Page 115
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Public Affairs
DT stops software development in Russia
Operator confirms closure of St. Petersburg development centre in response to Ukraine crisis. “Many” of DT’s thousands of employees have left Russia.
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Network & Infra
Telefónica puts price on Spanish FibreCo — reports
Group appoints AZ Capital and BBVA to support stake sale in rural fibre business. Pension and private equity funds among prospective buyers.
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Public Affairs
Safaricom stands alone against tariff changes
Kenyan communications authority set to cut mobile termination rates by 88%, with Safaricom seen as biggest loser. Rate cuts said to level playing field, and enable greater competition and lower barriers for new market entrants.
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M&A
KKR reiterates Telecom Italia interest
Private equity giant said to have made fresh request to begin due diligence. Follows €10.8bn made in November 2021. TI remains hopeful of its own revival plan via Open Fiber merger.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: £1.5 in NHS contracts
BT-backed lottery bid loses out to Vodafone rival; NHS contracts earn BT £1.5m.
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Public Affairs
Álvarez-Pallete lambasts regulators for being stuck in the past
If WhatsApp et al are not regulated, then neither should Telefónica, he says. Álvarez-Pallete accuses Spanish regulator of dragging its feet over reforms.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica lays out circular economy plans
Group pledges zero waste to landfill and refurb of 500,000 mobile phones by 2030. Backed by MAIA equipment reuse platform. Plans follow GSMA call to action for telecoms sector.
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Innovation
DCMS launches ‘open’ R&D network to overhaul UK innovation
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 the priorities.
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Premium
Ofcom urges service providers to promote social tariffs
Regulator says 1.1 million households struggling to pay for broadband. Social tariffs can help, but only six service providers offer the discounts. Millions of eligible households don’t know about the cheaper plans. Ofcom expects industry to “step up”.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: BT still committed to YouView
YouView’s future secured until at least 2024; e-sports event promotes EE full fibre.
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Corporate
Openreach’s Selley in the dark about Drahi’s aims
Openreach CEO has met the Altice UK owner several times over the years. Selley sees BT as a “very good owner” that has the UK government’s ear.
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Public Affairs
Please Call Me inventor resolute against Vodacom appeal
Nkosana Makate will pursue compensation “until the end of the road” after Vodacom lodged a formal appeal against High Court rulings. Vodacom offers millions to Makate, who claims billions are owed.
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Innovation
UAE lab provides blueprint for BT’s university partnerships
BT using success of EBTIC collaboration to inform university partnerships in Ireland and India, building ties with local academics to support Adastral Park R&D. BT- and Khalifa University-backed EBTIC showcases collaborative innovation projects as partnership enters “Phase 3”.
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Premium
EE claims positives in ESN progress report
EE has upgraded 19,500 masts for the ESN. Extended Area Service sites and PTT system remain ongoing hurdles.
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Products & Services
Claws out for M-PESA from Central Bank, Treasury
Bank Governor Njoroge tells Senate ICT Committee that a standalone m-money business will improve regulation and customer protection in Kenya. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Yatani adds that M-PESA transaction charges are too high. Njoroge and Yatani’s submissions are part of probe into alleged monopolistic practices by Safaricom. Central Bank opens ...
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Technology: 6G not close - Watson
6G benefits a long way off according to CTO Howard Watson; BT launches EcoLab zero-carbon construction pilot.
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Premium
EE leans on Nokia for outdoor small cells
200 street-level 4G small cells rolled out in UK. 5G small-cell trials to start “soon”. Outdoor minicell trials with other suppliers in pipeline.
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Premium
BT rules out frontrunner role in 5G SA
Group expects to launch 5G standalone in early-2023 as it waits for device volume to ramp up. Marc Allera emphasises importance of clearly differentiating 5G SA benefits to customers. Howard Watson weighs in on the cloud native challenge. Rob Shuter sees BT’s new Division X as the “arrow point ...
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Premium
OneWeb rescues launch plan with SpaceX
UK-backed operator can send more satellites into orbit this year after cancelling launches on Russian rockets. Fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits satellite comms operator and threatens years of international space collaboration. Possible knock-on effect on distribution partner BT if service is delayed.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Europe: Cosmote signs with BBC
EC intervenes on Czech MVNO regulation; Cosmote signs content agreement with BBC Studios.