EMEA Tier-1 Telcos – Page 159
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Suppliers & SCM
BT Sourced adopts Globality’s smart purchasing tech
Pourrat’s new ProcureCo leveraging AI to “transform” buying processes. Globality platform to enable simpler, speedier way of doing business. Tie-up of importance to ECG compliance strategy.
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B2B
Telefónica Tech opens portal to quantum realm
Next-gen services arm bulks-up portfolio with EaaS add. Multi-purpose potential of quantum encryption tech highlighted. Quiet engagement with Spanish startup bears fruit in new commercial partnership.
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Venturing & Investments
hubraum begins hunt for network sustainability startups
Innovation hothouse hubraum closed applications for its Network Sustainability Award, being run in partnership with Solar Impulse Foundation. Microsoft, Orange, and SK Telecom also in support. Green network management and energy production among the focuses as Deutsche Telekom ups its climate protection endeavours.
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Network & Infra
Swisscom signals interest in Germany’s campus network programme
Swiss operator flags emerging demand from multinational clients for private 5G networks at facilities in Germany and elsewhere. New tie-ups may be necessary. Deutsche Telekom says the Swiss telco is welcome to contact it at any time.
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M&A
Vodafone interest AST SpaceMobile completes merger
LEO satellite venture combines with special purpose acquisition company to fuel expansion, with eyes on going commercial with a helping hand from Vodafone. “ASTS” trading on NASDAQ. CEO Avellan unfazed by competition from SpaceX and co.
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M&A
Bids expected for Telxius subsea cables
Telefónica debt reduction strategy set to extend to submarine infrastructure as buyers are sought for 100,000km cable network. Reports indicate that an agreement is wanted by mid-2021, with rough valuations standing around the €2bn mark.
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M&A
BT absorbs Local Business agent Fourfront
Reseller relationship brought in-house in small transaction. BT says no shift in strategy for SME go-to-market.
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Network & Infra
T-Mobile Netherlands bulks up on fibre via new KKR venture
Dutch NatCo builds on Primevest investments as first anchor tenant of Open Dutch Fiber. New fibre venture taps former CEO and CCO of Vodafone Germany partner Deutsche Glasfaser. Move raises further questions over Group plans for its Dutch business.
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Suppliers & SCM
BT Sourced embarks on buyside disruption
Low-key launch for BT’s “standalone” procurement company. Time will tell if greater reliance on digital tools will turn BT Sourced into “procurement disruptors and trailblazers”.
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Operations
BT’s revamped Newcastle office set for re-opening
Operator to inaugurate opening of “one of first” upgraded offices under Better Workplace scheme. “First phase” of site redevelopment completed, with hybrid working practices helping maintain operations in meantime. Gosforth to prioritise employee welfare as a means to boost customer service.
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B2B
BT Enterprise eyes 2023 for 5G lift-off
Spencer says better performing 5G standalone networks needed to kick-start market. Operator inexperience in provisioning spectrum for private networks another brake on enterprise adoption. University Hospitals Birmingham and Belfast Harbour again hailed as BT’s main B2B 5G success stories.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica softens Millicom litigation demands
Millicom calls to dismiss legal case ruled out by Supreme Court. Telefónica dampens demands to instead seek damages. Litigation remains in motion.
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Premium
Telefónica joins talks on EU’s €10bn cloud project
Brussels seeks industry support and investment for federated cloud plan. New alliance to focus on edge computing and industrial data spaces. Telefónica among telcos expected to play a role. Project to work with GAIA-X, avoiding duplication.
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Premium
Spain ties up 3.5GHz loose ends
Telefónica, Orange each acquire 10MHz concession for €21m reserve price. After elongated allocation process stretching over five years, Telefónica ends up with 100MHz of 5G-friendly 3.5GHz spectrum, second only to Orange (110MHz). Timelines fuzzy for auction of 700MHz and 26GHz frequencies, two other bands long identified by Madrid as ...
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Premium
Telefónica España plans 400Gbps IP Fusión upgrade
Pilots with Huawei and Nokia reveal optical transport capacity potential. 400Gbps rollout to start this year in Spain. Huawei technology achieves 600Gbps and 800Gbps in optical mesh tests.
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Premium
O2 UK secures more 5G spectrum
Ofcom raises a total of £1.4bn in principal auction stage — several hundred million pounds less than expectations. Regulator has now opened the first phase of negotiation period that should enable operators to build contiguous blocks in the 3.4GHz–3.8GHz band. Lower spend on licences (so far) should provide an ...
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Public Affairs
Vodafone, Fastweb file lawsuits against TIM
Operators seek combined €1.1bn in damages, with incumbent accused of anti-competitive behaviour. Complaints follow AGCM investigation. TIM preparing “solid” defence on all fronts, with prospective merger partner Open Fiber weighing in too.
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Premium
Vi keeps tight rein on spectrum spending
As expected, Indian JV is by far the lowest spender in India’s recent multi-band spectrum auction. All three operators shun 5G-friendly 700MHz spectrum because of high reserve price.
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Premium
Colao proposes 1Gbps for all Italians by 2026
Minister for Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao outlines his ambitions for Italy’s economic recovery. Rapid roll out of gigabit broadband is essential to the plan. But the stalled national broadband network plan must be resolved soon.
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Premium
Vodafone UK secures mid-band 5G spectrum
OpCo decides against buying low-band airwaves as it intends to refarm 900MHz for 5G. Total amount raised is below expectations, indicating lack of appetite among operators for bidding war.