All Emilio Gayo articles
-
Financial & Performance
CityFibre secures £2.3bn war chest to lead UK altnet scaleup round
UK’s largest altnet finalises funding aimed at accelerating operations and driving fibreco consolidation. The question now is ‘what next for Virgin Media O2, its mothballed NetCo spinout, and nexfibre sidecar?’. Read more…
-
M&A
Telefónica to take control of FiBrasil JV in €132m deal
Telefónica’s Brazilian business has agreed a deal to buy out its fibre joint venture partner in a further sign that the Spanish group is now keen to up consolidation and control over past infrastructure side-ventures.
-
Financial & Performance
Mixed results fuel Telefónica’s search for stability
Q1 FY25: Quarter’s numbers highlight inconsistency across Telefónica’s international empire, and reliance on Spain and Brazil for growth — fuelling question of whether new leadership team needs to go beyond existing work on Hispam assets when considering future shape of group…
-
Financial & Performance
Telefónica Q1 spend: thrifty group nears single-digit intensity
Drops in capex and capital intensity re-emphasise Telefónica’s lead over many European telco peers when it comes to moving into new, more outlay-light era…
-
People
Telefónica appoints new CEO in Chile ahead of expected exit
Juan Vicente Martín Fontelles to become CEO of Telefónica Chile in the coming days, as the Group reportedly prepares to offload the unit as part of its long-running Hispam retrenchment programme.
-
M&A
Virgin Media O2 still eyeing altnet buys despite pressing pause on NetCo plan
Virgin Media O2 remains hungry for fibre altnet M&A while its NetCo sale plans are put on ice and its own fibre build rate cools off this year.
-
People
Telefónica Peoplewatch: Indra incursion continues as Murtra makes mark
Latest strategic and senior changes at Telefónica, including reshuffles of both the Board of Directors and Executive Team as follow-ons from Telefónica’s recent ownership changes; Aduna takes shape; exec changes at infra ventures Fiberpass and nexfibre; and overseas changes at BT Business doubles down on the UK…
-
People
New Telefónica boss wields axe; COO Vilá and digital chief Alonso among top exec exits
Telefónica’s tumultuous start to 2025 continues, with confirmation of the exit of influential Chief Operating Officer Ángel Vilá, digital chief Chema Alonso, and tech business boss José Cerdán. More senior staff departures have been mooted, too, as new Executive Chairman Marc Murtra goes big on leadership overhaul to deliver change agenda of Spanish operator’s reworked boardroom.
-
Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: fresh infra deals unwrapped; new execs take the reins
Group secures agreements to upgrade mobile and IT in Germany, Peru, and Spain. In Brazil, Vivo finalises long-sought-after deal to ease financial and regulatory obligations associated with fixed-line telephony…
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Spanish reboot continues, as Telefónica locks in MásOrange, Vodafone fibre tie-ups
Operator firms up details on FibreCo with Vodafone Spain, and confirms signing of Indefeasible Right of Use deal with MásOrange. Move continues ongoing ripple effect of recent M&A on relationships between Spain’s operators …
-
People
Telefónica Peoplewatch: Group names fresh Chile B2B chief
20+ senior and strategic leadership changes at Telefónica, including Group CEO Álvarez-Pallete staying on as GSMA’s Chair; President of Spanish operating business rotating out of helm at Solar360; and Telefónica Chile naming new enterprise lead…
-
M&A
EC clears Telefónica’s Bluevia fibre JV
Telefónica España gains pass to continue with rural fibre deployment in partnership with Predica and Vauban.
-
Operations
Telefónica tightens management focus for Spanish platform play
Previously heralded Industry Verticals unit now up and running as Telefónica implements a more ambitious multi-play strategy. Growing Wholesale business receives dedicated leadership, while regional management will take greater role in supporting B2B sector. Brand manager Serrahima given broader remit to improve customer experience in all sectors.
-
Premium
Telefónica people moves: advisory swaps at Tech
Telefónica Tech adds Jaime Bergel and Eva Fernández to its Advisory Board, taking membership to 14. New operations lead added to Technology functions in Brazil and Germany. Jaime Smith Basterra replaces long-serving Telefónica non-executive Peter Erskine on the O2 Germany Supervisory Board. VM O2 commits to establishing a FinOps ...
-
People
Telefónica-backed content studio renews board
Buendía Estudios elects Gayo Chair, with equal representation from Telefónica and co-parent Atresmedia. Telefónica influence through Movistar’s Oslé, Movistar Plus+’s Burzako, and HQ’s Navarro.
-
Premium
Telefónica establishes solar energy JV with Repsol
Creation of 50:50 JV to take advantage of recent surge in energy prices. New venture will target both domestic and business markets.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica España sticks by Ericsson, Nokia for ‘real’ 5G
Scandinavian duo reportedly selected for 5G SA rollout. No real surprise as Ericsson, Nokia already ensconced in 5G NSA RAN. Spanish government offers sweeteners for rescheduled 700MHz spectrum sale.
-
Premium
Government offers 700MHz sweeteners ahead of auction
Tick in the box for Vodafone as it continues to struggle to secure concessions from European regulators.
-
Products & Services
Handset leases lumped into Movistar Fusión 5G bundles
Three-year lease agreements attached to convergence bundles potentially undermining commitments to removing minimum terms. Price increase in “disguise”, says Spanish media. Telco attempts to drive uptake of 5G-enabled mobile devices, amid 5G rollout efforts.
-
Strategy & Change
Telefónica targets SMEs in Spain’s digital recovery plan
Government pours billions into SME digitalisation programme. Telefónica marshals SME portfolio.