Europe – Page 18
-
Premium
TIM accepts Ardian bid for INWIT stake
Italian operator to sell majority of its stake in towers venture to private equity firm.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone fibre JV rumours resurface in Germany
UK-headquartered Group reportedly talking to investors. Maximum investment said to be capped at €10bn. Off-balance sheet option wheeled out again.
-
Premium
Rural network spin-off plan revived
New FibreCo to hit the ground running with contribution of existing customers and infrastructure. COO alludes to desire to ‘trigger consolidation’ of altnet fibre space. Spanish FibreCo to have a regional focus, with a nationwide InfraCo ruled out. Search now underway for investors to take a minority stake in ...
-
Network & Infrastructure
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.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Euro giants put O-RAN security and sustainability in spotlight
European open RAN MoU group drawing focus towards the potential for targeted and measurable energy efficiency gains through adoption of open disaggregation, supporting critical operator goals. Security review suggests an open architecture, drawing on IT security protocols and built on a zero trust methodology should prove more secure than ...
-
Network & Infrastructure
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.
-
Operations
Deutsche Telekom puts tower business up for sale
Group said to be prepping auction of 40,600 masts with an €18 billion price tag attached. Cellnex and American Tower reportedly putting together offers.
-
People
Telefónica-Allianz fibre JV adds to management team
Unsere Grüne Glasfaser names Jörn Schoof Chief Commercial Officer, set to utilise experience in regional fibre builds. UGG leadership team now filled out.
-
People
DT, IFM appoint chief exec for fibre JV
Former Etisalat and Telefónica marketing executive appointed to lead DT’s full-fibre side hustle. Appointment made formal after spell working on setup of JV behind scenes.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Vantage bags new infra partnerships
Vodafone Foundation Australia given makeover; Vantage flags two new infra partners; Vi welcomes Mobile Streams services.
-
M&A
Private equity fund offers to buy TIM’s INWIT stake
Telecom Italia looks set to further slim its interest in its towers JV with Vodafone. French fund Ardian leads the consortium of prospective buyers, with a majority share of TIM’s 15.4% stake on the table.
-
Venturing & Investments
Revealed: DT’s fibre linkup with ex-Deutsche Glasfaser bosses
Group investment arm DTCP takes large minority stake in startup Fiber Experts Deutschland. Venture sees DT link up with former Deutsche Glasfaser execs Uwe Nickl and Dr. Stephan Zimmermann. Ex-DT executive Wolfgang Kniese involved in venture’s management.
-
M&A
INWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
DT extends 1&1 wholesale deal to fibre
German operator adds ten years to fixed network partnership. Local regulator’s promise for “light” regulatory approach to fibre pays off.
-
Network & Infrastructure
DT’s new fibre venture gets off the starting line
GlasfaserPlus highlights concrete projects in Alsfeld and Mommenheim. Fibre JV flags advantages over local providers, such as absence of ‘pre-marketing quotas’. Glasfaser Nordwest, DT’s other high-profile fibre JV, continues to build despite regulatory roadblocks.
-
Venturing & Investments
Telefónica partner Asterion fills infra fund number two
Investment manager with close links to Telefónica completes set up of a new €1.8bn pot. Five European markets in sights for energy and telecoms opportunities. Madrid-based business has various ex-Telefónica staffers on team and a history of deal-making with Group.
-
Network & Infrastructure
DT lays siege to Vodafone Germany’s cable MOB redoubt
Vodafone just can’t catch a break, with even German stronghold tormented by reinvigorated DT in aggressive housing association fibre overbuild play. Double whammy as new laws tear open cushy supply agreements. Vodafone banks on client ennui to minimise imminent damage. DT dismissive, even derisive, of Vodafone’s defence.
-
People
Ex-Telekom Deutschland CEO takes chair at altnet
Niek Jan van Damme appointed Chairman at NGN Fiber Network to support expansion ambitions under Eurofiber partnership. van Damme the second ex-Deutsche Telekom name to join the altnet this year.
-
Network & Infrastructure
DT’s fibre JV cleared and gets into planning mode
EC approves proposed GlasfaserPlus JV with no conditions. GlasfaserPlus identifies first 57 communities to be targeted in 2022. DT partner EWE reassures over Glasfaser Nordwest, the Group’s other high-profile fibre JV, which has hit regulatory roadblocks.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: 5G network launched at Viscofan production centre
Telefónica launches 5G network for Spanish smart factory; Intel joins smart road journey; ElevenPaths to deploy document security services for Spanish government.