Europe – Page 113
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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.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica deepens Oracle on-prem cloud ties in Spain
Operator unveiled as host partner for Oracle Cloud Madrid Region. Highlights (again) importance of using in-country data centres to ensure compliance with national data sovereignty regs and help business continuity. Telefónica Tech to offer Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services and boost PaaS offering.
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Public Affairs
Alierta era scandal still haunting Telefónica
Telefónica pays €6m into court to cover potential civil liabilities linked to trial of disgraced former advisor Rodrigo Rato. Newspaper speculation portrays Rato’s co-defendant, former Telefónica counsel Sánchez de Lerín, as “the man with the briefcase of secrets” linked to the telco. Rato litigation an ongoing hangover from earlier ...
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M&A
Telefónica mulls Movistar Plus+ options as Vivendi circles
Vivendi reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. French media group seeking approval to increase Prisa stake to 29.9%. Telefónica seeking advice as pay-TV customers drain away in Spain.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Portugal suffers “terrorist” cyberattack
Mário Vaz, Vodafone Portugal CEO, says recovering from “terrorist” incident will be a “lengthy” job. Data, SMS, voice, and TV services impacted, with emergency services forced onto contingency connectivity plans.
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M&A
Iliad makes move on Vodafone Italy
France-based Iliad Group said to have tabled an offer to Vodafone board last week. Vodafone share price gets short-lived bounce. Read’s self-styled “proactive” approach to M&A under the spotlight (again).
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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.
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Strategy & Change
T-Systems plots expansion in Spain
T-Systems Iberia targets 1,000 employees in Granada by 2025. Iberian unit certified as Group delivery partner for Amazon Connect. Centre of Excellence planned for Barcelona.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Spain: Movistar retail staff in line for pay rise
Unions negotiate 1% salary increase for Movistar retail staff; retail revamp continues with five new stores; Telefónica is discussions with DAZN for remaining La Liga matches.
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Premium
UK operators action inflation-linked pricing
BT, EE join fellow operators in price hike announcements as UK inflation pushes broadband and mobile prices up nearly 10%. Consumer challenges affecting MNOs too, say MNOs. Brexit impact also felt for roamers.
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Premium
Telefónica taps NTT for 5G port project
Security-focused project brings 5G connectivity to Málaga.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Openreach: £20,000 reward for cable theft information
What next for Openreach under Drahi?; apprentice hiring spree targets diversity; Plusnet readies for FTTP entrance.
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Premium
Telefónica people moves: Colombian fibre JV names leadership
Telefónica Colombia’s fibre-building joint venture with KKR launches with a familiar top-team. Collaborative initiatives see Group execs take board seats at GSMA and IndesIA. VM O2 continues to make sweeping changes to senior leadership, with former O2 UK execs Bailey and Soto finding new roles elsewhere.
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Premium
Movistar refreshes ad agency line-up
Operator is seeking new go-to-market strategy for diversified portfolio.
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Premium
Telefónica renews Netflix deal
Extension maintains Netflix content on Movistar’s pay-TV platform in Spain.
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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.
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People
Ex-Vodafone exec to lead Etisalat International
Mikhail Gerchuk takes charge of Etisalat’s international division. Joins Hatem Dowidar, Etisalat Group CEO and fellow Vodafone alumnus.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: recruitment drive for apprentices and graduates
Recruitment campaign to fill Better Workplace offices; shareholder Altice drops Portuguese sale plans.
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Premium
O2 Germany starts small cell open RAN rollout
Two minicells activated in Munich; more to follow. Deployment intended as “model project” that can be replicated in other cities. Initial aim is to complement macro 4G network with extra capacity; 5G open RAN minicells in pipeline.
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Premium
Haas wants extension of spectrum usage rights
O2 Germany CEO says BNetZA must “promptly” extend duration of 800MHz, 1,800MHz, and 2.6GHz licence concession beyond 2025. Deems nationwide 5G coverage “achievable” by 2025 at the latest, but calls for less bureaucracy to speed up expansion.