Europe – Page 119
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PremiumRead calls out European market failures
Vodafone CEO Nick Read identified four core principles that he sees as necessary for Europe to compete against Chinese and US tech domination. Consolidation of “hyper-fragmented” telecoms market remains a preoccupation.
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Strategy & ChangeShip steadied at Deutsche Telekom UK
Much-diminished British unit says increasing app usage generating uptick in usage and revenue. Business assures over “long-term plan” for DT’s operational presence in UK.
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OperationsTelefónica presents redundancy plan to Spanish unions
Union negotiations begin over new phase of headcount reduction. Reports suggest more than 3,000 staff will be offered voluntary redundancy, although eventual job cut total expected to be lower. Move comes amid ongoing competition and inflation concerns.
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M&ADT ‘exploring fibre JVs in Austria, Poland’
Germany’s fledgling GlasfaserPlus tie-up said to be providing model for other JVs. Report indicates progress is at a more advanced stage in Austria.
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PeopleEurope B2B head exits as DT targets change
Dominique Leroy’s DT Europe continues to build out its enterprise-focused activities as SVP, B2B Ralf Nejedl announces his departure.
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M&ASpain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica adds €750m to growing sustainable bond bank
Group takes total financing raised through sustainability-linked bonds to €3.25bn over two years. Funds ringfenced for legacy network upgrades and rural connectivity builds in Germany, Spain, and (potentially) Brazil.
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PremiumVodafone joins European telco call for open RAN help
Group signs off on Analysys Mason report recommending that European policymakers financially stimulate the region’s open RAN ecosystem. Report also backed by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia, and Telefónica. Wibergh says “Europe needs to urgently prioritise open RAN” to avoid slipping further behind Asia and USA.
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PremiumVodafone extends VMware Telco Cloud to 5G SA
Aims to accelerate delivery of “new digital services” across Vodafone’s European footprint. Builds on Vodafone’s previous selection of VMware Telco Cloud infrastructure as its NFV platform.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 spend: capex boost falls silent, opex squeeze paused
Presentation sees no further update on (somewhat contentious) Group plans for a capex lift to fuel digital services growth. Executives moot another exceptional investment boost in Germany, for fibre rollout. Group Finance’s headline opex reduction programme comes to a temporary halt, amid pandemic effects.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22 Headlines: Vodafone growth maintained despite B2B, Spain bumps
Group benefits as COVID-19 drag steadily eases. On positive side, forward movement maintained in Germany and UK, and picture improves in super-competitive Italy. Blotches include an apparent step back in growth at Vodafone Business, despite its star billing, and a return to reverse gear in perennially challenging Spain.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22: Vodafone's Read hypes prospects as M&A talk hots up
Leadership especially bullish on “momentum” and “sustainable growth” after solid Q2 data. Wave of M&A possibilities surround Vodafone only a few months after Group declared portfolio reshaping complete. Report sees Group maintain growth, but with mix of performances across businesses and a glitch on cost-saving progress. Guidance floors raised ...
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: Plusnet issues persist
More cricket on the schedule; Smart Benefits portfolio bolstered; and Plusnet email issues persist.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone connected mobility platform nears launch
Road safety-focused V2X platform STEP set for early-2022 commercial launch. Vodafone drives connectivity via edge network, with HERE and Porsche among a stable of partners.
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Suppliers & SCMMitie set to cash in on Huawei ban after DAEL buy
FM group indicates it is picking up more business from BT and Vodafone. DAEL Ventures UK brings in ADC capabilities for cell towers.
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Network & InfrastructureDT’s Jacobfeuerborn gives ‘flying towers’ up to ten years to take off
DT-backed SPL is seeking Series B funding. Second edition of GSMA white paper on HAPS due to be published in early 2022. Jacobfeuerborn sees HAPS as the ‘missing link’ between terrestrial and satellite networks.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT’s McRae fights corner for Nordic giants, as peers swing for Eur-O-RAN
BT Chief Architect highlights value of local major NEPs, as European peers promote greater supply chain diversification. Remarks follow McRae support for Ericsson foray into open RAN orchestration. BT committed to open RAN as part of opportunity to ‘network-ify’ applications and functions in new markets. Analysys Mason-backed report highlights ...
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PremiumVodafone people moves: enterprise executives reshuffled
Several senior swaps at Vodafone Business, including a new Chief Marketing Officer and a handful of leadership changes at key verticals. TPG Telecom announces next CFO to fill vacant seat, and new CISO added. Vodafone Spain rejigs senior executives, splits Technology function.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica Innovation & Venturing Roundup: handful of Wayra investments flagged
Handful of investments flagged by regional Wayra hubs with interests in autonomous robotics, ed-tech, and fintech.
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Strategy & ChangeTelco leaders converge on Bilbao for ‘secret’ strategising
Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, and Vodafone represented at the latest European Round Table event. Behind-closed-doors discussions focused on decarbonisation, skills transformation, and single market competition.