All European Commission (EC) articles
-
Public AffairsEU’s DNA faces pushback, with MVNOs wary of spectrum rule changes
MVNOs World: With the upcoming Digital Networks Act, the EC aims to create a fresh start for the region’s telecoms industry and provide a much-needed boost to the bloc’s competitiveness. But it seems few see the norms, as proposed, as likely to deliver the galvanising force the Commission intends, with challenger players remaining concerned they will have to take one for the team as the EU bids to shore up their incumbent network operator rivals.
-
Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch: AI, defence, and quantum strategies take shape
Analyst Briefing: Vodafone advances on multiple strategic fronts, from network integration and defence expansion to AI deployment and post-quantum security; plus another Tomorrow Street alumnus gets a Voda deal, Greek fibre plans, and SpaceMobile builds momentum…
-
Network & InfraTelefónica ‘completes’ Spanish edge site rollout
Operator activates all 17 edge nodes envisaged under Edge Plan, with “modular platform” for businesses to access infrastructure and a range of other digital services. Rollout sees the Group seek to continue expanding B2B services portfolio to help achieve Transform & Grow targets…
-
Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: EU’s €300bn data centre gap
Analyst Briefing: Latest on EMEA digital infra, including news of huge investment needs for data centre expansion in the EU, talks between Vodafone and PPC to create scaled fibre challenger in Greece, and blocking of The Netherlands’ Glaspoort from acquiring DELTA Fiber assets.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesOrange ties with French energy agency on AI networking
Operator kicks off five-year ‘semantic communications’ project with French government agency aimed at improving network efficiency, slashing energy costs, and laying the groundwork for AI-native networks.
-
Analyst BriefingFrancewatch: Telco trio forges SFR deal, but much work lies ahead
Analyst Briefing: France’s three leading telcos have signed an agreement to buy SFR; Orange has completed its MásOrange takeover; and a round-up of Orange’s stable Q1. Plus more in subsea infra, data centres, and AI networking…
-
Network & InfraSpanish government green lights Telefónica-led Gigafactory bid
Spanish government gives the go-ahead for public-private venture that will lead European AI Gigafactory project. Private shareholders include Telefónica, ACS, and Santander.
-
M&AOrange takes big steps forward on French, Spanish M&A
Orange has advanced its European M&A agenda, completing the full acquisition of MásOrange in Spain and moving forward a complex three-way deal to dismantle SFR in France. The competitive dynamics of both markets are being reshaped…
-
Network & InfraViasat sees inflight comms ties with DT as ticket to EC spectrum extension
Satco’s CEO suggests European Aviation Network clientele and partnerships could back up its bid to retain expiring 2GHz spectrum rights in region, as European Commission prepares sovereignty-flavoured contest. Inflight broadband platform could be modernised if frequencies are secured, Viasat suggests.
-
Financial & PerformanceIliad in bullish mood despite SFR talks dragging on
Q1 FY26: CEO hails a “good” first quarter for the group, in contrast to takeover target SFR. Expansion of AION Gigafactory consortium also highlighted…
-
Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: Europe’s fibre re-fi ‘wall’ looms
Analyst Briefing: ING warns of “enormous refinancing wall” coming for fibrecos in 2027; Deutsche Glasfaser completes long-awaited debt raise; Proximus and Telenet finalise Belgian fibre rollout tie-up; INWIT said to eye data centre play as tower competition heats up; and more…
-
M&ATelcos welcome ‘long overdue’ EC draft merger guidelines
Telcos now have the opportunity to provide informed feedback as the long‑awaited draft on European Union merger guidelines is published.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica forges Spanish defence ties with Sateliot
State-backed providers agree to integrate their terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks to develop new defence and security solutions, adding to Spanish government’s web of sovereign technology interests…
-
M&AOrange’s Heydemann is confident on new SFR takeover bid
CEO of French incumbent is hoping for a positive response to its second bid for assets from distressed rival SFR, alongside Bouygues and Iliad. As well as dangling a higher, €20bn+ offer in front of seller Altice, she notes a change to the deal’s structure would help the French trio mitigate some execution risk. She also remains confident of the case for consolidation.
-
M&AFrench trio increases bid for SFR, starts exclusive talks
New offer gives SFR a total enterprise value of €20bn, with Bouygues still in the driving seat, Orange and Iliad onboard.
-
M&AOrange nets EU clearance to absorb MásOrange
Regulatory approval of the €4.25bn deal was clearly a perfunctory affair, and will give back Orange full control of its Spanish operations.
-
B2B‘This isn’t MWC slideware’: European telco group demos federated edge platform
MWC26: Telco partners flag expansion and progression of European Edge Continuum project, aimed at enabling cross-operator deployment of applications.
-
M&A‘Loosen the leash’: Telefónica’s Murtra repeats call for telco M&A rethink
MWC26: Spanish group’s Executive Chairman Marc Murtra again urges European regulators to loosen the shackles on telco deal-making.
-
Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: MTN’s tower take-back; Eutelsat puts LEO front and centre
Analyst Briefing: MTN plots IHS Towers buy; Eutelsat doubles down on LEO as it calls off Flexsat GEO project; Ardian said to mull Brookfield tie-up for INWIT takeover; more…
-
M&AEC cites need for ‘European champions’ as merger guidelines review looms
In depth: Anticipation builds as first sighting of revised EU merger guidelines is slated for April, and telcos are busy lobbying for an M&A rule change…