All European Commission (EC) articles
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Partnerships & AlliancesDigi keeps MásOrange waiting on Spanish roaming decision
Digi Spain has until 2025 to activate a national roaming agreement with Orange, but could opt for another partner.
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Network & InfrastructureTelefónica makes grab for MásOrange 5G spectrum: report
Operator reportedly looking to purchase 3.5GHz block as newly-merged entity required to sell off further assets under regulatory obligations.
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Network & Infrastructure‘Stop the mud slinging’: DT’s Gopalan hammers German rivals’ fibre competition complaints
FTTH Conference 2024: Tensions spill over in Berlin on fibre leaders CEO panel, with competitors arguing over who and what is to blame for poor position in European league table on availability and penetration. Incumbent Srini Gopalan lambasts ‘rhetoric’, untruths, lying. Read much more…
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Public AffairsTelefónica’s Rao adds to calls for German auction rethink
O2 Germany’s CTIO helps maintain pressure as BNetzA considers next move on spectrum rights.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica FY23: Group fuels up for GPS-guided journey
Operator closes out the year meeting its targets, with CEO Álvarez-Pallete saying foundations are now in place to “comfortably” achieve three-year strategic vision laid out in late-2023.
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty eyes network-sharing deals in a “couple of markets”
MWC: Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries says network-sharing holds potential as part of broader need for telcos to up their partnering game and “return to profitable growth”.
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M&AVodafone lines up Italy escape, taking €8bn in Fastweb cash
Margherita Della Valle’s M&A-led rationalisation programme marches on; Italy set to become second major European market Vodafone exits under new CEO’s regime… but how does the Swisscom deal compare with the Iliad proposal Vodafone turned down?
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Public Affairs“Who the hell is giving these companies money?” — Höttges warns of investment crisis as big four unite
In a “historic” coming together of the heads of Europe’s four biggest operators, calls were made for changes in regulation, spectrum, and merger policy to support future investment. The EC appears open to change on all fronts, but not always as the operators wish.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica open to fresh Digi Spain wholesale deal
Group confident in retaining wholesale client despite optional switch to Orange-MÁSMÓVIL following EC’s merger approval.
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M&AEuropean Commission greenlights Orange-MÁSMÓVIL merger
Transaction to create new fixed‑mobile behemoth in Spain, with market reset also seeing Vodafone España handover, fibre agglomeration…
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: billion-pound network investments, digital inclusivity, and French fibre M&A on the menu
VM O2 moves to forge UK NetCo/ServCo split in operations; associate nexfibre to remain separate, commits £1bn to 2024 build; Orange CEO suggests M&A still on agenda to expand domestic fibre footprint; TalkTalk in negotiations over wholesale arm sale; much more…
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Weekly BriefingsDeutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: Transforming and initialising into annuals, MWC
Latest people moves focused on transformation; initialism-rich MWC preview includes API AI plus ORAN; 3-day weekend off the table in Hungary; TMUS getting serious on churn; EC could helpfully move into reset-mode on sector regulation, ahead of upcoming DT update…
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Public AffairsEuropean Commission bending to Big Telco calls for consolidation — report
Draft policy paper shows EC ready to make big changes in telecom rules to allow its big players to scale, invest and better face other (typically US) service providers, according to reports.
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Network & InfrastructureETNO in existential crisis as Europe weighs response to global business threats
ETNO’s recent State of Digital Communications report portrayed the big beasts of European telecoms as open to change, but hamstrung by regulation and pondering long-term impact of letting infrastructure go.
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Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: Group in a deal-making, people-shuffling mood
Agreements in energy, mobile, and security sectors aimed at bringing in fresh customers and reducing costs across international footprint; leadership changes promise to bring fresh perspectives as strategies shift and new shareholders enter the picture…
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Public AffairsTelefónica’s Álvarez-Pallete takes soapbox to Davos, repeats call for EU refresh
Telefónica’s CEO says deregulation and investment “agenda” needed to drive innovation and increase EU telcos’ competitiveness. Comments come hot on the heels of similar messaging from other industry execs. Entrance of SEPI and stc as Group shareholders not a distraction from new three-year strategy…
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Venturing & InvestmentsEC grants €1.2bn to fuel cloud computing push
4iG, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and TIM among IT and telecoms players collaborating on IPCEI-CIS project, seeking to produce a common, open-source architecture for European cloud deployments. First phase of industrial rollout expected to complete by 2031, with goal creating 1,000 jobs and “positive spill-over effects” in the process.
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M&AVodafone said to near Spanish exit as Zegona preps finance
Reports indicate takeover deal is nearly complete, with Zegona said to have raised debt funding from bank syndicate and Vodafone itself.
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Public AffairsWait goes on for EC’s investment revival ‘vision’
European Commission guidelines for new Digital Networks Act expected before June 2024, but draft legislation not until 2025.
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Network & InfrastructureSpain kicks off 5G SA funding call
Spain opens bidding for UNICO-5G Redes Activas programme, providing €543.8m to accelerate 5G standalone rollout in rural areas of the country.