All European Commission (EC) articles – Page 2
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Analyst BriefingFrancewatch: SFR takeover review gets underway
Analyst Briefing: France’s telecoms market is entering another decisive phase, with the SFR takeover review now in national hands, Orange reshaping its infrastructure strategy, and regulators turning fresh attention to fibre quality as consolidation pressures build.
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NetworkEU enters IRIS² build phase with expanded capacity plans
EU kicks off “full-scale deployment” of satellite programme two years ahead of schedule, with expanded architecture and accelerated deployment timeline. Supplier base firmed up and an additional €4bn in funding aimed at helping EU deliver ‘sovereign’ defence and security services faster…
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Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch: EU moves to plug data centre funding gap
Analyst Briefing: Latest on EMEA digital infra, including the launch of the EU’s call for tenders for the AI Gigafactory data centre scheme, a series of wireless infra transactions in the Middle East and Africa, and the Netherland’s KPN threatening further cutbacks after regulator’s decision to block DELTA Fiber deal.
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NetworkEU fires starting pistol on €30bn AI Gigafactory bidding process
Bloc moves to get construction of new mega data centres underway next year with provision of funding, as well as procurement and supplier deals. EU flags aims to balance sovereign ambitions with building out “at speed”…
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M&ABouygues CEO says SFR review could stretch into 2028
Olivier Roussat appears less confident than his opposite at Orange that the deal will be completed before the end of next year, as originally hoped.
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Analyst BriefingDeutsche Telekomwatch: mapping out German mobile
Analyst Briefing: The latest developments from around Deutsche Telekom’s cross-Atlantic empire, as innovation gains are pursued in quantum networking and digitisation, and DT flags ecosystem development work with partners including Aduna, Ericsson, and OpenAI.
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AnalysisReality check: assessing telco claims of Europe’s High-Risk Supplier crackdown cost — Strand Consult
Guest analysis: with 30% EU exposure remaining, concentrated on 5G RAN, specific countries and three big telcos, John Strand considers media and industry warnings of HRS rip-and-replace costs overstated, evidencing Denmark, the UK and other European markets as showing transition can be managed without derailing 5G rollout. In an age of national security, he also deems it essential for securing future mission-critical contracts.
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NetworkDT keeps lead role in EU quantum networks build
Group appointed coordinator-in-chief of Europe’s PETRUS2 scheme, with goal of aligning business and government on quantum networks rollout. New project comes as EU kicks off “next steps” in wider EuroQCI initiative…
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M&AEC cedes oversight of SFR takeover to French authorities
Iliad’s SFR transaction was a potential sticking point, but the EC has agreed to refer it to France, with discussions already underway with Bouygues Telecom and Orange.
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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.
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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…
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NetworkTelefónica ‘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…
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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.
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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.
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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…
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NetworkSpanish 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.
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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…
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NetworkViasat 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.
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Finance & StrategyIliad 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…
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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…