Global Telco News
All the latest regional insight, news and analysis from inside and across BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone globally.
Deutsche Telekom quietly exits Dynamic Signal
Vodafone’s nudge technique gets STC ‘back to table’
Portugal’s auction pain continues as Spain shines on digital
Telefónica nearing Uruguay exit?
Wayra UK sets up fundraising support initiative
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
- Network & Infrastructure
CityFibre bags fresh cash injection
Openreach challenger announces fresh funds through stake sale and bond issue. Capital “enables” Project Gigabit ambitions. CityFibre’s FTTP rollout reaches 650,000 premises. Altnet momentum builds with an estimated £8bn in investment publicly promised.
- Venturing & Investments
Wayra UK sets up fundraising support initiative
UK incubator leans on expertise of outside consultancy to launch Wayraise scheme. Mountside helping ensure Wayra businesses are “investor-ready” and works to facilitate greater flow of VC into startup ecosystem.
- Network & Infrastructure
Portugal’s auction pain continues as Spain shines on digital
Sale process now at 178 days and counting. Nick Read continues to sing praises of Spain’s example on digitisation. The CEO again warns that Europe is lagging on 5G and digital infrastructure.
- Public Affairs
Vodafone Germany takes action over sales partner fraud
Media report suggests German OpCo could incur fines over data privacy violations. Whistleblower said to have demanded €900,000 in exchange for non‑publication of data. German case follows privacy incidents involving third‑party agencies in Italy and Spain.
- Network & Infrastructure
DT looks to the future with German ‘fiberisation’
Group’s Dido Blankenburg sees connecting homes as the next big debate. BNetzA highlights need for lighter fibre regulation and cooperation among market players.
- M&A
Telefónica nearing Uruguay exit?
New suitor emerges as Telefónica considers bid for Uruguayan unit. Local politician leading acquisition push on behalf of consortium partners. Reported bid falls some way short of independent valuation.
- Public Affairs
Telefónica on edge as rambunctious Peru government beds in
Reports highlight fears that multinationals in Peru may face tougher opposition in trading and taxation disputes as the new Peruvian administration develops its strategy under a strongly left‑leaning President. Risks the future of a local Telefónica InfraCo; could face complications in a challenging political climate.
- Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica Argentina and Sion buddy up on provincial fibre
Argentinian OB to lean on third‑party infrastructure to extend connectivity to harder‑to-reach communities. Movistar looking at expanding reach of its city‑centric FTTP footprint.
- M&A
Vodafone’s nudge technique gets STC ‘back to table’
Regional media reports indicate that Saudi Telecom Company is seeking to revive a buyout of the Group’s Egyptian business, after failure of 2020 deal. Move follows Vodafone’s exploration of an internal switch of Egyptian OpCo.
- M&A
T‑Systems offloads South African remnant
Deutsche Telekom’s enterprise unit wraps up SA exit after selling training and development provider. Continuation of T-Systems slimming drive
- Strategy & Change
Ethiopian mobile: Tigray overshadows Safaricom-Voda market entry
Escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis spreads in northern region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed criticised for Tigray response, but undeterred on reform agenda and courting private investment. What is Safaricom-led OpCo getting into? Unrest brews challenging conditions, as US sanctions threaten OpCo funding. Vodafone keeps a low profile in Ethiopian ...
- M&A
Deutsche Telekom quietly exits Dynamic Signal
DTCP divests 2018 investment, which has merged with SocialChorus.
- Network & Infrastructure
Nokia resumes O-RAN Alliance activity
Group revises procedures to alleviate concerns over US export rules. Deutsche Telekom is “fully committed” to the Alliance. USA considering clarifications for standards organisations.
- Partnerships & Alliances
DT set for trio of Vision Fund tie ups: Claure
SoftBank to give DT a big reservoir of digital partners to draw from as it seeks new revenue streams, starting with European e‑mobility, learning, and fintech players. Claure talks up ‘convergence’ and long-term nature of relationship between SoftBank and DT. SoftBank exec looking to make big impression after securing ...
- Partnerships & Alliances
SoftBank: New DT tie-up not a threat to longstanding Vodafone partnership
Japanese telco claims structural separation between strategic agreements with two European majors. Vodafone quiet on the tie-up’s future.
- Partnerships & Alliances
DT set for trio of Vision Fund tie ups: Claure
SoftBank to give DT a big reservoir of digital partners to draw from as it seeks new revenue streams, starting with European e‑mobility, learning, and fintech players. Claure talks up ‘convergence’ and long-term nature of relationship between SoftBank and DT. SoftBank exec looking to make big impression after securing ...
- M&A
Deutsche Telekom sees Dutch exit door loosen — report
India’s Reliance Industries reportedly set to make €4.8bn non-binding offer for T-Mobile Netherlands. Several top foreign banks apparently formed syndicate to fund the takeover. Akash Ambani said to be personally managing the T-Mobile transaction.
