Global Telco News
All the latest regional insight, news and analysis from inside and across BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone globally.
Open Telekom Cloud goes full Circle
Vodacom to roll out smart‑site kit beyond SA
Prosegur extends Telefónica tie-up into Colombia
Vodafone taking NOC automation to the next level
Vodacom to unify network and IT functions
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone gets down to business with MEC
Scott Petty: UK needs four to eight multi-access edge compute sites. Vodafone is first in Europe with AWS Wavelength, but early days for services. Next distributed MEC target market will be Germany later in 2021. Vodafone Business blends edge into service portfolio.
- Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Openreach: Ciena flags optical kit win
Ciena gains an optical kit win; progress update on USO; copper stop‑sell orders issued in further 77 exchanges.
- Network & Infrastructure
BT Ireland expands wholesale FTTH services
National Broadband Plan to add 544,000 premises to BT Ireland offers.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Open Telekom Cloud goes full Circle
T‑Systems’ infrastructure‑as‑a‑service offering adds Circle partner benefits packages, with spend‑based reward tiers. Not a one‑way street, says Partner Manager Ulf Mayer, who is looking for commitment from customers.
- Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone taking NOC automation to the next level
Group says Celfocus‑supported CIAS project has now gone live in five Group markets. Former Vodafone Portugal investment is also supporting new project to automate network configuration operations.
- Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica España sticks by Ericsson, Nokia for ‘real’ 5G
Scandinavian duo reportedly selected for 5G SA rollout. No real surprise as Ericsson, Nokia already ensconced in 5G NSA RAN. Spanish government offers sweeteners for rescheduled 700MHz spectrum sale.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Prosegur extends Telefónica tie-up into Colombia
OB distributing security services in three cities, with aim to strengthen customer retention. Telefónica supporting Prosegur’s LatAm expansion plans, with large growth opportunity anticipated. Collaboration now extends beyond Movistar Prosegur Alarmas JV in Spain.
- M&A
Telxius completes European tower sale
Telefónica handed regulatory go‑ahead for tower divestment, with German and Spanish sites handed to American Tower. Latin American portion to follow next year, pending approval. Submarine cables also up for grabs, with first bids reportedly received.
- Network & Infrastructure
Internet Para Todos hits two million milestone
More than two million people now connected to ‘high-speed’ internet connectivity in Peru. 2020 target of reaching 13,000 rural communities pushed back a year. Network laying groundwork for the provision of new e-learning tech for Peruvian schoolchildren.
- Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom to roll out smart‑site kit beyond SA
Mozambique operation set for first dibs, with other international markets to benefit during the next phase of the rollout in FY21–22. Half of Group’s SA base stations now fitted with IoT.nxt tech, with efficiency and energy saving benefits trumpeted.
- Strategy & Change
Vodacom to unify network and IT functions
Push for efficiencies encompassing rework of network and IT platforms, alongside major skills and capability upgrade. Following 2020 reorg, CEO Joosub concentrating heavily on extracting value and savings out of Group assets and operations. Programme likely to see cloud-based overhaul of Vodacom IT stacks and network functions.
- Strategy & Change
Ethiopia: Kenyan president gets behind Safaricom entry
President Kenyatta urges Ethiopia to open up m‑money market. Safaricom reveals planned ownership structure of future Opco, with Vodafone set to play a very limited role.
- Venturing & Investments
Iterable goes double unicorn with DTCP backing
Customer communications platform player takes $200m in funding, with Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners on the ticket. Medium‑term IPO a potential exit route for Group investment arm. Martech continuing to pique interest for DTCP.
- Enterprise (B2B)
T-Mobile US and DT team up for transatlantic B2B services
NatCo and Group collaborate on developing services for global businesses. “Transatlantic synergies” boost TMUS enterprise plan. Sprint International assets left hanging amid B2B manoeuvres.
- Innovation (R&D)
T-Mobile US on the prowl for e-health startups
US telco opens applications for Wellness Tech incubator. Net cast wide, with startups operating in both B2B and B2C spaces encouraged to apply. TMUS’ 5G innovation network expanding.
- Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in BT Global: Egypt license renewed
Egyptian licences get a refresh; Global turns to IR to help tie together virtual rooms.
- Venturing & Investments
DTCP’s monetary fuel fires up One Store expansion plan
Fund joins venture funding round in business owned by close partner SK Telecom. One Store aiming to reach lofty heights of market competitors Apple and Google.
- Operations
Vodafone banks on the Nile for flow of efficiencies
Group Annual Report sheds light on shared services transformation under the _VOIS division. Egypt emerges as the Group’s largest territory by headcount. CFO Della Valle points to _VOIS “role efficiencies” as it de‑siloes, standardises, and harmonises operations.
