Asia-Pacific Telecoms News
All the latest telecoms insight, news and analysis from across the Asia-Pacific region, including BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Financial & Performance
Vi nears funding target as state equity conversion looms
Cash‑strapped Indian joint venture closes in on INR 200bn fundraising target.
Network & Infrastructure
5G auction finally going ahead in India
Set to commence after two-year delay.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone NZ targets independence with SAP integration
New Zealand operator and Vodafone Partner Markets ally flags SAP cloud solutions migration.
Partnerships & Alliances
1NCE links up with SoftBank on Asia-Pacific push
DT spinout’s exclusive regional distribution deal provides another layer to German group’s flourishing romance with SoftBank.
Interview
Rakuten Symphony turns up the volume in Europe
After setting up shop in France, Germany, and the UK, Symphony puts out welcome mat for software companies to join its Symworld marketplace.
Interview
Rakuten Symphony woos European startups
TelcoTitans interviews Geoff Hollingworth, Chief Marketing Officer at Rakuten Mobile’s next-gen cloud connectivity platform spinout. After setting up shop in France, Germany, and UK, Symphony puts out welcome mat for software companies to join its Symworld marketplace.
Strategy & Change
Teoh tipped to flee TPG once escrow period ends
Operator’s main shareholders Vodafone and Hutchison free to sell shares after 12 July. So too is founder David Teoh, seen likely to up sticks first. Morgan Stanley analyst doesn’t foresee same share price carnage as when Teoh sold 3% stake last December.
Partnerships & Alliances
Vi mulls exit from Wi‑Fi joint venture
Indian operator goes cool on Firefly joint venture with Airtel, set up in 2015.
M&A
TPG sells towers to Canadian pension fund
CEO Berroeta claims balance sheet boost is “strong outcome” for shareholders. Enterprise value set at AU$ 950m. After transaction costs and tax, TPG will bank a more modest sum of between AU$ 350m and AU$ 400m. Transaction includes 20-year master services agreement.
Operations
Indus seeks to move on from “nail‑biting” Vi crisis
Indian tower giant sees “discomfiting” client payment worries subsiding
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Bharti Airtel Chairman wants “affordable” spectrum
TRAI proposes near‑40% reduction across spectrum bands in upcoming auction; Vodafone Egypt acquires 10% stakes in e‑payment platforms Bee and Masary.