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.
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.
Strategy & Change
BT reviewing Indian tech ops, may insource from partners
Taking a relook at level of work outsourced to third-party providers such as Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahindra. Insourcing would “strengthen” role of BT’s Bangalore-based services operation, increase self-reliance.
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Indus tidies IT up
Indus tidies IT up; India becomes potential early target for Vodafone’s sat venture with AST.
Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica Tech teams with STC for security services
Strategic collaboration agreement with Saudi operator. Move follows security tie‑ups in Southeast Asia.
Venturing & Investments
Elsewhere in Telefónica Innovation & Venturing: Group profits from Altiostar
One Wayra investment exceeds crowdfunding target while another enters Asia‑Pacific; Hispam startup accelerator launches innovation call in Peru; Group makes tidy profit from Altiostar divestment.
M&A
Aussie antitrust tsar seeks change after TPG–Vodafone merger
Rod Sims, Chair of Australia’s competition commission, expresses “serious concerns” about market health after TPG–Vodafone merger. Sims wants bigger powers to block further anti‑competitive M&A.
People
Vodafone people moves: Technology splits and board changes
Group board changes include Ahuja’s departure. Vodafone networks exec and TIP Chair Tenorio picks up Lime Micro chairmanship. Vodafone Spain continues leadership overhaul in Consumer, Enterprise, and Technology divisions.
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone NZ goes lean as it splits from Group “mothership”
Former Vodafone OpCo’s new managers say unravelling of legacy IT snarl‑up remains a work in progress and “fairly challenging”. “High‑performance” business reset expected to deliver big earnings lift in current FY and beyond.
M&A
TPG puts feelers out for TowerCo deal
Australian JV conducting “preliminary market assessment” ahead of possible spin‑off. Scope of monetisation would be limited by operator’s low level of site ownership. Competitors have already made moves.