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
Vodafone names partners for speech‑based AI bot
TPG Telecom ties with Genesys and Google Cloud to launch an “upgrade” to Vodafone’s TOBi chatbot. Natural language processing integration set to improve voice channel triaging, with sales role touted in a future deployment.
Financial & Performance
Vi reports further losses as government takeover looms
Net loss grows 60% year-on-year, with revenue down 10.7%. Earnings report comes amid expectation that Indian government will take majority stake in struggling JV. Absence of annual profit since launch of Reliance Jio in 2016.
Operations
T-Systems resets India expansion target to support savings push
DT’s enterprise division re-commits to plan to hire thousands of new tech staff. Local digital boss Anant Padmanabhan promoted to lead services unit T‑Systems ICT India. India back in vogue for DT’s management as it seeks fresh talent for digital transformation.
Operations
Vi selling majority stake to Indian government in bid to stay afloat
The state is set to receive a 35.8% stake in Vodafone Idea. Share prices drop around 20% in the wake of the news. Stake will be exchanged for easing of the struggling JV’s considerable debt. Government “do not want to run company”, insists Vi CEO
Operations
BT’s Mehta keen on ‘massive’ Indian expansion
Chief Digital and Innovation Officer wants to make “full use” of digital skills in the country. Outlines “very, very different” challenges compared to UK marketplace. Wider digital transformation “almost like creating a new BT”.
Partnerships & Alliances
Celcom teams up with Telefónica Tech to bolster Malaysian cybersecurity
Pair launch two cyber threat solutions to mark new partnership. Move represents Telefónica Tech’s third Malaysian tie-up in recent years.
People
Berroeta shuffles leadership team again
Technology roles brought together under ex‑MTN CTIO Chiarelli. Cooney to lead unified Consumer domain. Leadership now bedded in after 18 months of integration.
Network & Infrastructure
TPG cites 5G momentum in Aussie auction snub
Australian operator TPG Telecom did not pick up any blocks in the 900MHz auction, with CEO Berroeta claiming its portfolio is strong enough already. TPG’s 5G network live on 700MHz, with 26GHz trials underway. Rivals Optus and Telstra share the spoils in TPG’s absence.
Financial & Performance
Vodafone close to settling €2.4bn tax dispute with India
Group offers New Delhi a deal after retrospective tax legislation scrapped. Dispute harks back to Vodafone acquisition of Hutchison Essar in 2007. Indian stand-off has long cast a shadow over Group finances, despite recent legal victories.
Venturing & Investments
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: TPG’s billion‑dollar strategy
TPG unveils billion‑dollar strategy; Telecom Egypt to retain Vodafone stake.
Partnerships & Alliances
Vi goes 5G network slicing with Nokia
Trial in Gandhinagar purportedly enables high‑resolution VR content. TRAI sets deadlines for consultation process with “stakeholders” on auction rules for delayed 5G spectrum auction.