Spain
All the latest key telecoms and digital infra insight, news and analysis from Spain.
Strategy & Change
Spain moves to Plan III after space comms setback
Failure of Madrid-based satco Hisdesat’s latest spacecraft underlines how in the fast-evolving space infra sector, a multi-year, nationally significant strategic plan can be knocked off course by a particle just millimetres in diameter.
Suppliers & SCM
Telcos face multibillion-euro rip-and-replace project as Brussels moves to ban high-risk vendors
In depth: European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen considers the time is now to take network supply chain security “seriously”, laying out proposals to ban vendors deemed ‘high-risk’. Network operators stand to foot a multibillion-euro rip-and-replace bill, with some only recently signing kit deals with Chinese suppliers…
M&A
Telefónica said to hold off on Venezuela exit amidst uncertainty
Spanish group reportedly hits pause button on Venezuela divestment as it awaits economic and political clarity, in the hope of attracting more buyers and increasing the valuation of its local assets…
Products & Services
Telefónica melds comms services in latest B2B resilience offering
Operator combines fixed and mobile connectivity with cybersecurity, energy, and satellite services to create new solution focused on improving network resilience for enterprises. The go-live sees the Group make progress towards its ambition to modernise its B2B services portfolio under recently revamped strategy…
Network & Infra
Spain doubles up on AI Gigafactory proposal
Spanish government to build chunk of proposed AI Gigafactory compute at a second Madrid data centre, with the nation’s capital said to be moving to back the project alongside operators Telefónica and MásOrange…
Peoplewatch
Telefónica Peoplewatch: sustainability, security switches
The latest strategic and senior changes at Telefónica, as the Group sees departures of decarbonisation boss and lead on security products at Telefónica Tech.
Public Affairs
EU resetting copper switch-off to ‘mandatory but conditional’ 2035, pressuring slow-mo incumbents
In depth: leaked draft of EC Digital Networks Act reveals copper shutdown ambitions delayed by five years. Incumbent, copper-overweight operators like Deutsche Telekom look set to face heat if new enforcement capabilities introduced. Other highlights include spectrum trading, easing up on regional consolidation, and streamlining oversight…
M&A
MásOrange to drop Lyca Mobile from M&A brand hodgepodge
Yet another MásOrange brand bites the dust as the operator continues to simplify its commercial portfolio.
M&A
Indra salvages former BT drone investment Altitude Angel
Spanish defence group buys drone traffic management platform from Altitude Angel, following the provider’s fall into administration, with aim to strengthen UK presence and aerospace portfolio…
Network & Infra
Hisdesat assesses damage after SpainSat space debris collision
Hisdesat shareholder Indra reports “space particle” has collided with SpainSat NG II, one of two satellites set to provide mission-critical comms for the Spanish government and others…
M&A
Spain’s Indra completes Hispasat buy, steps up billion-euro space mission
Spanish defence and IT group completes purchase of satellite operator Hispasat, adding another building block to plans for a €1bn+, ‘end-to-end’ European space player. Indra is targeting substantial revenue and efficiency gains, and a bigger role in European space projects, by melding the satco with existing satellite interests Deimos and Startical.