North America Telecoms News
All the latest telecoms insight, news and analysis from across North America, including BT, Deutsche Telekom/T-Mobile US, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Innovation (R&D)
T-Labs and TMUS scoping out immersive shopper tech
Group R&D arm and US NatCo open applications for T‑Challenge 2022. Focus on retail vertical, with telco keen to enhance post‑COVID experiences for those shopping at home and in‑store. Scheme offering share of €600,000 prize pot.
Venturing & Investments
BT forms team to target strategic startup investments
Group getting back in funding game, focusing on startups in North America and Europe. New Digital division’s focus on platforms and partnerships at centre of push.
M&A
Deutsche Telekom quietly exits Dynamic Signal
DTCP divests 2018 investment, which has merged with SocialChorus.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone CEO disses DSS
Nick Read flags “performance degradation” when using DSS in blended environment of 4G and 5G. Not clear if all vendors equally guilty in Read’s eyes. Ericsson’s proprietary Ericsson Spectrum Sharing solution used in key Vodafone markets, including Germany and UK. Vendor emphatically denies there is any meaningful performance dip ...
People
Latest DT people moves: CEOs and CTIOs named in central and eastern Europe
A host of changes at DT’s European NatCos include two new CEOs and two new CTIOs, and a reworked Commercial division. Finance lead swaps at T‑Systems Alpine. Group venturing unit DTCP targets portfolio partnerships growth.
Network & Infrastructure
Nokia resumes O-RAN Alliance activity
Group revises procedures to alleviate concerns over US export rules. Deutsche Telekom is “fully committed” to the Alliance. USA considering clarifications for standards organisations.
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in T-Mobile US: identity verification solution on trial for call scamming
TMUS’s B2B push moves forward with Lumen and Volkswagen tie‑ups; NatCo stamps down on call scamming; AstrumU ramps up military vet recruitment drive.
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 ...
Network & Infrastructure
Sievert blames Dish for CDMA “crisis”
TMUS CEO says Dish should do more to migrate Boost customers from “antiquated” 3G network. Holds firm on shuttering CDMA network on 1 January 2022, despite “grave concerns” expressed by DoJ. Says Dish’s network-sharing deal with AT&T will have no impact on five‑year plan.
M&A
DT trades Dutch NatCo for a scoop of US, plus sprinkles
Former DT CEO Obermann steps in with buyout of T‑Mobile Netherlands through Apax–Warburg Pincus consortium. Deal is culmination of turnaround effort launched in 2016 when last attempt to sell NatCo fell through. Exit opens the lid on a box of intriguing strategic options for DT. DT directs some of ...
Network & Infrastructure
TMUS gets into fibre game with New York trial
Operator enters leasing arrangement in most populous US city. TMUS testing waters with T‑Mobile Fiber, as telco slowly and steadily ramps up in‑home internet service drive.