Headlines – Page 134
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Partnerships & AlliancesM-PESA gets interoperability boost in Kenya
Airtel, Telkom, and Safaricom customers granted access to M-PESA till payments. Central Bank of Kenya says first phase will “deepen digitalisation” for businesses. Airtel Money and T-kash equivalents still some way off.
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People“Stability and continuity” key as Al-Saleh extends T-Systems stay
Chief Executive agrees to continue leading the business until at least 2027. Will guide T-Systems through “the next phase” following four-year transitional period.
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Network & InfrastructureDT committed to high-flying partner despite write-down
HAPS specialist Stratospheric Platforms remains loss making, but DT stays on board. Pilot in Saudi Arabia beamed a 5G signal from a mast 45,000ft in the air.
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Network & InfrastructureFibre in Water trials set to boost remote 5G rollout
Tests of fibre broadband technology within water mains infrastructure will examine potential for using water pipes to bring Gigabit connectivity to remote areas. 5G masts to be linked to 17km stretch of network as part of £3.2m project. New industrial use-cases for connectivity intended to minimise water leaks and ...
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PeopleTelefónica-backed content studio renews board
Buendía Estudios elects Gayo Chair, with equal representation from Telefónica and co-parent Atresmedia. Telefónica influence through Movistar’s Oslé, Movistar Plus+’s Burzako, and HQ’s Navarro.
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Public AffairsIndustrial action inbound as union rejects biggest BT pay rise in 20 years
Communication Workers Union rebuffs improved offer of a £1,500 flat rise for 58,000 employees. Union states it will take BT’s management “to a place they’ve never been before” as it prepares for a statutory industrial action ballot. BT believes its rates “compare well” against competitors.
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OperationsCost-cutter and digitiser _VOIS: Vodafone’s agent of change lands in three new Local Markets
Vodafone Intelligent Solutions said to have created new bases in Albania, Turkey, and the UK. Group’s long-term centralisation efforts netted over €1.2bn in savings in the three years to March 2021.
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OperationsTPG cleared to separate wholesale and retail operations
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission greenlights ‘joint functional separation’ of the subsidiaries from 7 October 2022. Regulator believes the move will enhance competition in both segments. TPG is looking to create a new fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) wholesale business.
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PeopleGlasfaserPlus taps DT links to boost leadership team
Fibre building joint venture brings in additional DT experience with two new hires. Voss named CTO; BuyIn’s Kleebaum brought onboard for Wholesale.
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PeopleDT poaches Vodafone B2B marketing lead
Elvira González Sevilla takes B2B reins at Deutsche Telekom Europe, replacing Ralf Nejedl. Former Vodafone Business Head of Marketing “completes” Dominique Leroy’s management team in key growth area.
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty CTO sees VM O2 fibre cost advantage
Rodriguez bullish on a cost-effective transition to fibre in the UK market, confounding the consensus view. However, other Liberty ventures may see a longer and more costly migration. Liberty embracing an all-IP environment as a chance to make the most of network capacity while delivering bundled offerings. Perils of ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesUiPath highlights RPA tie-ups with T-Mobile, Vodacom
T-Mobile has been working with RPA specialists to handle the Sprint integration. Vodacom sees RPA as key to operational efficiency and customer experience.
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Public AffairsBT leads social tariff calls, hikes mobile prices
Cost of living crisis puts BT’s (and rivals’) mobile price increases in perspective, despite Group calls for more social tariffs. BT’s Home Essentials one of several on offer, but more to be done to support vulnerable customers. Time for rivals to pull their weight, says BT’s policy director. Mobile ...
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Venturing & InvestmentsUK’s rebranded BII embarks on new impact investing
British International Investment (BII) embraces broader digital strategy.
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Venturing & InvestmentsVodafone increases Vi stake
Group outlines commitment to struggling JV, upping its holding by 3.2%. Investment arrives via Vodafone subsidiary Prime Metals in a vital period for Vi. Further cash injections mooted amid government takeover.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica’s Cerdán eyes M&A in Brazil, Germany
Telefónica Tech will also look at moving into markets outside Group footprint. Tech division now has about 4,000 employees. CEO downplays 2019 aims, but highlights unit’s double-digit revenue growth in 2021. No open processes on potential sale of minority stake in division to a financial investor.
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PeopleVodafone Germany names new Networks lead
Richter moves from Group to lead German Networks function, with Weissbrich heading to Commercial Operations. Interim CNO Suceveanu exits for Liberty Global. Permanent spots for Baumann and Weissbrich still pending following shakeup.
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PeopleOfcom chair-elect “lacks knowledge” on digital issues
Lord Grade, set to take the chair at the UK’s media and telecoms regulator, lacks fundamental experience on key issues of social media and online platforms despite strength in broadcasting. Competitive and transparent telecoms industry among Grade’s priorities. Cronyism concerns after Grade’s appointment followed by Ian Cheshire’s move to ...
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M&AT-Mobile Netherlands CEO welcomes private equity owners with open arms
Abildgaard compares new strategy with that of old parent company Deutsch Telekom. Ambitious aim to turn Dutch operator into the country’s largest fibre service provider within five years. CEO makes undisclosed investment in new-look company.
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Operations“A country with enormous potential”: Safaricom poised for Ethiopia launch
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia aims to go live on 9 April 2022. Hopes to add M-PESA within the next 12 months. Over 300 staff recruited to work in the country.