Headlines – Page 161
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Turkey CEO signals support for three-way FibreCo
Turkey’s President is said to be in favour of a joint infrastructure company. Recently appointed Vodafone Turkey CEO appears keen too, as part of new 2025 growth strategy.
-
Venturing & Investments
Vodafone ups investment in collaboration player VOSS
Group contributes to new funding round by long-time unified comms services partner. Rare sign of activity at Group’s startup investment unit Vodafone Ventures. VOSS bidding for growth following pandemic shake-up to business collaboration.
-
M&A
DAZN targets Premier League with BT Sport bid — reports
Reports indicate BT is in “advanced” stage talks with DAZN to offload BT Sport, with a deal mooted “within weeks”. Broadcasting rights the big-ticket item for US streaming specialist, while BT looks to focus efforts on network expansion.
-
People
Vodafone picks Microsoft exec to upgrade purchasing ops
Experienced US buying executive bulks up Vodafone Procurement Company’s supply chain leadership team.
-
People
DT refreshes management at budget brand congstar
Telekom Deutschland announces new management board for congstar brand, with Kiehl and Opdemom swapped for new MD duo. Ghasemi and Orbach step up, bringing with them a shift in structure.
-
Public Affairs
Vodafone Germany takes action over sales partner fraud
Media report suggests German OpCo could incur fines over data privacy violations. Whistleblower said to have demanded €900,000 in exchange for non-publication of data. German case follows privacy incidents involving third-party agencies in Italy and Spain.
-
M&A
Telefónica nearing Uruguay exit?
New suitor emerges as Telefónica considers bid for Uruguayan unit. Local politician leading acquisition push on behalf of consortium partners. Reported bid falls some way short of independent valuation.
-
Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
-
Products & Services
Virgin Media O2 plans IPTV service launch
First streaming service offer targeted at young consumers. VM O2 sizes up aggregator opportunity.
-
Network & Infrastructure
DT looks to the future with German ‘fiberisation’
Group’s Dido Blankenburg sees connecting homes as the next big debate. BNetzA highlights need for lighter fibre regulation and cooperation among market players.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Systems Solutions: oneclick expands partnership
oneclick expands partnership; Telekom Security offers training tools.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: “long-term” Sky partnership
Management refresh at congstar; Sky and TDE build up partnership; operator shops at Aldi for home tie-up.
-
Operations
Vodafone Spain staff set for more redundancies
Challenged Spanish OpCo initiates plan to remove another 500-plus people from its headcount. Another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation-led efficiency plans.
-
Innovation (R&D)
BT ties with Sweden’s Skydome on emergency response
VR leveraged by embryonic Skydome for incident monitoring purposes. Startup’s R&D partners include Intel. Potential for deployment at BT’s network of smart ports.
-
Venturing & Investments
Wayra UK sets up fundraising support initiative
UK incubator leans on expertise of outside consultancy to launch Wayraise scheme. Mountside helping ensure Wayra businesses are “investor-ready” and works to facilitate greater flow of VC into startup ecosystem.
-
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
BT Sourced adds transformation lead
Former Allianz buying head appointed Director, Procurement Transformation.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: Tech forms Zoom partnership
IDT highlights expansion of ties with Telefónica wholesale and multinational customers subsidiary; Cornerstone JV enhances legal spend management.
-
M&A
Telefónica joins Liberty in move towards UK tower sale
Goldman Sachs reportedly handed reins to examine prospective Cornerstone share sale.
-
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.