Headlines – Page 166
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone’s broadcasting gets smarter
Vodafone Germany launches upgraded transcoding platform at two of its five broadcasting centres, notching improved energy efficiency and reduced reliance on hardware.
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Strategy & Change
DT’s real estate “right-sizing” takes effect
Deutsche Telekom’s property rationalisation, optimisation, and “right-sizing” project, mooted by execs at the Capital Markets Day, has started in earnest. Offices in Ansbach, Flensburg, and Regensburg among the first to change.
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Suppliers & SCM
BT protégé DoubleMe doubles down on 5G and MEC
3D image processing specialist highlights collaboration with BT, DT, Telefónica, Vodafone, and others to realise real-time ‘metaverse’ ambitions using 5G.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Turkey makes next-gen network improvements
5G prep accelerated as Turkish OpCo “future-proofs” backbone network. 400Gbps-capable SuperCore solution deployed, but vendor partner(s) undisclosed. Telco continues march towards 2025 ambition.
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People
Crnogorski Telekom CEO switches to DT’s Romanian NatCo
Dina Tsybulskaya to head up Romanian mobile operations from September. Vladan Pekovic to stay on until Orange transaction has been completed.
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People
BT confirms Crozier as ‘turnaround’ chair
Former ITV CEO unanimously picked to replace Jan du Plessis, with BT highlighting his experience in changing the fortunes of struggling public and private businesses. Digital evolution and a return to growth highlighted as key priorities for Crozier-era BT.
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M&A
Telefónica said to be negotiating PangeaCo stake sale
Peruvian fibre business reportedly on the market, as Group’s Hispam monetising plans evolve further. PangeaCo to take form of Brazilian/Chilean equivalent, assuming part-sale goes through.
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Suppliers & SCM
Job cuts coming as ISS works to solve DT deal losses
Manager of Group’s German facilities working through “long list” of restructuring measures, with aim to reach breakeven on flagship deal. Stage one complete as key IT milestone hit. Staff and subcontractor cutbacks coming as ISS seeks to squeeze out more costs.
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Venturing & Investments
DT scopes out precise positioning partnerships
Nascent German business Angsa Robotics beats competition from ten other startups to win Deutsche Telekom backing. Startup gearing up for launch next year.
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Network & Infrastructure
Hrvatski Telekom outspends rivals on 5G spectrum
Croatian NatCo can now start 5G network rollout in earnest.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telecom Egypt to hold Vodafone to “strict” dividend deal
Executives of Vodafone’s Egyptian partner suggest new deal gives watertight dividend flow from their joint mobile business. Agreement creates path for Vodafone to do an internal switch of its Egyptian OpCo, following failed Saudi Telecom deal.
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Suppliers & SCM
Greek TowerCo ramps up tenancies with Sigfox deal
Sigfox taps Vantage’s Greek business for infra support in “nationwide” IoT deployment programme. Ten-year strategic agreement to increase mast tenancies by more than 250 over next three financial years.
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Strategy & Change
BT to export ‘made in Scotland’ 5G innovations
BT’s Simon Haston highlights importance of ensuring 5G use-cases can be “translated globally”. Focus placed firmly on commercial viability.
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M&A
Höttges “ready” for Drahi tête-à-tête after BT raid
DT confirms Altice’s secretive acquisition of a large BT holding went unflagged. Group “open” to discussions and sees prospect of “exciting” developments towards end of 2021. DT accentuates lack of pressure to sell up, should Altice target its holding.
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M&A
DT interest Community Fibre subsumes rival
FTTP altnet backed by BT shareholder absorbs assets of smaller fibre builder. Business now looking “beyond London” as it continues to accelerate growth. Community Fibre’s FTTP footprint stands at 300,000 premises. Acquisition not impacting commercial operations or leadership structure of “independent” merger partner.
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Strategy & Change
From Bonn to Bellevue: DT CEO Höttges visits TMUS HQ
In a break from virtual meetings, TMUS CEO Mike Sievert hosts Höttges. Much to discuss between parent and NatCo, but talks were said to focus on innovation and serving consumers and businesses. No signs yet of TMUS and DT collaboration on trans-Atlantic B2B. Are Sprint International assets part of ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Portuguese operators remain embroiled in epic 5G auction
Portugal’s 5G auction has completed 146 days of bidding, and counting. Government said to have no plans to intervene, but drag adds to 5G deadline pressure.
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Financial & Performance
Vi AGR appeal torpedoed; Birla seeks to jump ship
Vi challenges Supreme Court decision to stick with DoT’s AGR liability calculation. Vodafone’s junior partner Kumar Mangalam Birla resigns as Vi Chairman shortly after India’s top court sides with DoT. Vi CEO Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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Strategy & Change
Safaricom looks closer to Ethiopian fintech expansion
Newly established Ethiopian OpCo reportedly given green-light to offer fintech service by market regulator. But incumbent rival already gifted year-long head start in m-money services realm.
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Products & Services
IoT.nxt takes sports performance platform on tour
Rugby team the first to leverage IoT.nxt’s PLAYER.Connect real-time sports performance platform. Vodacom-owned IoT specialist targets fresh industry segment, drawing on breadth of Vodafone partnerships.