Headlines – Page 197
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Network & InfrastructureJansen just wants to get on with it
Jansen’s BT more focused on regulatory leeway on build than government handouts. CEO wants closer scrutiny of data and digital-based services.
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M&ACredit Suisse to lead Hrvatski Telekom’s Optima exit
Investment bank brought in to lead stake sale for Hrvatski Telekom and ZABA, with deadline of mid-2021 looming. Contractual obligations satisfied, but divestment not yet complete.
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Network & InfrastructureDeutsche Telekom allies with European peers on open RAN
Telco grouping aims to generate greater economies of scale for smaller suppliers through common procurement parameters. Lobbying European governments for open RAN funding high on the agenda.
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OperationsTPG: no plans to drop Vodafone brand
Telco forced to clarify position on sub-brand strategy amid media speculation. Appointment of former Vodafone NZ exec to see refresh of brand strategy, with focus on driving better customer experience.
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Products & ServicesBritish Airways completes on-boarding of DT’s EAN
Milestone reached for otherwise noticeably quiet partnership between Deutsche Telekom and Inmarsat.
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Suppliers & SCMOpenreach deploys EXFO technology for fibre rollout
Rollout speed gains stressed as key motivator for purchase.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: 2x usage for 2020
Openreach flexes on network strength after UK broadband usage hits new highs.
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Partnerships & AlliancesOpenreach hits FTTP milestone in Cumbria
Connecting Cumbria programme completes Phase Two, nearing regional ‘superfast’ targets. Phase Three on the table to finish the job. Gigabit-capable coverage lags behind for rural premises.
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Network & InfrastructureT-Mobile US goes Nordic (again) for 5G expansion
Longstanding partners Ericsson and Nokia sign “multi-billion-dollar agreements”. Operator makes concerted 5G push at 2.5GHz to complement 600MHz rollout. Nordic duo also tasked with providing “advanced technical capabilities”, including voice over NR, NR carrier aggregation, network slicing, and multi-user massive MIMO.
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Network & InfrastructureDeutsche Telekom’s four-play makes an impression
Operator’s long-planned Access 4.0 platform goes into operation in Germany, on schedule — but with a small footprint and plenty of work to do to realise Group’s full ambitions for softwarised system.
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Network & InfrastructureBT clocks onto quantum timing tech
EU-funded consortium hoping to accelerate commercialisation of quantum-enabled clocks. Further expansion to the Group’s ecosystem of quantum partners.
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Strategy & ChangeBT turns to disruptive AI veteran in pursuit of Ambition 2030
Airtel CIO Harmeen Mehta bringing even greater AI advocacy and a ‘big tech’ frame of mind to BT’s new Digital division. Philip Jansen looking at bigger picture beyond fibre rollout as he sees Group’s future in delivering a UK platform for software-defined services.
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M&ATelefónica sells infra biz to American Tower
Telxius finds a home at US infrastructure giant. Transaction expected to wipe €4.6bn off Telefónica net debt.
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Network & InfrastructureT-Mobile US looks to top up kitty amid C-Band feeding frenzy
Operator issues three tranches of Senior Notes. Says C-Band auction “may” have something to do with it, as bidding reaches an eye-watering $80.7bn.
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Innovation (R&D)BT explores edge to “level up” latency for UK gamers
As BT’s edge strategy evolves, gaming emerges as potential use-case. BT’s Neil McRae shares latest thinking about edge business cases. Consumer edge applications more advanced than enterprise services.
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M&ABT Cornwall quietly put into liquidation
Business blighted by falling-out between BT and its local public sector partners to be wound up. Another marker of troubled public-private partnership approach to council contracts confined to past.
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach requests COVID vaccine relief
Direct talks between Openreach and government officials confirmed. COVID-19 surge halts operations. Openreach seeks to highlight public importance of connectivity.
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M&ADT said to be upping ante on Dutch sale talks
Possible sale of T-Mobile Netherlands could square with long-rumoured plan to buy KPN in order to bolster the Group’s convergence strategy.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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Products & ServicesDT’s tooz JV surfaces with smart-glasses dev kit
Tools available in China first, Europe and other markets later this year. Product development progress for smart-glasses startup after three years.