All Infrawatch articles – Page 48
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Financial & Performance
DT’s FY21 report: events intervene but an empowered Höttges talks tough on towers
Another strong year of growth for Group, led by USA. Unfortunate clash with Ukraine invasion dulls shareholder reaction. Executives stress openness and flexibility when it comes to a big TowerCo deal, but want full recognition of DT assets’ worth. Muddiness on future of BT holding. Inflationary pressures said to ...
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M&A
INWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
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M&A
Vodafone explores sale of Indus Towers stake
Group plans to use some of the proceeds to take part in Vi fundraising exercise. Bharti Airtel could buy another 4.7% stake in Indus Towers. Indus security arrangements have been modified, but TowerCo still protected from Vi weakness. In Europe, Vodafone could lose Telecom Italia as partner in ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT extends 1&1 wholesale deal to fibre
German operator adds ten years to fixed network partnership. Local regulator’s promise for “light” regulatory approach to fibre pays off.
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Network & Infrastructure
Safaricom taps Huawei and Nokia in Ethiopia
OpCo looks set to stick with existing partners for new network. Launch appears on track as STE builds up a head of steam.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT’s new fibre venture gets off the starting line
GlasfaserPlus highlights concrete projects in Alsfeld and Mommenheim. Fibre JV flags advantages over local providers, such as absence of ‘pre-marketing quotas’. Glasfaser Nordwest, DT’s other high-profile fibre JV, continues to build despite regulatory roadblocks.
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Venturing & Investments
Telefónica partner Asterion fills infra fund number two
Investment manager with close links to Telefónica completes set up of a new €1.8bn pot. Five European markets in sights for energy and telecoms opportunities. Madrid-based business has various ex-Telefónica staffers on team and a history of deal-making with Group.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT lays siege to Vodafone Germany’s cable MOB redoubt
Vodafone just can’t catch a break, with even German stronghold tormented by reinvigorated DT in aggressive housing association fibre overbuild play. Double whammy as new laws tear open cushy supply agreements. Vodafone banks on client ennui to minimise imminent damage. DT dismissive, even derisive, of Vodafone’s defence.
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Suppliers & SCM
Assurant tools up for T-Mobile in store repair deal
Assurant recruits 2,000 technicians and managers to lead same-day repairs service at T-Mobile stores. Contract comes with substantial investment requirements, but upsides anticipated in the coming year. Sprint migration also completed.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
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Network & Infrastructure
Macquarie linked with £10bn UK infrastructure boost
Australian group points to planned investments in UK broadband. Macquarie has snapped up local providers including KCOM, Voneus, and Wavenet.
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People
Ex-Telekom Deutschland CEO takes chair at altnet
Niek Jan van Damme appointed Chairman at NGN Fiber Network to support expansion ambitions under Eurofiber partnership. van Damme the second ex-Deutsche Telekom name to join the altnet this year.
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Premium
Telefónica people moves: Colombian fibre JV names leadership
Telefónica Colombia’s fibre-building joint venture with KKR launches with a familiar top-team. Collaborative initiatives see Group execs take board seats at GSMA and IndesIA. VM O2 continues to make sweeping changes to senior leadership, with former O2 UK execs Bailey and Soto finding new roles elsewhere.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT’s fibre JV cleared and gets into planning mode
EC approves proposed GlasfaserPlus JV with no conditions. GlasfaserPlus identifies first 57 communities to be targeted in 2022. DT partner EWE reassures over Glasfaser Nordwest, the Group’s other high-profile fibre JV, which has hit regulatory roadblocks.
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Premium
BT takes open RAN for a spin with Nokia
Hull trial puts Nokia’s near-real-time RIC and xApps through their paces. Goal is to optimise EE’s network performance. Open RAN Innovation Centre at Adastral Park facility slated for launch “later” in 2022.
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Operations
INWIT targets faster growth with management reshuffle
New Technology and Operations department created, headed temporarily by CEO Giovani Ferigo. Ferigo will relinquish the role once a CTO is appointed, expected “shortly”. Senior tech executives Massimo Giuseppe Scapini and Elisa Patrizi pushed out.
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Premium
BT wary of Cellnex compromise on CKH tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from existing estate to enable new UK tower player to emerge, overcoming CMA concerns on competition linked to planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies already stepped forward as potential buyers. BT remains concerned about impact on MBNL and 5G investment plans.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: 5G network launched at Viscofan production centre
Telefónica launches 5G network for Spanish smart factory; Intel joins smart road journey; ElevenPaths to deploy document security services for Spanish government.
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Financial & Performance
Vantage tweaks schedule after ‘annoying’ builder delays
TowerCo’s build-to-suit programme hit by labour and material supply crunch. Management responds with move to simplify supply and logistics. Execs assure headline operational and financial goals remain in reach.
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Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 seeks partners for £1bn fibre rollout
Telefónica and Liberty Global said to be contacting investors soon. Move would underpin aim to turn JV into “national fixed–mobile champion” to rival BT. Reports say VM O2 wants to bring fibre to seven million extra homes.