James Groves
James Groves is Deputy Editor for TelcoTitans.
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Strategy & ChangeAll eyes on Read as e& acquires $4.4bn Vodafone stake
Chief Executive Nick Read ‘blindsided’ by announcement ahead of Tuesday’s annual results call.
- Financial & Performance
VodafoneZiggo ‘prioritises customer experience’, reports “solid” Q1
Preliminary Q1 FY22 results show 37,000 mobile contract additions, taking VfZ beyond five million SIMs. Suffers inevitable impact of losing F1 rights in 2021, though damage appears contained. VodafoneZiggo pledges to supply all customers with 1Gbps connection by the end of the year.
- Public Affairs
“If you’re a bully, you get a pasting”: union continues BT bashing, confirms action ballot
Communication Workers Union Annual Conference galvanises members as it takes fight to BT. Industrial action ballet to go ahead “as soon as possible”. “These people have no integrity” says Deputy General Secretary Andy Kerr.
- Financial & Performance
“Give the competition a chance”: T-Mobile US flaunts 5G dominance, dismisses inflation concerns
Positive set of figures from T‑Mobile US as operator surpasses customer gain estimates. NatCo more than keen to highlight 5G influence, claiming a ‘two‑year lead’ on rivals AT&T and Verizon. Cost of living crisis a “real opportunity” for T‑Mobile to “serve more people as the value leader”, says CEO ...
- Venturing & Investments
Telekom Innovation Pool invests in IoT specialist Kinexon
Kinexon raises $130 million in largest financial round to date. Business provides solutions for major sporting organisations such as the NFL, FIFA, and the NBA, as well as strong presence in production and logistics industries.
- Venturing & Investments
Wayra invests in ‘Spanish Google Drive’
Cloud storage provider Internxt receives cash injection in new funding round. Security-focused business hopes to grow “even faster” with newfound support.
- Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom Tanzania targets rural areas with fibre investment
TZS 25bn investment secures use of government-owned fibre infrastructure. State wants 80% population coverage by 2025. OpCo aims to offer increased access to healthcare, education and “financial inclusion”.
- M&A
Oi sale completed following two‑year wait
Consortium featuring Telefónica|Vivo, América Móvil’s Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil concludes BRL 14.5bn deal for Brazilian operator’s mobile assets. Move will bring a “new infrastructural balance” to the market. Initial interest was mooted in March 2020, with Oi having filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Telefónica|Vivo to net 12.5 million ...
- M&A
DT hoping for speedy resolution amid ‘multiple’ tower bids
Future of Deutsche Funkturm to be determined following bids from various parties, with American Tower, Cellnex, KKR, and Vantage Towers all named. DT apparently keen to seal a deal sooner rather than later. Despite previous intent to complete full sale, minority option remains “attractive”.
- Suppliers & SCM
BT recruited to modernise Scottish flood warnings
Scottish Environment Protection Agency taps BT to upgrade its Floodline messaging system. New service aims to alert a wider audience via email, social media, and web notifications.
- Operations
Vivo refocuses M&A strategy with CVC launch
Vivo Ventures expected to become one of the largest CVCs in Brazil. Plans to invest BRL 320m across a number of startups over the next five years.
- 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.
- Public Affairs
Industrial 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.
- Operations
TPG 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.
- Venturing & Investments
Vodafone 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.
- 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.
- M&A
T‑Mobile Netherlands sale finalised
Consortium WP/AP Telecom Holdings concludes long‑awaited transaction. New owners keen on ‘business as usual’ approach, with eyes on continued growth. Deutsche Telekom expected to net about €3.8bn from sale.
- Network & Infrastructure
No further delays in Sprint 3G shutdown, insists TMUS
Following a three-month delay, reports had suggested the process could yet suffer further setbacks. Shutdown began 31 March and will be completed by the end of May. TMUS’ own network to follow suit on 1 July.
- Public Affairs
“Insulting” pay bump rejected as BT faces fresh union battle
Communication Workers Union refuses £1,200 flat rise, demanding a 10% increase. States BT has a “clear choice” between prioritising shareholders or workers. Union threatens to begin statutory industrial action ballot.
- Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 taps VMware to boost 5G rollout
Expanded collaboration to deliver 5G services “without limitations”. VMware continue work on Virgin Media O2’s ongoing deployment, which began 16 months ago.
