Joseph Purnell
Joseph Purnell is a Staff Reporter for TelcoTitans, contributing telecoms news analysis since 2019 as part of the TelcoTitans and Market Mettle Editorial team.
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Venturing & InvestmentsInnovation in the crosshairs: Wayra X and Wayra Builder launched
Wayra marks tenth birthday with launch of all‑digital hub Wayra X. Innovation arm looking beyond Telefónica footprint. Wayra Builder released to target tie‑ups with external investors for internal tech spin‑outs.
- People
Vi’s Vora joins Mavenir leadership
Former Vi CTO Vishant Vora appointed executive President at Mavenir. Helping open RAN pioneer build out 5G proposition. Troubled Vi left to fight its own fires.
- People
Latest Deutsche Telekom moves: Pekovic takes Romania top spot; Affirmed’s Ahmed joins DTCP
Vladan Pekovic named Telekom Romania CEO in wake of OTE exit. Affirmed Networks’ Hassan Ahmed takes DTCP advisory role. DT Europe CEO Dominique Leroy moves into another NatCo Board seat, this time in Greece.
- Corporate
T‑Mobile US boardroom given a refresh
Newly‑appointed Telekom Deutschland CEO Srini Gopalan leaves US board, swapped for Dominique Leroy. hubraum’s Tazi and Group veteran Wilkins also join.
- Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: the startups to watch
Five standout startups driving UK 5G innovation. UK government helping underwrite. Regional initiatives open floor to smaller operators (MNOs in the wings).
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone looks to unlock Spanish home security market
Vodafone Spain signs strategic agreement with market leader Securitas Direct. Announced shortly after Movistar’s Prosegur JV published its first positive customer acquisition results since its March launch. Telcos increasingly prevalent in Spain’s home security market.
- People
Latest BT people moves: former CEOs take roles elsewhere
Ex‑CEOs at BT Germany, Global Solutions, and Ireland appointed in new positions. Leadership change at ex‑BT Ventures units. New legal roles across the Group.
- Venturing & Investments
Wayra helping UK government target LatAm tech scaleups
Entrepreneurs in Wayra’s Hispam footprint to compete in the Scaleup to UK 2021 programme. Doors opened to UK authorities and Wayra specialists to kickstart UK expansion.
- Network & Infrastructure
T‑Mobile US’ Gulf voyage hits COVID squall
Maritime 4G partnership with RigNet feels brunt of coronavirus disruption, with reduced traffic slowing investment returns.
- People
Latest Vodafone moves: Vi leadership restructured; new Safaricom CFO installed
Vodafone builds open RAN influence with O‑RAN Alliance oversight spot. Takkar handed another three years to lead Vodafone’s troubled Indian JV Vi. Safaricom Board rejigged following exec changes at Kenyan operator and parent Vodacom.
- Venturing & Investments
Wayra joins €2.5m ticket for rural Wi‑Fi partner
Wi‑Fi solution startup Galgus closes Series‑A funding round led by Conexo Ventures, with Wayra investing too. Galgus is a Telefónica partner on public Wi‑Fi in under‑served areas.
- Venturing & Investments
hubraum continues XR bet with three way investment
Tech incubator closes 5G Consumer Entertainment Program with trifecta investment. XR identified as key consumer use‑case.
- People
Latest Telefónica moves: Global Solutions restructured
Telefónica Insurance names a Director General as it expands its footprint. Telefónica Global Solutions rejig makes an impact. 4iQ gets new CEO well‑versed in strategic sales. A shift in UK SMB leads.
- Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Hungary spins out its tower operation
New Hungary TowerCo mirrors recent moves across European businesses. Another foundation stone laid for Vodafone’s Vantage Towers float. Gergő Budai takes CEO spot.
- People
Deutsche Telekom moves: India digital ops expansion
Bedding-in of new Global Business Solutions organisation continues. India‑based development unit Deutsche Telekom Digital Labs remains in build-out mode, with Bharti Airtel alumni being tapped. Detecon executives off to form new venture. William Tal given digital strategy remit at T‑Mobile for Business.
- Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone Supplier Awards 2020: winners
VPC dished out eight awards in its first digital edition. Accenture the standout: ‘Supplier of the Year’ and outstanding technology performance recognised. Nokia picks up two trophies, too. Sitetracker win nods to Tomorrow Street value. Ericsson and Huawei absent.
- Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: projects, testbeds and trials
Inaugural DCMS 5G funding established testbeds across the UK: hubs for future 5G‑enabled innovation. £200m funding pledged by 2022.
- Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: Rural Connected Communities
5G set to be leverages to improve the connectivity in rural, underserved areas across the UK. Rural nature sees telco participation lacking; regional operators pick up the slack. Startups and SMEs in the picture.
- Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: Industrial 5G
Three projects to build next‑generation connectivity into UK industry. O2 and Vodafone take the lead. Universities make up significant proportion of consortia.
- Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: 5G Create
DCMS‑funded projects take £16m in grants for 5G use‑cases. Automation, broadcasting, and XR among the technologies. BT, O2, and Three participate.
