All articles by Joseph Purnell – Page 46
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PeopleOpenreach’s Service Delivery chief Olly Kunc exits
Quietly leaves the Group, leaving management a shared, interim responsibility of Khatter and Stewart.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone claims 5G open RAN first
Vodafone UK launches 5G open RAN site, building on government-led open infrastructure ambition. Initial launch leverages partnerships with Capgemini, Dell, Intel, Keysight, Samsung, and Wind River. NEC and Samsung to be used in tandem for 2,500 sites from mid-2022.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica issues further €5.5bn in green bonds
ESG remains in the Telefónica spotlight with more refinancing at the Group. Decarbonisation and increased executive diversity the criteria for success. Group edges closer to €10bn total volume ambition.
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Strategy & ChangeDT’s Leroy backs Greek digitalisation plans
Head of Europe Dominique Leroy joins the campaign trail to promote Greek investment via OTE minority subsidiary. €3bn full-fibre investment plan in action to support national digital transformation. Bureaucracy remains a sticking point.
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PremiumBT people moves: ESG key in New Year changes
Digital impact and sustainability manifesto brings a number of new roles to further ESG agenda. Fibre build challengers Borderlink and Hyperoptic poach ex-BT and Openreach staffers to drive regional FTTP rollout plans. Healthcare remains a key focus for Digital and Enterprise developments.
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PeopleOpenreach’s McTighe emerges as frontrunner for Ofcom chair
Mike McTighe, Chairman at Openreach, reportedly on the shortlist to oversee regulator. Drawn-out search for Lord Burns’ successor sees another BT-affiliated name on the cards.
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PeopleBT’s new growth oriented Division X names leader
Former Sierra Wireless SVP Marc Overton appointed MD, Division X as BT Enterprise seeks solution-selling in high-growth verticals. Adjacent markets targeted by new unit, with Overton’s IoT specialism among the target technologies.
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PeopleTelefónica shuffles and slims security unit leadership
Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad takes on parent’s corporate leadership model. Changes to chairman and a handful of directors, with Group executives swapped for Tech names.
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M&AT-Mobile US picks up rideshare advertiser Octopus
Adtech-focused Marketing Solutions division makes acquisition to expand marketers toolkit. Octopus Interactive to transition to T-Mobile network for device connectivity.
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Venturing & InvestmentsSoftBank tie-up leads to GoStudent investment
DT and strategic partner SoftBank co-invest in ed-tech platform provider GoStudent. Investment collaboration one of promised benefits from renewed friendship last year, with GoStudent the first to profit from DT–SoftBank tie-up. Claure exit from SoftBank sees hiccup in new DT relationship, however.
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PremiumABB signs BT for wide ranging security and IoT deal
“Trusted partner” BT Global takes multi-national managed services deal. Automated, software-defined core platform with IoT and security focus set for deployment. Innovation collaboration commitment included.
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Innovation (R&D)T-Labs taps Merantix for AI voice fraud detection
Deutsche Telekom’s research arm ties with natural language processing partner Merantix Labs to co-develop deepfake detection tool. Seen as a likely necessity for future AI robustness, and builds on broader voice tech from across the Group.
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PremiumBT focuses energies on health industry
BT ramps up plans with formation of Clinical Advisory Board populated by eight NHS clinicians. Move builds on operator’s sign-up to Health Tech Alliance and The Kings Fund as part of efforts to expand in the industry through collaboration.
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PremiumEE trudges on with Shared Rural Network progress
46 ‘fresh sites’ delivered under SRN programme. EE to upgrade a further 1,532 sites with 4G by 2024 in ‘partial not-spot’ phase.
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Enterprise (B2B)BT Enterprise’s SoHo unit to exploit micro-business boom
Senior figures named and recruitment drive underway at unit focused on single office, home office demographic. Unit launched in 2021 to deliver tailored services to a growing micro-business customer base.
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Partnerships & Alliances1NCE taps AWS for expanded IoT platform rollout
DT-backed IoT platform provider 1NCE “intensifies” AWS relationship to launch an IoT core network. Partnership extends to development of new platform features, utilising AWS infrastructure.
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Venturing & Investmentshubraum progeny Blinkist turns a profit
Book-summarising startup gets into the black for the first time. Milestone reached decade into life of the business. Deutsche Telekom incubator hubraum exits startup on the cusp of profitability. Operator was early investor in 2012.
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PeopleEx-chair du Plessis wants to “move on” from BT exit
Jan du Plessis describes BT chairmanship as “not a great time”, but remains confident in Group strategy under CEO Jansen. Unceremonious resignation came amid reports of falling-out between the pair. Newly knighted du Plessis now teed up for UK audit watchdog role.
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PremiumVodafone amongst UK operators to action inflation-linked pricing
Vodafone joins fellow operators in price hike announcements as UK inflation pushes broadband and mobile prices up nearly 10%. Consumer challenges affecting MNOs too, says Vodafone spokesperson.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom people moves: 6G next on the networks list
Chalkiotis to lead the Group’s 6G interests alongside networks role. Greiner named new DT regulatory affairs head to lead EU relationship. DT–Orange procurement JV BuyIn names Canadian MD to drive partnerships with recent joiner Bell Canada.