All articles by Joseph Purnell – Page 54
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PremiumVodafone steers Sony 5G test drives
Vodafone Germany is providing the 5G network for Sony’s connected-car trials. “Database on wheels” the ambition, with constant communication required over stable, high-speed network.
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Strategy & ChangeMovistar reboots investment unit for expansion
Telefónica’s audio-visual management company Contenidos has been repurposed as Telefónica España Filiales. New unit takes on a broader remit in apparent bid to grow its portfolio, moving away from multimedia focus. Holdings mapped out, with some recent changes.
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M&ATelxius completes European tower sale
Telefónica handed regulatory go-ahead for tower divestment, with German and Spanish sites handed to American Tower. Latin American portion to follow next year, pending approval. Submarine cables also up for grabs, with first bids reportedly received.
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PeopleFairhead added to BT Chair candidate list — report
Former International Trade Minister and HSBC Chair Rona Fairhead has emerged as a contender to replace the outgoing Jan du Plessis. Shortlist-creation reportedly still in its early stages.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVivo to build telemedicine presence with Teladoc
Teladoc Health partners with a second Telefónica core market to launch Vivo’s telemedicine and wellness platform. E-health proposition marks another step into a “digital ecosystem” for Vivo. Brazilian JV on the cards, if results go the right way.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica brings insurance unit closer to home
Telefónica Seguros, the Group’s insurance subsidiary, moves from Luxembourg to Spain as its remit expands. Cybersecurity and digital insurance niche increasingly a focus.
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Network & InfrastructureO2 deal with Vodafone to supplement spectrum gains
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with O2 trading blocks with Vodafone, while BT opts to buy preferable positions outright. O2–Vodafone trade ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach doubles rural fibre targets
Infrastructure business targets six million premises passed with full-fibre by 2025, aided by recruitment drive and enhanced investment. 4.8 million total premises passed so far, but no word on rural progress. Collaboration with government and fellow builders key to hitting goals.
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M&ATelefónica Colombia dials up DIRECTV buyout
DIRECTV internet services customer base and spectrum to be acquired under agreement, pending regulatory approval. Deal indicates “commitment” to Colombia despite rumblings of an exit, says CEO Hernández.
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PremiumBT people moves: new Director of Healthcare to lead NHS drive
Sultan Mahmud brought in to lead on NHS partnership and estate digitalisation, drawing on experience as innovation guru in NHS Trusts. Strategy & Transformation team appointments at Consumer. Ex-Vodafone exec appointed Group Treasury Director.
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OperationsDT to halve real estate footprint in cost reduction drive
Group will shutter 50% of its German real estate in the period to December 2024. Expected net savings could reach €200m. Reflective of a “new way of working” at T-Systems and TDE.
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Network & InfrastructureDT ready to carve out “kingmaker” tower assets
Deutsche Telekom wants to carve out “all” of its towers across Europe, says CFO Christian Illek. Change in mindset comes following rapid rise in TowerCo valuations. Czech and Slovakian footprint next to be assessed for extraction from NatCos.
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M&ATelefónica seeks buyers for logistics unit Zeleris — report
Telefónica España distribution and logistics subsidiary reportedly on the market with a €100m price tag. EY on board to push for a sale as divestment strategy continues across the Group.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Group names Network Operations lead
Group Networks leadership filled out with Clavero taking operations remit from Europe-bound Yildizi; El Sayed picks up European engineering lead. Top-level changes in EU Cluster OpCos. M-PESA Africa leadership firmed up.
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Partnerships & AlliancesAmdocs sets up shop on Vodafone’s Tomorrow Street
Long-time Vodafone partner signs strategic tie-up with scale-up incubator and offers digital transformation services to portfolio companies. Amdocs flags intention to market Tomorrow Street-backed solutions.
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M&ASuitor emerges for Telefónica Uruguay
Grupo Olmos, Argentinian healthcare, insurance, and media conglomerate, formalises intention to enter negotiations for the OB. Former Telefónica Espana CEO Gipérez appointed to “lead” acquisition project.
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Suppliers & SCMAtento targets ‘reshaped’ Telefónica relationship
Contact centre operator Atento claims largest share of Telefónica CX spend. As Atento-Telefónica MSA expiration nears, the priority is to “earn” business from the operator going forward. Telefónica eyes CX digitalisation in ongoing operational efficiency drive.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: Group appoints Climate Change boss
Sustainability a priority with new Chief of Climate Change post. Changes in Germany include a CEO swap at Omnichannel unit and exit of CISO Hollander. Provisional approval for the VM-O2 merger sees a swathe of proactive appointments — but no room for a handful of O2 UK stalwarts.
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PeopleInglis out as BT continues Board refresh
Another Board change as Mike Inglis, six-year Non-Executive Director, readies for his departure later this year. Sara Weller to (partly) fill his shoes on committees.
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Suppliers & SCMBT buys into blockchain-based vendor monitoring group
Tech-led transformation of telco’s procurement operations continues via adoption of IBM-backed Trust Your Supplier system. Group joins Vodafone, DT, and Verizon in backing new scheme. Move support category-aligned setup of standalone ProcureCo in Dublin.