All articles by Joe Purnell – Page 58
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Products & ServicesJoosub hints at pan-African ambitions for Vodacom’s Super App
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says Alipay-backed “Super App” could “transform the continent”. Super App’s enterprise offering will build on current VodaTrade and VodaPay functionality, with Vodacom targeting SMEs in its expanding financial services goals.
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Innovation (R&D)Machine safety startup nets grant to join BT-backed Belfast Smart Port
AI-powered safety startup Machine Eye wins £75,000 proof-of-concept competition from Techstart. Business wins grant for access to BT’s private 5G network at Belfast Harbour’s Smart Port development.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: senior strategic appointments at Hispam
Ancelovici and Caballero named Directors at Telefónica Hispam to lead business intelligence and development at the regional division. Competition policy head named at Group level. A new R&D CFO in Chile.
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Venturing & Investmentshubraum begins hunt for network sustainability startups
Innovation hothouse hubraum closed applications for its Network Sustainability Award, being run in partnership with Solar Impulse Foundation. Microsoft, Orange, and SK Telecom also in support. Green network management and energy production among the focuses as Deutsche Telekom ups its climate protection endeavours.
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M&ABids expected for Telxius subsea cables
Telefónica debt reduction strategy set to extend to submarine infrastructure as buyers are sought for 100,000km cable network. Reports indicate that an agreement is wanted by mid-2021, with rough valuations standing around the €2bn mark.
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PremiumBT people moves: Karonis replacement named at Enterprise
Following the launch of BT Digital and BT Networks, Dave Matthews was appointed BT Enterprise CTIO to fill Karonis’ shoes. BT Non-Executive Director Cheshire takes a Chairman role at Spire Healthcare. BT Global SVP Roger Woodend departs for AWS.
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PeopleDT’s long-running search for new chair continues
A replacement for Deutsche Telekom’s outgoing Supervisory Board Chairman Lehner continues after tight-lipped incumbent gave nothing away at Group AGM. External candidates considered. Disappointment of scuppered Harald Krüger appointment not yet rectified.
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Public AffairsTelefónica softens Millicom litigation demands
Millicom calls to dismiss legal case ruled out by Supreme Court. Telefónica dampens demands to instead seek damages. Litigation remains in motion.
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Public AffairsVivo in CADE firing line for cartel foul play
Brazilian consortium of Claro, Oi, and Vivo may face fines for alleged cartel practices relating to a 2015 broadband services tender. BT Brasil on the receiving end of supposed competition violations.
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Products & ServicesVodafone Germany builds up smart-home portfolio
German OpCo launches Building Connectivity 4.0 for central smart home management. UPLIFT startups tapped for periphery IoT products. Sustainability credentials touted again.
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Network & InfrastructureSafaricom partners Huawei, Nokia for 5G trials
Kenyan operator becomes the first East African telco to launch commercial 5G services in a limited rollout. Huawei and Nokia named technology partners, with local communications authority giving full backing to the China vendor’s security credentials.
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Network & InfrastructureSlovak Telekom rides Orange network for fibre growth
Operators reach agreement to share fibre network in bid to expand reach to greenfield sites. Over-the-top products to be a focus on launch in April.
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Strategy & ChangeNetworks joins Digital division to replace BT Technology
BT Technology was shuttered and replaced by two new divisions: BT Digital and BT Networks. Harmeen Mehta and Howard Watson at the respective helms as BT seeks transformation and modernisation. Fotis Karonis replacement named at BT Enterprise.
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M&ATele2 reaffirms planned T-Mobile exit as lock-in nears its end
Tele2 Group reiterates plans to exit the Dutch market “over time”. Agreement with Deutsche Telekom opens offload option from January 2022. Rumours of a DT exit remain fresh.
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Enterprise (B2B)Nevion upgrades BT’s FacilityLine
Longstanding media transport partner Nevion upgrades BT Media & Broadcast’s video exchange service with its VideoIPath solution.
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Consumer (B2C)BT reshuffles customer comms partner pack
Strategic marketing consultancy Go Inspire displaces Williams Lea for below-the-line marketing contract. CCgroup and The Academy added to BT Consumer agency portfolio in brand awareness push.
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Consumer (B2C)BT Sport signs billboard deal
BT Sport launched a campaign with Ocean Outdoors to broadcast Champions League highlight reels on its digital billboards.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT Security adds duo to partner ecosystem
Two more partners added just over six months after BT Security stressed the value of a streamlined portfolio, highlighting the challenge of meeting evolving security threats. Illumio’s micro-segmentation offering gets it onto BT’s security partners list. Acronis underpins SME-focused hybrid cloud proposition.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: former execs take vendor CxO spots
Recent Vodafone alumni changes include a Syniverse CEO; Avanti CTO; and LogMeIn CISO. Cloud & Hosting guru Colin Barrett swaps to IoT in Ireland. Vodafone Albania commercial promotions. More Vi senior leadership changes: CFO out; regional CTO in.
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OperationsNew East London BT HQ preps for sale
One Braham, soon to be BT’s main office, is reportedly being readied for a £500m sale. BT due to move at the end of the year after leaving 81 Newgate Street.