Ken Wieland
Ken has been writing about developments in the fixed and mobile markets for over twenty years. He has been a contributor to Market Mettle and TelcoTitans since 2015.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone CEO disses DSS
Nick Read flags “performance degradation” when using DSS in blended environment of 4G and 5G. Not clear if all vendors equally guilty in Read’s eyes. Ericsson’s proprietary Ericsson Spectrum Sharing solution used in key Vodafone markets, including Germany and UK. Vendor emphatically denies there is any meaningful performance dip ...
- Innovation (R&D)
BT quantum-secures hollow core fibre in trial
QKD hook‑up with Lumenisity HCF pitched as world first. Lord says trial “accelerates the UK’s lead in quantum technologies”. Widespread HCF deployment still some way off, however.
- M&A
Deutsche Telekom sees Dutch exit door loosen — report
India’s Reliance Industries reportedly set to make €4.8bn non-binding offer for T-Mobile Netherlands. Several top foreign banks apparently formed syndicate to fund the takeover. Akash Ambani said to be personally managing the T-Mobile transaction.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Aldi enters smart home space with DT tie-up
Entry-level SmartHome Magenta package to be made available on online shelves. Tie-up with Germany’s discount supermarket chain will no doubt be watched closely by smart-home rivals.
- Corporate
DT sees shareholder dissent over exec pay: report
Georgeson flags DT among big European companies facing increased dissent from institutional investors over exec remuneration. BlackRock unhappy about growing trend among firms to contrive large bonuses from changing previously agreed performance metrics. Unclear if DT falls into this category.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Arqit CEO lets slip mixed feelings about BT links
Startup boss concedes that its partner is also a QKD competitor, which “changes the addressable market somewhat”. He also tellingly describes BT as “very cautious” at a time when terrestrial QuantumCloud on cusp of commercial rollout.
- Suppliers & SCM
Movistar preps 5G backhaul with SIAE Microelettronica
Italian supplier scores another microwave deal in Latin America. Another building block for coming 5G launch.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica Tech likes to be in Cloud Garden with IBM
Duo launches hybrid cloud enterprise solutions based on AI and blockchain. Aim to make omni-channel customer support services more efficient and improve supply chain management. New set of services leverages recently upgraded Cloud Garden, a joint Telefónica–IBM initiative.
- Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica adds 700MHz to 5G spectrum arsenal
€310m capital outlay on 2×10MHz block of low-band spectrum. Operator confirms longstanding network partners Ericsson and Nokia as 5G SA radio suppliers. CTIO claims provider has the “best technology partners” that can help develop 5G “at the highest level of quality”. 5G TV pilots with regional broadcasters in Castilla-La ...
- Financial & Performance
Vi AGR appeal torpedoed; Birla seeks to jump ship
Vi challenges Supreme Court decision to stick with DoT’s AGR liability calculation. Vodafone’s junior partner Kumar Mangalam Birla resigns as Vi Chairman shortly after India’s top court sides with DoT. Vi CEO Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
- Suppliers & SCM
VPC’s Wilson praises Lenovo for help in pandemic crisis
Ninian Wilson impressed by Lenovo’s ability to meet “huge demand” for laptops when Vodafone call‑centre operatives needed to work from home during lockdown. Extends existing Lenovo contract as reward: “when people help you in a crisis you don’t forget”.
- Strategy & Change
Telefónica Tech extends cloud reach in Brazil
TC&CT division snags 49.99% stake in Vivo’s CloudCo Brasil. Deal builds on TC&CT’s earlier purchase of CyberCo Brasil. Working in parallel with local operating businesses becoming a Telefónica Tech trend.
- Financial & Performance
Vodafone, ABG keep funding taps closed for beleaguered Indian JV
Vi shareholders wash their hands of JV’s plight. Insist that private investment is the only way for Vi to remain going concern. Vi CEO Ravinder Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
- Network & Infrastructure
European Aviation Network charts 5G NSA flightpath
5G NR backwards compatibility with existing Evolved Packet Core main attraction over standalone variant. Allows EAN to simultaneously support existing aircraft fleets using 4G, and 5G fleets when onboard equipment becomes available.
- Network & Infrastructure
Joosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
- Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom cranks gears for Dutch exit
TMNL sales process reportedly whirs into action; several private equity players circling. Mixed signals on valuation.
- Network & Infrastructure
Vantage Towers CEO dismisses bond proxy tag
Vivek Badrinath enthuses about “exciting business model”. Sees scope for innovation and expansion through greater non-operator engagement. Always on the lookout for M&A opportunities, but existing markets take priority if going down consolidation route.
- Products & Services
MobiledgeX updates platform, switches on revenue taps
Deutsche Telekom edge compute spinout unveils MobiledgeX Edge‑Cloud 3.0. Latest platform iteration aimed at enabling greater collaboration between telcos and hyperscalers. DT–Mavenir tie-up demos cloud-native 5G user plane function to support MEC applications. CEO Hoffman says MobiledgeX making money; aims to increase number of operator “installations” from 18 to ...
- Suppliers & SCM
Telefónica says continuity vital in 5G SA supplier selection
Operator confirms longstanding network partners Ericsson and Nokia as 5G SA radio suppliers. CTIO claims provider has the “best technology partners” that can help develop 5G “at the highest level of quality”.
- Public Affairs
Uzan family sues Vodafone and others for $68bn
Turkish clan of business tycoons claims its assets were illegally seized and sold by the state. Vodafone’s 2005 acquisition of Telsim among the family’s grievances. Group denies all allegations of contributing to defraud the Uzans.
