All articles by Ken Wieland – Page 19
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Network & InfrastructureDeutsche Telekom’s bumpy journey to software telco: Part I
Choi highlights importance of end-to-end service orchestration and automation… but accuses some open-source industry bodies of work duplication and low ambition. Resistance to disaggregation from established vendors still a problem… but promise of new business models, lower TCO, and faster time-to-market convince DT that software journey is necessary.
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Network & InfrastructureInternet Para Todos breaks more ground on open RAN trail
Venture has target of reaching 13,000 rural communities in Peru by end of 2020. Telefónica now has sights set on deploying thousands of open RAN nodes in “core markets”.
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Public AffairsTelefónica Argentina hit by Fernández decree
Presidential decree to freeze broadband, telephony, and pay-TV tariffs until end-2020 further weakens Argentina’s place in Telefónica world. Move seen as damaging enough to warrant cross-industry response. In subsequent dialogue with Enacom, operators show some willingness to play ball in return for assurances on “industry sustainability”.
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PeopleBT job was “brutal” says ex-CEO Patterson
Former CEO claims he did not feel criticism towards end of BT tenure. Prefers ‘can-do’ mindset of Silicon Valley. BT decision making presented as paper-based and sluggish by comparison.
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M&ADT half-way out of Romania (maybe)
Agreement “in principle” reportedly struck between Orange and Romania’s government to take over Telekom Romania’s fixed-line business. Mobile arm still up for sale, as DT struggles to find full escape velocity from underperforming market.
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M&ATelefónica sees exit door in El Salvador (but is it shut?)
Anti-trust agency lays out tough sale conditions to América Móvil’s Claro. Anxious wait to see if Mexican group plays ball. Both Telefónica Móviles El Salvador and Telefónica Multiservicios up for sale in deal reportedly worth $315m.
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PeopleSchüler plays down top-job rivalry at Virgin–O2
Virgin Media’s Schüler keeps his cool on competing with Telefónica’s Mark Evans for CEO role.
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Suppliers & SCMTeradata deepens Vodafone ties in Europe
Data and analytics solution provider signs expanded, three-year deal, tying in with Vodafone’s shift to cloud-based analytics.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDeutsche Telekom sets off Wave 2 in Berlin TEAC
Five tech startups selected for twelve-month programme. Familiar R&D themes of edge computing and ‘open’ networks. TIP’s TEAC boss sees room for improvement in how smaller, new players might be onboarded into telecoms supplier ecosystems.
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PremiumSpecial Report: Vodafone’s billion-dollar bash
Vodafone has spent much of the last 15 years paring back an eclectic wardrobe of ill-fitting minority interests, built up in more extravagant and expansionist times. But now, after a more cost-conscious round of business reshaping, it’s refilled its portfolio with a new range of partly-owned associates and JVs. ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesOTE hums and haws over Greek rivals’ new tower JV
Group prevaricates about throwing its lot in with Vantage Towers Greece, the new JV between Vodafone Greece and Wind Hellas.
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Network & InfrastructureT-Mobile US flicks the switch on standalone 5G
Sole reliance on low-band 600MHz purportedly boosts 5G coverage by 30%. Cisco Systems, Nokia are core network suppliers. Market research firms find NatCo leader on 5G availability, but not so good on average downlink speeds. TMUS expands rollout of Sprint’s mid-band 2.5GHz spectrum to support 5G.
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Products & ServicesDT gets a fix on NB-IoT tracking, logistics
Cross-border solution developed in partnership with 4smartlogistics, SLOC. Potentially available in 18 countries across Europe.
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Strategy & ChangeDeutsche Telekom’s OneApp undergoes big data revamp
Data-handling turnaround to gain more insights from self-care app. New big-data solution supported by AWS and assortment of software tools.
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ProfileProfile: José María Álvarez-Pallete López, Visionary Technocrat
Telefónica’s Executive Chairman and an avid numbers man, Álvarez-Pallete will take some convincing to follow business plans of others.
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ProfileProfile: Kumar Mangalam Birla, Global Expansionist
Straight-talking and hard-working, Birla is a formidable businessman. His commitment to Vodafone Idea cannot be taken for granted.
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ProfileProfile: Luigi Gubitosi, Turnaround Maestro
Gubitosi likes to shake things up to get cost-cutting results, even if means upsetting people.
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ProfileProfile: Victor Li Tzar-Kuoi, Son of Superman
Arguably still in the shadow of his father, the renowned Li Ka-shing, Li Tzar-Kuoi may prove easier to do business with than Read’s other billionaire-dollar guests profiled here.
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ProfileProfile: John Malone, Cable Cowboy
Eccentric billionaire Malone will push Vodafone hard for expansion, probably through acquisition, but any conflict at VodafoneZiggo seems to be reasonably contained so far.
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ProfileProfile: Dominique Senequier, Insurance Queen
A penchant for l’activisme” makes private equity specialist Senequier a potentially challenging business partner.