All articles by Ken Wieland – Page 8

  • vfw206-tt-omers-tpg
    M&A

    TPG sells towers to Canadian pension fund

    2022-05-09T14:18:00Z

    CEO Berroeta claims balance sheet boost is “strong outcome” for shareholders. Enterprise value set at AU$ 950m. After transaction costs and tax, TPG will bank a more modest sum of between AU$ 350m and AU$ 400m. Transaction includes 20-year master services agreement.

  • tfw163-tt-fibreco
    M&A

    Telefónica wants €1bn for 49% stake in Spanish rural FibreCo

    2022-05-05T14:31:00Z

    Group issues sales prospectus for new fibre JV. “Host of possible interested parties”, according to Spanish media outlets, with winner to be decided by the end of the year.

  • vfw206-tt-google-cloud
    Operations

    Vodafone exec hails big data benefits of Google Cloud

    2022-05-03T15:24:00Z

    Ignacio Garcia says Vodafone collaboration with Google Cloud Platform has helped improved customer satisfaction and lower TCO. Platform processed more than 100 exabytes from Group operations in 2021.

  • vfw206-tt-visa
    Partnerships & Alliances

    Vodacom signs “exclusive” deal with Visa in South Africa

    2022-04-28T12:51:00Z

    New contract builds on similar deal between Safaricom and Visa for M-PESA. Visa payments option likely to be available as a virtual card integrated into the recently launched VodaPay Super App.

  • dtw114-tt-tde-regio-circles
    Operations

    Telekom Deutschland CEO urges regional decision making

    2022-04-25T09:50:00Z

    First meeting of five ‘Regio Circles’ takes place in Berlin. Gopalan keen to empower local customer-facing units to improve end-user experiences. Fibre and 5G services a priority.

  • btw#334-tt_r100
    Network & Infrastructure

    Scottish gov working with Openreach to accelerate R100

    2022-04-21T12:52:00Z

    R100 project, backed by devolved Scottish government, connects only tiny fraction of targeted premises with superfast broadband. Subsea infrastructure on track to hit rollout deadline, but wider R100 programme facing delays. Scottish government “actively engaging” with Openreach to accelerate rollout; acknowledges (again) that R100 is “hugely challenging”.

  • Jalil echoes Mehta mantra of moving fast, breaking things
    Premium

    Jalil echoes Mehta mantra of moving fast, breaking things

    2022-04-14T15:28:00Z

    Global CIO flags digital transformation for multinational customers as priority. BT moving from network-centric products and connectivity to cloud-based platform solutions. Working closely with Mehta to adapt BT culture and “attract a new generation of tech talent”.

  • vfw206-fttp-germany
    Network & Infrastructure

    Vodafone fibre JV rumours resurface in Germany

    2022-04-14T15:02:00Z

    UK-headquartered Group reportedly talking to investors. Maximum investment said to be capped at €10bn. Off-balance sheet option wheeled out again.

  • EU backlash over BT nod to manage TESTA
    Premium

    EU backlash over BT nod to manage TESTA

    2022-04-13T15:27:00Z

    EU-headquartered telcos reportedly up in arms over Commission’s preference for BT to manage pan-European backbone network for exchange of sensitive data. EC suspends signature of £1bn TESTA framework contract pending review of concerns raised.

  • dtw113-tt-abildgaard
    M&A

    T-Mobile Netherlands CEO welcomes private equity owners with open arms

    2022-04-04T14:08:00Z

    Abildgaard compares new strategy with that of old parent company Deutsch Telekom. Ambitious aim to turn Dutch operator into the country’s largest fibre service provider within five years. CEO makes undisclosed investment in new-look company.

  • dtw113-tt-hrvatski
    M&A

    Hrvatski Telekom to absorb evotv assets

    2022-03-31T11:49:00Z

    Merger of HT Produkcija with Croatian incumbent on the cards. HT Produkcija, fully owned by Hrvatski Telekom and owner of evotv, will cease to exist.

  • dtw113-tt-tmnl-cash
    M&A

    Deutsche Telekom set to cash in on Dutch exit

    2022-03-28T14:27:00Z

    T-Mobile Netherlands’ junior partner Tele2 expects sale transaction to close within “weeks”. Group to receive around €3.8bn in net cash proceeds. Unlikely to follow Tele2’s lead and use cash windfall for extraordinary dividend.

  • Ericsson HQ
    Premium

    Vodafone goes 5G network slicing with Ericsson

    2022-03-25T14:40:00Z

    Duo claims first successful lab trial for “on-demand” network slice. Set-up purportedly takes 30 minutes using “automated processes”. Guaranteed downlink speeds of 260Mbps apparently achieved.

  • dtw112-tt-t-mobile-5g
    Network & Infrastructure

    T-Mobile US plugs ‘5G-as-a-platform’

    2022-03-24T15:26:00Z

    5G Forward package of initiatives aimed at helping developers of all sizes gain access and experiment on operator’s network. Unveils brand new 24,000-square foot Tech Experience 5G Hub facility. New strategic partnerships with Disney and Red Bull to develop “new 5G-powered experiences”.

  • vfw205-tt-m-pesa-cbk
    Products & Services

    Claws out for M-PESA from Central Bank, Treasury

    2022-03-21T14:31:00Z

    Bank Governor Njoroge tells Senate ICT Committee that a standalone m-money business will improve regulation and customer protection in Kenya. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Yatani adds that M-PESA transaction charges are too high. Njoroge and Yatani’s submissions are part of probe into alleged monopolistic practices by Safaricom. Central Bank opens ...

  • EE leans on Nokia for outdoor small cells
    Premium

    EE leans on Nokia for outdoor small cells

    2022-03-21T10:16:00Z

    200 street-level 4G small cells rolled out in UK. 5G small-cell trials to start “soon”. Outdoor minicell trials with other suppliers in pipeline.

  • Execs upbeat about fixed wireless headway
    Premium

    Execs upbeat about fixed wireless headway

    2022-03-20T16:13:00Z

    5G Home Internet sails past half-million subs target for end-2021. Some 40% are new TMUS customers, the majority of which come from cable operators. Sievert talks gleefully of “cable switchers” in urban and suburban areas.

  • OneWeb rescues launch plan with SpaceX
    Premium

    OneWeb rescues launch plan with SpaceX

    2022-03-20T10:14:00Z

    UK-backed operator can send more satellites into orbit this year after cancelling launches on Russian rockets. Fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits satellite comms operator and threatens years of international space collaboration. Possible knock-on effect on distribution partner BT if service is delayed.

  • TMUS lends AT&T a helping 3G hand (until July)
    Premium

    TMUS lends AT&T a helping 3G hand (until July)

    2022-03-19T16:13:00Z

    Under pressure from the Alarm Industry Communications Committee, AT&T signs 3G roaming deal with TMUS. AICC says it is ‘too little, too late’ and that “millions of Americans” will be left without emergency home alarms. TMUS to shutter 3G network on 1 July 2022.

  • btw333-tt-satellite-ofcom
    Network & Infrastructure

    Ofcom pursues ‘strategy refresh’ on satellite spectrum

    2022-03-17T14:44:00Z

    UK regulator says the growing number of LEO broadband satellites is adding pressure on the use of spectrum. Warns that complexities of managing interference between different NGSO systems could have implications for competition. Starts industry consultation to review where best to focus efforts in space sector.