Latest Deals & M&A
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M&ATalkTalk: BT takes the spoils, private equity takes a bath
In-Depth Analysis: The collapse and swift sale of TalkTalk has thrust BT into an unprecedented role as self-appointed industry saviour, ‘safeguarding’ millions of customers while attracting scrutiny from regulators, rivals, and policymakers — and highlighting the shortcomings of TalkTalk’s brief private equity ownership.
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M&ACMA flags substantial competition concerns as nexfibre/Netomnia dealt major blow
In-depth: The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority has delivered a significant setback to nexfibre’s proposed acquisition of Netomnia owner Substantial Group, arguing the deal would materially weaken competition in wholesale broadband markets.
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M&ADT gains another fibre M&A leg-up with Essen infra buy
Group to take over struggling fibrecos metrofibre and ruhrfibre, marking its second inorganic expansion in Essen over the past year. Move gives DT a fibre footprint boost amidst fierce competition from altnets, and as it waits for 2027 to free up more funding for rollout from AI efficiencies.
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M&ABT: ‘national champion’ initiates saviour-mode for TalkTalk rescue
‘National champion’ is reportedly preparing to swoop on forlorn TalkTalk as vultures circle overhead, exploring whether its age-old national-interest argument retains traction to mop up millions of stranded subscribers, many already with Openreach, should growing fears materialise that the top-five ISP is running out of financial runway.
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M&ASoftBank closes out $3.1bn DigitalBridge buy to scale in AI infra
Japanese conglomerate completes takeover of international infra investor behind numerous EMEA players such as Netomnia, Freshwave, and GD Towers. Move adds more data centres to SoftBank’s portfolio amidst an aggressive push to expand in the AI sector…
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Network & InfraUK fibreco Hyperoptic rejects wholesale as retail focus starts to pay
Altnet’s latest accounts reveal an altnet balancing rising debt and ongoing cash burn against improving profitability and penetration, while CEO Dana Tobak outlines an increasingly selective approach to expansion, wholesaling and consolidation.
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PeoplewatchSpain’s Indra melds defence and space units as part of strategy refresh
Spanish group makes some aggressive changes ahead of a Capital Markets Day in November, including a further rethink on the future of its stable of satellite industry interests, such as Hispasat and Hisdesat. A new strategic plan is in the works, and will replace a 2024 vision laid out by former Chairman Marc Murtra.
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M&ATelefónica plots intricate course towards Venezuelan exit — reports
Group reportedly preparing to divest Telefónica Venezuela — one of only two remaining businesses that within Hispam cluster.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: altnet consolidation quarrels, TV multi-play bets
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including nexfibre‑Netomnia ‘turmoil’, Openreach’s accelerated copper switch‑off, Virtus raises funds for UK expansion, and plenty more…
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Strategy & ChangeMásOrange goes back to its roots by rebranding as Orange Spain
Launched in 2024, MásOrange has already been replaced by its “strongest brand”.
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Network & InfraEurofiber becomes latest telco to join EC’s AI Factory scheme
B2B connectivity player lands contract to build fresh capacity under EC’s AI Factory initiative. Deal sees Eurofiber join several other digital infra and telecoms players in the scheme, and only shortly after modifying its own data centre strategy…
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Analyst ReportDeutsche Telekom jolted by fibre and satellite threats as leadership reset gathers pace
Strong Q2 numbers did not settle the strategic questions around DT and T-Mobile US. September’s Deutsche Telekomwatch Analyst Report #156 goes beyond the headlines to assess fibre and satellite pressure, the Group’s capital response, its Polish infrastructure pivot, and a leadership reset ahead of the next strategic cycle…
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M&AKenyan High Court rules to unwind Vodacom’s Safaricom takeover
Just months after celebrating taking control of Safaricom as a ‘defining moment’, Vodafone’s African arm now faces prospect of enforced €1.4bn deal unwind. From Midrand to London, execs must now confront complex balance-sheet unravelling and regulatory exposure.
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Public AffairsSFR takeover: unions call for strike action over workforce concerns
Union opposition to the proposed break-up of SFR intensifies, with employee representatives launching legal action and planning strike activity as they seek stronger protections and greater clarity.
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Strategy & ChangeITS promotes collaboration before ‘toolkit’ consolidation in “tough market”
Daren Baythorpe, CEO at UK B2B fibre wholesaler ITS Technology, believes the next phase of telecoms consolidation could look very different from the last. The B2B wholesaler boss argues that investors may increasingly combine complementary infrastructure assets rather than pursue straightforward fibre-network mergers.
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M&AUK: industry braced as nexfibre–Netomnia deal becomes referendum for fibre’s future
In-depth: £2bn deal dominated the keynote stage at Connected Britain, with rival executives abandoning diplomatic language and openly clashing ahead of a competition ruling that could determine shape of UK fibre’s next phase.
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Network & InfraIridium tables NTN Direct go-live for Q4
Satco firms up timeframe for launch of NTN Direct as trials of the IoT and D2D platform continue ahead of launch. Iridium highlights automotive connectivity testing with Deutsche Telekom and Toyota to demonstrate network integration and roaming…
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M&AVodafoneZiggo secures tower sale ahead of spin-off
Dutch towers offloaded to private investors as Liberty Global closes in on Benelux spin off, while DigitalBridge eyes creation of “new, independent” Benelux platform.
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Analyst BriefingDeutsche Telekomwatch: Board lines up next generation
Analyst Briefing: Reviewing tumultuous few weeks at DT as Group makes remuneration concession and enacts top-level leadership change on both sides of the Atlantic, to shore up stakeholder base and prep for new era. Execs also allow a rare major M&A move in Europe and add more names to DT’s AI transformation line-up.
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M&AOrange expands defence unit with private 5G platform acquisition
Orange looks to tap growing demand for ‘sovereign’ connectivity through the acquisition of Dome, a specialist private 5G platform serving defence and critical operations.