Latest from the Telco Ecosystems – Page 36
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Suppliers & SCMArqit excited by prospects despite controversial report
BT-partnered quantum encryption startup’s share price remains sharply down following savage WSJ article.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDT expands SKT tie-up to metaverse and beyond
Deutsche Telekom and SK Telecom map out new areas for cooperation. Tests of SKT’s metaverse platform expected in Germany by end 2022.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT continues “dramatic simplification” with cloud-first AWS deal
Five-year agreement adds to recent contract with Google Cloud to advance operator’s digital transformation and simplification drive. AWS named preferred cloud provider for internal applications.
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Partnerships & AlliancesStill no date for Safaricom Ethiopia launch
STE indicates it is close to reaching network-sharing agreements with Ethio Telecom. Changes to national payments law should pave way for M-PESA.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom Innovation & Venturing: Qualcomm to acquire Cellwize?
MobiledgeX offloaded, with Cellwize interest to follow; tooz technologies sets vision for the future of glasses; Open Dutch Fiber set to pass 400,000 homes with network.
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PremiumElsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Group: Staex secures €1.65m in funding
Decentralised IoT spinout Staex resurfaces; DT to debut design-orientated smart home device collection in Milan.
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Financial & PerformanceHrvatski Telekom rides Q1 shocks but ‘ready to adjust’
Croatian operator says Ukraine war exacerbating supply disruption challenges and inflation. No change to FY22 guidance but management watching developments. Telco still keen on M&A to expand regional footprint.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom signs “exclusive” deal with Visa in South Africa
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.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelekom Innovation Pool invests in IoT specialist Kinexon
Kinexon raises $130 million in largest financial round to date. Business provides solutions for major sporting organisations such as the NFL, FIFA, and the NBA, as well as strong presence in production and logistics industries.
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Partnerships & AlliancesOrange leans on DT buying ties to counter inflation
Executives lay out anti-inflation toolkit in macro risk-inflected Q1 results call. BuyIn joint venture with DT highlighted as having an important role in dampening cost pressures. African ops described as “resilient” to Ukraine war shockwaves.
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Venturing & InvestmentsWayra invests in ‘Spanish Google Drive’
Cloud storage provider Internxt receives cash injection in new funding round. Security-focused business hopes to grow “even faster” with newfound support.
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Innovation (R&D)Staex: DT spinoff aims to patch up fragmented IoT
Telekom Innovation Labs project on ‘new-generation’ IoT orchestration re-surfaces. New business Staex offers a fresh, decentralised take on running smart-utility and smart-city projects. First external funding secured. Startup sits outside of the DT perimeter but maintains ties with Detecon and T-Mobile.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica takes stake in deep-tech investment fund
Leadwind, launched between Telefónica and K Fund last year, raises €140m in first closing. Telefónica named largest private backer, with Spanish government’s innovation fund among public support.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT pilots orchestrated cloud with M2A Media
Pair conduct trial to meet demand for cloud media services. Further collaboration anticipated following “successful” integration showcase.
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PremiumBT recruited to modernise Scottish flood warnings
Scottish Environment Protection Agency taps BT to upgrade its Floodline messaging system. New service aims to alert a wider audience via email, social media, and web notifications.
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OperationsVivo refocuses M&A strategy with CVC launch
Vivo Ventures expected to become one of the largest CVCs in Brazil. Plans to invest BRL 320m across a number of startups over the next five years.
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Partnerships & AlliancesM-PESA gets interoperability boost in Kenya
Airtel, Telkom, and Safaricom customers granted access to M-PESA till payments. Central Bank of Kenya says first phase will “deepen digitalisation” for businesses. Airtel Money and T-kash equivalents still some way off.
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Network & InfrastructureDT committed to high-flying partner despite write-down
HAPS specialist Stratospheric Platforms remains loss making, but DT stays on board. Pilot in Saudi Arabia beamed a 5G signal from a mast 45,000ft in the air.
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PremiumTelefónica Innovation & Venturing Roundup: Open Future & Wayra on the lookout
Open Future and Wayra launch fresh startup calls; smart port developments in Valencia; co-investments promised in Spanish sports-tech.
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Partnerships & AlliancesUiPath highlights RPA tie-ups with T-Mobile, Vodacom
T-Mobile has been working with RPA specialists to handle the Sprint integration. Vodacom sees RPA as key to operational efficiency and customer experience.