Latest from the Telco Ecosystems – Page 37
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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.
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Venturing & InvestmentsUK’s rebranded BII embarks on new impact investing
British International Investment (BII) embraces broader digital strategy.
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Products & ServicesBT Final Mile locker network expands
Calor and EDF Energy named as third-party customers for Final Mile service. Pelipod revenue has been rising, but so have losses. CJ Retail Solutions was awarded the locker installation contract.
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PremiumElsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: grey spots gone?
Coverage boost claimed; TDE expands fibre footprint with regional deals.
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PremiumDT taps Netcracker for B2B automation
Netcracker recruited to automate DT’s B2B services. Hosted on AWS, Netcracker Service Orchestration will support operator’s services across LAN, WAN, and Wi-Fi. TDE targeting new revenue streams in “multiple” B2B segments.
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Partnerships & AlliancesSpaceMobile lures Orange with Vodafone template
Evolving cellular broadband provider now claims association with 1.8 billion mobile accesses as commercial plans progress. FY21 results see $80m more cash spent by SpaceMobile, but with $322m still at hand to fuel 2023 first phase launch. Management assures supply chain and satellite slots secure despite global upheaval.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom Innovation & Venturing: further funds for vHive & Axonius
DT pumps more funds into drones software developer vHive and cybersecurity asset management player Axonius.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDT invests in Helium’s distributed network
Telekom Innovation Pool joins $200m funding round in decentralised IoT network operator. Crypto token incentive model sees growth in recent years. Liberty Global among fellow participants.