Latest Headlines
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Innovation (R&D)T-Labs and TMUS scoping out immersive shopper tech
Group R&D arm and US NatCo open applications for T‑Challenge 2022. Focus on retail vertical, with telco keen to enhance post‑COVID experiences for those shopping at home and in‑store. Scheme offering share of €600,000 prize pot.
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Products & Services
Vodafone commences Group wide roll out of ‘Eco‑SIMs’
Group ups ante on waste reduction with launch of recycled SIM chips. ‘Eco‑SIMs’ to be rolled out in 15 territories. Available in UK from spring next year.
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Public Affairs
BT escalates appeal in landline overcharging case
Competition Appeals Tribunal tells BT it has little prospect of success in a call to block US‑style class action. Operator will take case to Court of Appeal as it seeks to swap opt‑out procedure for an opt‑in alternative. The latest update in an ongoing £589m saga amid allegations of ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone takes Ofcom to task over proposed 2100MHz fees
Vodafone warns that rise in licence fees risks being passed onto end users. New annual licence fees for 2100MHz set to come into force from January 2022. Group calculates significantly lower fee compared with Ofcom’s proposal.
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People
EE–Three network sharing JV MBNL confirms King as MD
Gervase King coronated as MD at MBNL. Permanent appointment fills gap left by Pat Coxen, who moved to BT Consumer last year.
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M&A
Telefónica sells El Salvador unit at the second attempt
Honduran financiers acquire Telefónica El Salvador for a cut‑price $144m following breakdown of negotiations with América Móvil in 2020. Move completes Telefónica’s exit from Central America.
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Products & Services
Fortinet secures Telefónica SD‑WAN for hybrid work era
Telefónica Tech launches evolved flexWAN proposition, addressing the cybersecurity demands of ‘new normal’ hybrid working. Longstanding security partner Fortinet tapped for updated offering. Spain first, rest of Telefónica footprint to follow. Fortinet ups engagement with telco players.
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Products & Services
BT ramps up security focus with Eagle-i launch
Platform takes “proactive approach” to cybersecurity. Slimmed‑down partner portfolio and Safe Security investment tagged as key enablers of new approach.
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People
Latest Vodafone people moves: leads named at scale up and engineering units
New unit established to draw together hunt and nurture unicorn startups, with Bento at the helm, while a unified European software engineering team installs Connelly at the top. Vacant Vodafone IoT Technology leadership filled by pair of promotions, with IoT solutions development also in the crosshairs elsewhere in the ...
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Strategy & Change
Kumar’s Vodafone Business makeover continues: Global Enterprise CEO exits
Elms steps down from MNC unit. Lorilloux seen absorbing remit. Latest change at Vinod Kumar’s re-morphing Vodafone Business division.
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Venturing & Investments
AtlasEdge reels in more investment, new CEO
Liberty-backed European datacentre operation gets investment boost from Digital Realty. Giuliano Di Vitantonio to become CEO in January. Virgin Media O2 confirmed as AtlasEdge customer.
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Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom’s OneApp to launch in Germany
Germany will be tenth market to deploy the self-service customer care app. OneApp is key product in the Group’s IT harmonisation programme.
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M&A
Telefónica moulds new UK unit for central cloud push
Cancom business, bought in August, becomes “Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland”. New name reflects ambitions to widen out Group’s in‑country offering.
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Venturing & Investments
BT forms team to target strategic startup investments
Group getting back in funding game, focusing on startups in North America and Europe. New Digital division’s focus on platforms and partnerships at centre of push.
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M&A
Hrvatski Telekom’s Optima offload expected within “days”
Change in Electronic Media Act paves way for transaction with United Group. Regulatory chief “very satisfied” at the prospect of a “third major player” in the fixed market.
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People
Latest BT people moves: BT Digital firms up Consumer and Operations leadership
Thomas Duecke pivots from Global and Kevin Lee moves from eBay to join BT Digital’s top‑table. BT Sourced lures Fulden Sener to new Dublin offices, while Carmel McInally’s exit leaves a vacant IT Procurement post. Enterprise finance leadership changes.
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Venturing & Investments
Vodafone venturing alumni earn No Big Deal backing
Marketing platform provider No Big Deal banks €465,000 in funding to scale in Benelux region. Founded in 2020 by former Vodafone Procurement Company and Tomorrow Street managers Bergstra and Klemetz.
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Strategy & Change
OVHcloud IPO to fuel Europe’s “cloud champion”
T-Systems’ Gaia‑X partner to go public this week. European cloud provider plans to take on US tech giants with data sovereignty credentials. Growth plans include bulking up through acquisitions.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Greggs keeps good times rolling with VM O2 partnership
Virgin Media O2–Greggs alliance working “well for both brands”, as telco adds element of differentiation to customer loyalty programme.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra buys into eSIM startup Airalo
Telefónica one of four telco investors in eSIM specialist. Funding to be used to expand to more countries and recruit more staff.
