Latest Regional News – Page 112
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M&ATelefónica (finally) exits Costa Rica
Group finalises long-awaited divestment. Final transaction price is $538m, around $40m short of previously agreed deal. Movistar marque utilised by Liberty as it pursues multi-brand strategy in Costa Rica. Former Movistar Costa Rica exec to head operations.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: senior Vivo swaps
Vivo names executive changes including operations and talent directors. Wayra’s long-time leader Arias exits for Madrid VC. Truphone draws more tier-one expertise with former O2 UK Transformation Director promoted.
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M&ARakuten acquires Telefónica open RAN investment
Rakuten to acquire Altiostar, Telefónica minority investment and “partner of choice”. Telefónica relationship with the US-based open RAN specialist extends beyond stake holding, with collaboration in network development and deployment in Europe and Latin America.
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PremiumVodacom optics take off with Nokia tech
South African optical network trials hailed as a success, with Nokia hardware enabling long-distance, high-capacity data transmission. Testing seen as a proof of concept for wider rollout and 5G services expansion.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVivendi reignites Telefónica relationship with new stake
1% shareholding set to be just the start of a closer alliance and reflects the media group’s enthusiasm for strategic telco partnerships. Partnership opportunities exist across the Telefónica footprint, but Spain appears the main area of interest for Vivendi. The move reverses earlier Vivendi exit as a Telefónica investor, ...
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica Tech extends cloud reach in Brazil
TC&CT division snags 49.99% stake in Vivo’s CloudCo Brasil. Deal builds on TC&CT’s earlier purchase of CyberCo Brasil. Working in parallel with local operating businesses becoming a Telefónica Tech trend.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s tax hike response
Safaricom responds to excise tax hike; M-PESA management rejig reaches Lesotho; change at top of Xlink.
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PremiumVodafone Spain snags 700MHz at reserve price
Capital outlay of €350m on 2×10MHz block of low-band spectrum. CEO, in brief statement, says concession will enable “acceleration” of 5G rollout.
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PremiumDT adds RingCentral to video collaboration portfolio
Telekom Deutschland offers more video options for businesses. Expanded portfolio includes Cisco, Microsoft, RingCentral, and Zoom.
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PremiumAmdocs to support billing tidy-up
Magyar Telekom’s billing transformation programme gets underway with Amdocs’ partnership. IT services provider will drive digitalisation and modernisation of the NatCo’s billing platform, the first element of a broader Future of Billing initiative.
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Strategy & ChangeT-Mobile US pushes ahead with mobile ad-tech plans
Magenta Marketing Platform bundles mobile network data, but not location data, for advertisers to reach targeted audiences.
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M&AVodafone Italy hands highways infra to INWIT JV
OpCo’s divestment bulks-up INWIT portfolio, as TowerCo continues spending spree. INWIT to equip portion of new assets with IoT capabilities in “smart road” drive. Acquisition expected to be green-lighted before end-2021.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone, ABG keep funding taps closed for beleaguered Indian JV
Vi shareholders wash their hands of JV’s plight. Insist that private investment is the only way for Vi to remain going concern. Vi CEO Ravinder Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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M&AVivo open to fibre M&A via new FiBrasil JV
CEO Christian Gebara signals interest if the price and quality is right. Brazilian fibre market becoming increasingly competitive.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone eyes corporates with Unisys tie-up
Group launches Digital Factory, offering digitalisation support and integration services for AR/VR, big data, blockchain, edge compute, and IoT. Move chimes with Business:2025 growth strategy.
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Strategy & ChangeHrvatski Telekom set to offload Optima stake
United Group to acquire majority stake in Optima, advancing converged services challenge to HT. Completion expected by end-2021, but deal requires regulatory approvals and changes to the law. Firming-up of agreement would free HT from strange management arrangement.
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M&AVivo set for a longer wait as CADE rules Oi deal is complex
Regulator to take its time to examine Oi divestment in detail. Decision confirms fears that closure will likely take place in 2022. Suggestion raised that deal could even be rejected.
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Network & InfrastructureEuropean Aviation Network charts 5G NSA flightpath
5G NR backwards compatibility with existing Evolved Packet Core main attraction over standalone variant. Allows EAN to simultaneously support existing aircraft fleets using 4G, and 5G fleets when onboard equipment becomes available.
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Network & InfrastructureJoosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
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Strategy & ChangeBT Global shuts down Kuwait HQ
Division’s rationalisation of Middle Eastern footprint continues as Group confirms closure of Kuwaiti facilities. Residual presence in country — and region — maintained via new reseller alliance with Ooredoo.