Latest Regional News – Page 128
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Products & ServicesDT’s tooz JV surfaces with smart-glasses dev kit
Tools available in China first, Europe and other markets later this year. Product development progress for smart-glasses startup after three years.
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M&ATelefónica seeks suitor with Chile exit in pipeline
Speculative report suggests Group is ready to relinquish interest in a key pillar of its Hispam unit as monetisation plans evolve. Liberty flagged as front runner, although may face regulatory challenges, and other runners and riders not ruled out.
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Suppliers & SCMAltiostar flagged as supplier for Vodafone partner AST SpaceMobile
Vodafone signals plan to integrate SpaceMobile service with Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone offerings initially in DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
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Financial & PerformanceVi eyes $2bn cash injection
Reports suggest Vodafone’s Indian joint venture will announce funds from a consortium of investors imminently. Fundraising initiative began in September to ease Vi’s debt burden, with 4G expansion also expected to get a boost.
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M&AViasat buys out T-Mobile partner RigNet
Maritime connectivity provider RigNet acquired by satellite specialist Viasat in $222m deal. T-Mobile US partnered with RigNet in July 2019, but COVID-related issues have pegged back progress.
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M&AT-Mobile ties up another Sprint loose end with Swiftel buy
US NatCo buys Sprint-branded wireless assets operated by Swiftel Communications, leaving Shentel as the last remaining Sprint affiliate.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica in on SEAT’s flagship Spanish e-vehicle plan
Longstanding partner builds-out connected-car alliance with Telefónica. Group lends hand to SEAT’s goal of accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Spain.
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Network & InfrastructureAustralia’s mobile network operators pitch for 5G funding
TPG, Telstra, and Optus angle for lion’s share of spoils from the government’s Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. They caution against allocating funds to niche 5G projects and players, arguing it will produce poor returns on taxpayers’ money. Trio advocates MNO-led partnerships as best-suited applicants.
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Network & InfrastructureSafaricom puts 5G on ice
Kenyan operator plans to focus on building its 4G business for now. Safaricom’s previous reliance on Huawei comes under spotlight amid ongoing US trade talks.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom people moves: Capital Partners arm continues to expand
Former executive Jochen Alt named CTO at AI startup Greyparrot. New signings from Huawei and Nokia join T-Mobile Netherlands and T-Mobile US, with Dutch NatCo focusing in on convergence. Digital Alpha’s Aurin Bhattacharjee joins the ever-evolving DTCP.
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Consumer (B2C)Movistar steps up smart-home drive
Longstanding partner and stakeholder CaixaBank namechecked as partner on TV-based payment solution. Group’s smart-home play given potential leg up by pandemic, with expanded Living Apps catalogue.
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InterviewDeutsche Telekom backs GSMA scheme to sort network security headaches
DT CSO Thomas Tschersich is a leading proponent of GSMA and 3GPP scheme. NESAS aims for more secure mobile networks and efficient security testing. Geopolitical climate heightens awareness about the security assurance scheme, and DT exec insists it could be an apolitical solution to concerns.
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Partnerships & AlliancesT-Mobile CZ makes convergence push with CETIN tie-up
NatCo ramps up FTTH rollout with infrastructure-build tie-up. Another convergence add-on for mobile-centric operator.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTech Ventures looks to unlock Alias Robotics’ full potential
Alias becomes tenth addition to new investment vehicle’s portfolio. EC-backed robot “antivirus” solution to be put on show at Bavarian cybersecurity lab. Importance of cybersecurity solutions for autonomous robots illustrated.
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Partnerships & AlliancesT-Mobile MONEY partner banks contract extension
White label banking provider BankMobile flags the success of its T-Mobile partnership as a contract extension is signed and Sprint customers added. Vendor aims to add another “large” partner due in 2021.
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M&ALiberty homes in on Telefónica units in Colombia and Ecuador
Reports suggest that Liberty Latin America is stepping up its acquisition strategy, and could enable Telefónica to tick two more boxes on its regional divestment list.
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M&AVivo shares Oi’s spectrum spoils
In administration operator Oi takes another step towards recovery with divestment of asset trifecta. Mobile assets won by three-strong consortium of Claro, TIM Brasil, and Vivo. Vivo adds to spectrum capacity as well as new customers, while TIM still takes the lion’s share.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Germany CEO Ametsreiter on 5G ramp-up mission
Vodafone Germany ups 5G coverage targets but still lags Telekom. Draft IT Security Act 2.0 under fire from former Head of Cybersecurity at the Ministry of the Interior.
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PremiumAfrica: resilient SA helps Vodacom through crisis
Vodacom continues to perform well despite regulatory and macro pressures across its regional footprint. However, unfavourable currency trends remain fly in the ointment when Group’s results are translated to Vodafone’s P&L. No sign yet that Vodafone management is going cool on its commitment to Africa, despite weaknesses and willingness ...
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M&ABT retreats in Italy as court date looms
TIM snaffles SME and public sector accounts business, but BT maintaining a presence for large enterprises as well as multinationals. Taint of accounting scandal lingers, with former Global executives set for trial in 2021.