Latest Regional News – Page 91
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra 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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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom Tanzania targets rural areas with fibre investment
TZS 25bn investment secures use of government-owned fibre infrastructure. State wants 80% population coverage by 2025. OpCo aims to offer increased access to healthcare, education and “financial inclusion”.
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Venturing & Investments
Telefónica 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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M&A
Oi sale completed following two-year wait
Consortium featuring Telefónica|Vivo, América Móvil’s Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil concludes BRL 14.5bn deal for Brazilian operator’s mobile assets. Move will bring a “new infrastructural balance” to the market. Initial interest was mooted in March 2020, with Oi having filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Telefónica|Vivo to net 12.5 million ...
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Public Affairs
Ukrainian networks restored as Vodafone redoubles war efforts
Chernihiv and Kyiv networks back online as Vodafone Ukraine engineers continue work to ensure communications for citizens. Relief effort supported by Vodafone customer donations.
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Network & Infrastructure
“A serious tragedy”: Vodacom begins repairs following SA floods
KwaZulu-Natal flooding declared an emergency with more than 300 dead. Vodacom cites ‘social contract’ in ZAR 3m relief donation. Operators begin network restoration, with power outages a core issue after backup batteries washed out.
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EU backlash over BT nod to manage TESTA
EU-headquartered telcos reportedly up in arms over Commission’s preference for BT to manage pan-European backbone network for exchange of sensitive data. EC suspends signature of £1bn TESTA framework contract pending review of concerns raised.
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Public Affairs
TMUS ‘lost $200,000’ attempting to buy back leaked data
Reports say it’s unclear whether or not the US NatCo was aware of payments made to cybercriminals. Last year’s data breach affected nearly 55 million users.
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Strategy & Change
DT’s Greek epic: 50% OTE ownership marker in sight
DT’s stake in Greek incumbent continues to inch upwards. Albeit recently a passive development, driven by OTE corporate treasury activity, the development chimes with numerous recent signals by Group management of its commitment to Greece and willingness to raise investment. DT’s third largest market.
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Operations
Vivo 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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EE to use spectrum aggregation for 5G network rollout
Operator taps Qualcomm for ‘Europe’s first’ aggregated spectrum 5G network. Set to roll out in major cities within a year, but take-up of compatible devices remains low.
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Deutsche Telekom people moves: Appel takes chairmanship
New Chairman Appel confirmed despite shareholder criticisms. Europe’s Leroy completes management team with B2B Growth appointment. Magenta TV boss Schuld leaves the Group, with interim replacement in line. Makedonski Telekom’s CTIO Jovanović exits.
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Partnerships & Alliances
M-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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Operations
Cost-cutter and digitiser _VOIS: Vodafone’s agent of change lands in three new Local Markets
Vodafone Intelligent Solutions said to have created new bases in Albania, Turkey, and the UK. Group’s long-term centralisation efforts netted over €1.2bn in savings in the three years to March 2021.
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Operations
TPG cleared to separate wholesale and retail operations
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission greenlights ‘joint functional separation’ of the subsidiaries from 7 October 2022. Regulator believes the move will enhance competition in both segments. TPG is looking to create a new fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) wholesale business.
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Elsewhere in T-Mobile US: Metro stores launch new broadband offering
TMUS continues experiments with cell tower battery alternatives.
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Telefónica sets vision for rural connectivity
Internet para Todos joint venture inspires regional, rural manifesto. Proposed changes include calls for regulatory change and investment incentives. Lessons learnt in neighbouring markets implemented in IpT’s Peru home.
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Elsewhere in Telefónica Hispanoamérica: Eco Rating Scheme introduced across markets
Eco Rating system extended to Hispam; Chile preparing for 5G auction; FTTP rival Mundo acquired by DigitalBridge.
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Network & Infrastructure
Liberty CTO sees VM O2 fibre cost advantage
Rodriguez bullish on a cost-effective transition to fibre in the UK market, confounding the consensus view. However, other Liberty ventures may see a longer and more costly migration. Liberty embracing an all-IP environment as a chance to make the most of network capacity while delivering bundled offerings. Perils of ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
UiPath 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.