Latest Strategy News – Page 105
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Financial & PerformanceBudget 2021: BT benefits but won’t move investment dial
Chancellor Sunak eyes investment-backed build-back. Short term tax break to bolster BT infrastructure expansion. However, gains will be “offset in later years”, and no movement on BT’s number one priority — business rates relief.
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PeopleBT’s HR chief admits bumps in Better Workplace plan
Pandemic holds up plan to concertina down to 30 regional hubs, although some movement is expected in 2021. HR Director recognises the need to maintain hybrid working practices even after the pandemic has subsided.
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Network & InfrastructureVivo taps CDPQ for fibre spin out, as KKR invests in Chile
Telefónica|Vivo signs a 50:50 deal with Quebec-based investor to launch FiBrasil. Wholesale fibre provider will expand Vivo’s geographic reach, while the OB focuses on upgrading its existing fixed-network footprint. Long-heralded $1bn Chilean InfraCo plans culminate with KKR taking 60% stake.
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Network & InfrastructureMagyar Telekom CEO rules out tower tie-ups
Tibor Rékasi anticipates no strategic activity in the “near future”. 5G coverage target met in Budapest.
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Strategy & ChangeOTE: Romanian mobile remnant not on market, yet
Long subject of sale speculation, TRMC to focus on organic turnaround for now.
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OperationsOTE hails completion of organisational revamp
Extraction of field and customer ops wrapped up as OTE seeks to bolster efficiency following challenging FY20. Early retirement programme continues to deliver savings.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced gets hiring
New procurement team hiring; revamp of Plymouth office by 2022; BT hoping to go greener through PPAs.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Openreach: ADTRAN switched on
ADTRAN kit up and running; Ofcom Connected Nations report shows full-fibre progress; Gigabit Vouchers start showing worth.
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Network & InfrastructureDT moves goalposts on German infrastructure mega-projects
Headline FTTH and cell site expansion roadmaps reworked. COVID-19 disruption, regulatory barriers, and bad weather cited as contributors. First signs emerge of the Group’s new, pandemic-influenced medium-term planning, due to be laid out later in 2021.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica wobbles over 2020 finish line, targets stability
Revenue and OIBDA drop 11% as double-whammy of COVID-19 and currency fluctuations hit. Guidance on cash flow just about achieved, while FY21 focus will be on stabilisation. Dividend reduced by 25% as COVID-19 challenges continue, and 5G auctions loom. Telefónica Infra picking up minority stakes in Group infrastructure as ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone NZ pivots to improve post-sale performance
Former Vodafone OpCo jumps on CX/digital transformation train in a big way, in bid to raise profitability. Quadruple IT stack legacy of time in Vodafone Group one area of inefficiency to be removed. Two of top team shuffled out amid commercial reset, including long-time Vodafone exec Antony Welton.
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InterviewOpenreach pushes ahead in journey to agile
CTIO Colin Lees discusses three-year transformation project across IT, network, and processes to support FTTP rollout. Independent Openreach Technology division treads in parent’s tech footsteps. Adopts agile development where it can and organises into Tribes and Squads. Data strategy seeks “single source of truth”. Takes pragmatic approach to cloud ...
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M&AVodafone readies cheque for Egyptian fintech players
Vodafone Egypt signs MoU for minority stakes in digital payment players Bee and Masary. New Vodafone Egypt CEO Abdallah seeks to paint deal as part of “promising” strategic investment plan, following Group’s failed exit.
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone CZ confirms strategic talks with ČEZ
Czech OpCo declines to divulge what the talks are about, after a local news report suggests a possible sale of the business is on the table.
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Strategy & ChangeAs past nightmares recede, BT’s Jansen eyes health sector growth
Jansen optimistic on prospect of digital solutions reviving BT fortunes with the NHS. BT recruiting to support its NHS win back activity, as hundreds of millions of pounds are made available for health service IT upgrades, with increased focus on security.
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M&ALiberty CEO puts two-year timeframe on VodafoneZiggo IPO
Fries cautiously tells analysts to watch out for some “activity” at its Dutch JV in the next 24 months. VodafoneZiggo burnishes its IPO credentials with target-busting financials for FY20.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica targets SMEs in Spain’s digital recovery plan
Government pours billions into SME digitalisation programme. Telefónica marshals SME portfolio.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica Global Solutions looks to trim headcount
Recently bundled wholesale services unit will offer incentivised early retirement to its over-53s, as part of ongoing contract suspension scheme.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica closer to firming up commercial reset
New model seen as necessary for digital services era, encompassing changes around skills, incentives, and flexibility. ‘Commercial careers’ agreement has been a long time coming, but unions say more still needs to be done.
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Strategy & ChangeÁlvarez-Pallete gets political as challenges grow
Quiet support for a boardroom coup at Prisa indicates Telefónica’s political muscles as business priorities coincide with larger social challenges. Telefónica supporting government recovery goals, but lobbying for a more favourable investment environment as 5G auction looms. Group emphasising its Europe role as Latin America retreat sees grumbling.