Latest tech news – Page 157
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OperationsFour-day weeks and home working at Telefónica
“Avant-garde” union deal writes in provisions for permanent hybrid working for 15,000 employees. Four-day week pilot promised for volunteer employees, with an accompanying drop in pay. 1% salary increase also flagged.
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Products & ServicesVodafone and Celfocus tackle AI-based automation for IoT
Former Vodafone Portugal investment Celfocus has taken on its fourth cognitive automation project for the Group Network Operations (GNO) organisation. Further solutions and use-cases are already being explored to reap benefits of automation throughout the Group.
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Partnerships & AlliancesOpen Telekom Cloud goes full Circle
T-Systems’ infrastructure-as-a-service offering adds Circle partner benefits packages, with spend-based reward tiers. Not a one-way street, says Partner Manager Ulf Mayer, who is looking for commitment from customers.
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom to roll out smart-site kit beyond SA
Mozambique operation set for first dibs, with other international markets to benefit during the next phase of the rollout in FY21–22. Half of Group’s SA base stations now fitted with IoT.nxt tech, with efficiency and energy saving benefits trumpeted.
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PremiumVodafone gets down to business with MEC
Scott Petty: UK needs four to eight multi-access edge compute sites. Vodafone is first in Europe with AWS Wavelength, but early days for services. Next distributed MEC target market will be Germany later in 2021. Vodafone Business blends edge into service portfolio.
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Suppliers & SCMVPC’s Wilson says Tech 2025 bringing clarity
Wilson expects speedier decision-making, faster onboarding of new suppliers, and a stronger drive to standardisation across Group OpCos. Ericsson says it will be “happy” to pass on greater cost efficiencies to Vodafone. Swedish vendor targets African gains on back of tech reorg.
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Partnerships & AlliancesProsegur extends Telefónica tie-up into Colombia
OB distributing security services in three cities, with aim to strengthen customer retention. Telefónica supporting Prosegur’s LatAm expansion plans, with large growth opportunity anticipated. Collaboration now extends beyond Movistar Prosegur Alarmas JV in Spain.
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PremiumVodafone taking NOC automation to the next level
Group says Celfocus-supported CIAS project has now gone live in five Group markets. Former Vodafone Portugal investment is also supporting new project to automate network configuration operations.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: Telefónica Tech Ventures expands into IoT
Telefónica Tech Ventures expands into IoT; roads, manufacturing, and tourism targeted as Group continues to build “smart” business-to-business alliances.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Core Markets: CADE approves Vivo-Claro network-sharing agreement
Network sharing cleared with Claro in Brazil; 5G MVNO nears in Germany; Aviva joins Project Darwin CAV research.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Hispanomérica: Colombia FTTP drive; Telefónica Peru divests Red Digital stake
FTTP investment continues in Colombia; Telefónica exits digital transaction platform in Peru.
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Strategy & ChangeVodacom to unify network and IT functions
Push for efficiencies encompassing rework of network and IT platforms, alongside major skills and capability upgrade. Following 2020 reorg, CEO Joosub concentrating heavily on extracting value and savings out of Group assets and operations. Programme likely to see cloud-based overhaul of Vodacom IT stacks and network functions.
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Public AffairsNI report criticises past public broadband projects
Audit Office report cannot verify that two broadband projects “achieved value for money”. High service take-up rates suggest not all public funding was needed. NI expected to claw back £14m of public funds from BT. Hopes for £165m Project Stratum to deliver better outcome for rural broadband.
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Strategy & Change‘Fearless’ Mehta out to power rapid change at BT
New CDIO committed to radical cultural change, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to embrace the risk of failure. BT’s slow start on digital transformation an opportunity to leapfrog a generation of innovation. Group CEO Jansen’s persuasiveness key to convincing Mehta of BT’s potential as a TechCo.
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Venturing & InvestmentsIterable goes double unicorn with DTCP backing
Customer communications platform player takes $200m in funding, with Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners on the ticket. Medium-term IPO a potential exit route for Group investment arm. Martech continuing to pique interest for DTCP.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom Venturing and Investments roundup
DTCP’s monetary fuel fires up One Store expansion plan; 2017 “strategic” IoT investment offloaded; hubraum targets greater accuracy.
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Network & InfrastructureTelefónica España sticks by Ericsson, Nokia for ‘real’ 5G
Scandinavian duo reportedly selected for 5G SA rollout. No real surprise as Ericsson, Nokia already ensconced in 5G NSA RAN. Spanish government offers sweeteners for rescheduled 700MHz spectrum sale.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Systems Solutions: IFF helps T-Systems to operate critical infrastructure
Research contractor supporting greater energy efficiency at DCs.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in T-Mobile US: TMUS on the prowl for e-health startups
TMUS on the prowl for e-health startups; SyncUP product portfolio expanded; get-go for Hometown grant scheme.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Germany: TDE targets 90% 5G coverage by end-2021
TDE heralds 5G and LTE rollout progress; fibre expansion continues.