Latest Telco News
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT looks to the future with German ‘fiberisation’
Group’s Dido Blankenburg sees connecting homes as the next big debate. BNetzA highlights need for lighter fibre regulation and cooperation among market players.
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Operations
Vodafone Spain staff set for more redundancies
Challenged Spanish OpCo initiates plan to remove another 500‑plus people from its headcount. Another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation‑led efficiency plans.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT ties with Sweden’s Skydome on emergency response
VR leveraged by embryonic Skydome for incident monitoring purposes. Startup’s R&D partners include Intel. Potential for deployment at BT’s network of smart ports.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra UK sets up fundraising support initiative
UK incubator leans on expertise of outside consultancy to launch Wayraise scheme. Mountside helping ensure Wayra businesses are “investor-ready” and works to facilitate greater flow of VC into startup ecosystem.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone CEO disses DSS
Nick Read flags “performance degradation” when using DSS in blended environment of 4G and 5G. Not clear if all vendors equally guilty in Read’s eyes. Ericsson’s proprietary Ericsson Spectrum Sharing solution used in key Vodafone markets, including Germany and UK. Vendor emphatically denies there is any meaningful performance dip ...
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People
BT Sourced adds transformation lead
Former Allianz buying head appointed Director, Procurement Transformation.
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M&A
Telefónica joins Liberty in move towards UK tower sale
Goldman Sachs reportedly handed reins to examine prospective Cornerstone share sale.
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People
Latest DT people moves: CEOs and CTIOs named in central and eastern Europe
A host of changes at DT’s European NatCos include two new CEOs and two new CTIOs, and a reworked Commercial division. Finance lead swaps at T‑Systems Alpine. Group venturing unit DTCP targets portfolio partnerships growth.
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Network & Infrastructure
Nokia resumes O-RAN Alliance activity
Group revises procedures to alleviate concerns over US export rules. Deutsche Telekom is “fully committed” to the Alliance. USA considering clarifications for standards organisations.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica on edge as rambunctious Peru government beds in
Reports highlight fears that multinationals in Peru may face tougher opposition in trading and taxation disputes as the new Peruvian administration develops its strategy under a strongly left‑leaning President. Risks the future of a local Telefónica InfraCo; could face complications in a challenging political climate.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT quantum-secures hollow core fibre in trial
QKD hook‑up with Lumenisity HCF pitched as world first. Lord says trial “accelerates the UK’s lead in quantum technologies”. Widespread HCF deployment still some way off, however.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions ties with AWS for DevOps focus
New taskforce to adopt agile working methods with AWS engineering support. First project will focus on AI‑based customer assistance solution from November.
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M&A
OTE takes full ownership of Romanian mobile business
OTE’s near-100% absorption of mobile business a regulatory prerequisite for sale of its fixed sibling to Orange. Telekom Romania’s 30% holding given €59m price tag. Previously the subject of sale speculation, TRMC now fully focused on organic growth, with new Bucharest headquarters portrayed as “fresh start”.
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Products & Services
Govertis added to Telefónica’s Peru line‑up
Cyber consultancy and Telefónica acquisition bolsters Telefónica Tech Peru portfolio. Movistar Empresas to offer compliance and risk services.
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Partnerships & Alliances
SoftBank: New DT tie-up not a threat to longstanding Vodafone partnership
Japanese telco claims structural separation between strategic agreements with two European majors. Vodafone quiet on the tie-up’s future.
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Innovation (R&D)
DT: Open RAN not there yet, but developing fast
Deutsche Telekom’s view on open RAN state of play. Mixed bag: encouraging pace of development, but complexity reigns. Programmability capability is two to three years away. “Must have” automation needed to tackle integration challenge.
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Strategy & Change
Evans elevated to lead Telefónica’s digital strategy
Former O2 UK CEO takes a step up the Group management ladder after missing out on role as head of merged UK JV. Potential for pivotal digital double act with Chema Alonso bringing innovation expertise to be harnessed by Evans’ commercial nous. Navarro remains as key adviser to Chairman, ...
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M&A
T‑Systems offloads South African remnant
Deutsche Telekom’s enterprise unit wraps up SA exit after selling training and development provider. Continuation of T-Systems slimming drive
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People
New MD appointed at Deutsche Telekom Pan‑Net
Jana Kvoriakova named Managing Director at Deutsche Telekom’s cloud infrastructure unit. She replaces Stefan Schnitter, who moves to T‑Systems consultancy Detecon.
