Latest Telco News
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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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Venturing & Investments
Wayra levels up with co‑operative gaming investment
Telefónica open innovation hub puts gaming and e‑sports in its investment crosshairs, drawing together fellow venturers for “ up to €2m ” commitments. Fourteen funds participate in this year’s Coinvestment Day .
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Partnerships & Alliances
German startup MOWEA seeks tailwind for Vodafone network tie-up
Startup’s relationship with Vodafone lies in German UPLIFT scheme. Vendor aiming to branch out in Germany and form relationships with other in‑country tower businesses.
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People
Latest Telefónica moves: Oslé named Spain CEO; Almazor heads up Cloud
Newly‑formed Unsere Grüne Glasfaser FTTH joint venture names a handful of team members ahead of anticipated approval. Movistar CEO rotates to lead Telefónica Tech’s Cloud unit, while Sergio Oslé takes the Spain spot. New strategic planning lead at Group‑level.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica wobbles over 2020 finish line, targets stability
Revenue and OIBDA down 11% as COVID‑19 and currency fluctuations hit. Guidance on cash flow just about achieved; stabilisation a focus for 2021. Dividend down 25% as COVID‑19 challenges continue and 5G auctions loom. Infra picking up minority stakes in Group infrastructure; Tech growth solid. ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone 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 ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Deutsche Funkturm CEO says three’s a crowd in Germany
Jacobfeuerborn hints at further expansion abroad as ‘crowded’ home market dims growth prospects. ‘Grey spot’ network-sharing among German MNOs a concern.
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Public Affairs
Openreach strike action goes ahead
Strike underway in row over engineer pay grade restructuring. Industrial action described as a ‘wake‑up call’ for the whole of BT amidst wider unrest.
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Operations
Openreach 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 ...
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M&A
Vodafone 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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People
Latest Vodafone people moves: Italy’s commercial leadership confirmed
Veteran executive departures at the top of India’s Vi. Vodafone Hungary’s Enterprise Business Unit gets a new lead from Apple. Raimondi named Commercial Director in place of now‑Chief Commercial Officer Duilio.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone 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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Innovation (R&D)
Open Future Call I: Telefónica eyes ‘revolutionary’ tech
Open Future hubs across Spain prep for first 2021 intake. Group seeks to highlight role in job creation amid present challenges.
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People
Enterprise CTIO Karonis to exit BT
Former EE technology boss signs off after decade-long stint spanning mobile operator’s 2016 integration into BT. Exit adds to list of executive changes at Enterprise and within BT’s broader tech and innovation functions.
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Network & Infrastructure
Movistar Chile secures 3.5GHz spectrum
Movistar makes highest bid for 5G‑friendly 3.5GHz spectrum amid uncertainty over its future within the Telefónica Group.
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M&A
Telefónica to swap more data centres for Nabiax stake
Four data centres are said to be on the table, with a 20%‑stake in Asterion subsidiary Nabiax the price. Nabiax‑Telefónica JV reportedly in the pipeline to manage the estate.
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Network & Infrastructure
Deutsche Telekom tests 5G SA waters in Germany
Operator sets up antenna site near Munich to gain 5G standalone experience before commercial deployment. Plans afoot to run 5G SA core network in Telekom cloud infrastructure. Nemat views the tech as essential if network slicing and edge computing are to realise their full 5G potential. ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BNetzA reviewing O2’s 4G catch up claim
OB says it made good on main part of 2020 network expansion promise. But BNetzA yet to verify coverage claims. Difficulties hitting coverage targets along transport routes remain.
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Venturing & Investments
YBVR earns extra Wayra investment for XR platform
Extended reality startup raises $1.5m in Pre‑Series‑A round, with Wayra increasing its initial investment. YBVR’s Verizon partnership bolstered. Wayra continues to bet on AR/VR/XR.
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Strategy & Change
As 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.
