Latest Telefónica News – Page 54
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Network & Infrastructure
Liberty Global’s Fries hints at UK fibre consolidation
CEO outlines plan to create a separate ‘light NatCo’ for new fibre JV. Liberty Global and Vodafone at inflection point over VodafoneZiggo. Despite fibre plans, Fries says HFC technology will be around for a long time yet.
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M&A
Vivendi head sees Telefónica–Prisa “synergies” as acquisition rumours continue
Arnaud de Puyfontaine wants strategy alignment with “common vision”. Local reports claim Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez “does not look favourably” on potential Vivendi involvement with Telefónica. Atresmedia also in the frame as part of convoluted acquisition scene in Spain.
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M&A
Former Telefónica business Atento seeks sale — reports
LatAm contact centre operator hires Goldman Sachs to advise on options, with sale on the table, according to Bloomberg. Telefónica partner and former subsidiary sees share price spike on news.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra teams with Iker Casillas on sports tech investment
Telefónica hub enters collaborative venturing partnership with SportBoost targeting sporting innovation. Wayra seeks stake in sports technology future and offers financing, networking, and business development in return.
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People
Telefónica-Allianz fibre JV adds to management team
Unsere Grüne Glasfaser names Jörn Schoof Chief Commercial Officer, set to utilise experience in regional fibre builds. UGG leadership team now filled out.
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Content & TV
Movistar Plus+ lays out international content distribution strategy
Movistar Plus+ Internacional division established to drive original, Spanish-language productions in overseas markets. Buendía Estudios and Sony executive Valenzuela installed to lead the unit. Content partnerships prioritised, with distribution brought closer in-house.
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People
DT, IFM appoint chief exec for fibre JV
Former Etisalat and Telefónica marketing executive appointed to lead DT’s full-fibre side hustle. Appointment made formal after spell working on setup of JV behind scenes.
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Financial & Performance
Movistar Prosegur Alarmas revs customer growth
Telefónica’s home security joint venture partner Prosegur pleased with performance and value created from MPA in Spain. Good start for Telefónica partnership in Colombia, as Prosegur looks to replicate Spanish JV model in Latin America.
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Innovation (R&D)
Telefónica builds up metaverse momentum
Wayra unit seeks metaverse technology startups via Open2metaverse initiative. Spanish developers to get access to hub established in collaboration with Meta. Telefónica appoints Yaiza Rubio Viñuela as Chief Metaverse Officer.
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Products & Services
Telefónica ponders crypto payment integration
Spanish operator will not be a “mere spectator” on Web 3 and cryptocurrencies, with possibility of accepting token-based payments considered. Chief Digital Officer Chema Alonso describes Group “reflections” on potential role of the operator in decentralised technology developments.
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People
Telefónica alumnus tapped for state’s expanded Indra interest
Communications director Sergio Sánchez reportedly added to board at former Telefónica investment Indra Sistemas. News follows a 10% increase in the Spanish government’s shareholding in the company and adds to apparent power struggle in the boardroom.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica’s FY21 comms decrypted: anticipating a new, asset-light dawn
Solid organic performance fuels management confidence in Telefónica’s ability to maintain growth and regain traditional swagger. New Spain and UK FibreCos to round off Group infrastructure monetisation programme. Near-term growth may still be dependent on inorganic activity in Brazil and JV success in UK.
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M&A
Telefónica preps new vehicle for digital M&A in Brazil
Local operating business Vivo indicates it may channel deals through a new platform as it seeks to build out its digital services ecosystem. Move would extend Vivo’s control over M&A and provide an alternative route to Telefónica’s central Wayra and Tech divisions.
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Operations
Vivo to begin sunsetting 2G this year
Brazilian operator says cogs starting to move in convoluted 2019 network-sharing tie-up with rival TIM. Switch to a single shared grid set to move beyond pilot phase, enabling operators to begin re-farming 2G frequencies.
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M&A
Telefónica Tech UK&I hints at more acquisitions
Telefónica Tech to continue UK shopping spree this year. After snapping up Cancom UK&I, division wants to expand cloud and cybersecurity presence in the region.
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Premium
Telefónica Deutschland extends Haas deal
Markus Haas will remain as CEO until the end of 2025, stretching his stay at the company to 24 years across various roles. Telefónica Deutschland cites Haas’ successful execution of “ambitious plans” as key reason behind extension.
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M&A
Nabiax mulling sale of ex-Telefónica data centre bundle
Business set up through Asterion–Telefónica partnership reported to be assessing demand for set of eleven data centres in Americas. Move appears to shift focus of Nabiax, and its commercial tie-up with Telefónica, towards Spain. Centres were picked up in 2019 and 2021, as part of Telefónica’s trimming of Hispam ...
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Venturing & Investments
Zone2boost doubles down on startup investments
Wayra-backed ‘innovation alliance’ adds eight companies to its roster. Total investment now surpasses €1.5m mark.
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Venturing & Investments
Telefónica partner Asterion fills infra fund number two
Investment manager with close links to Telefónica completes set up of a new €1.8bn pot. Five European markets in sights for energy and telecoms opportunities. Madrid-based business has various ex-Telefónica staffers on team and a history of deal-making with Group.
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Products & Services
Movistar to ‘reinforce’ Fusión bundles in defensive play
Spanish operator mulls adding adjacent services such as health and alarms to bundles. High-profile Fusión brand could be dropped.