Latest – Page 235
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Carrier Services settles with ClearX on data delivery
Group’s international connectivity unit aligns with Israeli blockchain firm to “streamline” delivery of data services. Colt Technology Services and PCCW Global part of “pioneering” work. ClearX expects data services platform to go live Q1 2022.
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Elsewhere in Openreach: Ofcom lays down the law
Copper exchange stop-sell progress; Ofcom lays down USO law.
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H1 FY21–22: Openreach enters fibre build phase two
Lonely position as sole BT unit posting positive results for the half year. CEO Clive Selley confident of future return on investment: FTTP rollout moving ahead of expectations; uptake supported by Equinox pricing deal and growing consumer demand.
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M&A
Spain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.
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Operations
Jansen hopes to get BT on front foot with new HQ
BT’s new HQ opens after more than a year of delays. Jansen aims to remove “hierarchical” business format.
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M&A
Reliance denies interest in acquiring BT stake
BT share price jumps on report that Indian conglomerate eyeing a move for UK incumbent. Reliance quick to dismiss the article as “completely speculative and baseless”, but City still excited.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica adds €750m to growing sustainable bond bank
Group takes total financing raised through sustainability-linked bonds to €3.25bn over two years. Funds ringfenced for legacy network upgrades and rural connectivity builds in Germany, Spain, and (potentially) Brazil.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom secures provisional spectrum as auction wait goes on
ICASA manages to fend off further litigation with new interim spectrum allocations. WOAN licensing timetable is put on hold until next year. Auction now scheduled for March 2022.
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Vodafone, Telefónica launch fixed-broadband TIP group
Operators co-chair new TIP project group targeting FTTP access technologies. Vodafone cementing leadership at TIP.
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Vodafone joins European telco call for open RAN help
Group signs off on Analysys Mason report recommending that European policymakers financially stimulate the region’s open RAN ecosystem. Report also backed by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia, and Telefónica. Wibergh says “Europe needs to urgently prioritise open RAN” to avoid slipping further behind Asia and USA.
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BT targets financial services with Cloud Control
BT’s Cloud Control for Financial Services aims to help firms take a ‘controlled approach’ to adopting cloud. Move builds on company’s pre-existing partnerships with public cloud providers.
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Vodafone extends VMware Telco Cloud to 5G SA
Aims to accelerate delivery of “new digital services” across Vodafone’s European footprint. Builds on Vodafone’s previous selection of VMware Telco Cloud infrastructure as its NFV platform.
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H1 FY21–22: Jansen trusts BT Global plan, despite setbacks
CEO focuses on the strategy, rather than current performance, to paint a picture of a viable future for the MNC-focused digital solutions unit. NPS remains a bright spot for Global, highlighting material gains from the BT transformation plan. Declining margins suggest work still to be done on recovery.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT renews Middle Eastern partnerships
Long-running R&D tie-up gets extended, with BT’s engagement with Etisalat and Khalifa University stretching a further five years. BT Applied Research MD Tim Whitley among those involved.
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Vodafone H1 FY21–22 guidance: on-point numbers prompt upward correction
Group gains confidence from “in line” H1 numbers to raise floors on earnings and cash flow.
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Vodafone H1 FY21–22 spend: capex boost falls silent, opex squeeze paused
Presentation sees no further update on (somewhat contentious) Group plans for a capex lift to fuel digital services growth. Executives moot another exceptional investment boost in Germany, for fibre rollout. Group Finance’s headline opex reduction programme comes to a temporary halt, amid pandemic effects.
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Q2 FY21–22 Headlines: Vodafone growth maintained despite B2B, Spain bumps
Group benefits as COVID-19 drag steadily eases. On positive side, forward movement maintained in Germany and UK, and picture improves in super-competitive Italy. Blotches include an apparent step back in growth at Vodafone Business, despite its star billing, and a return to reverse gear in perennially challenging Spain.
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Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: Shuter boasts RNLI collab
BT recognised for managed services improvements; Shuter boasts of RNLI partnership.
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Q2 FY21–22: Vodafone's Read hypes prospects as M&A talk hots up
Leadership especially bullish on “momentum” and “sustainable growth” after solid Q2 data. Wave of M&A possibilities surround Vodafone only a few months after Group declared portfolio reshaping complete. Report sees Group maintain growth, but with mix of performances across businesses and a glitch on cost-saving progress. Guidance floors raised ...
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Ofcom seeks to protect BT public phone boxes
Regulator estimates that 6,000 BT kiosks have been converted under Adopt a Kiosk scheme. Stricter rules could protect about 5,000 phone boxes. Ofcom proposes other changes to USO including fax support and directories.