Latest – Page 295
-
Innovation (R&D)
5G Create: UK MNOs left with bit parts
Another nine projects added to the state-backed funding call. BT/EE, O2, and Three support AR, broadcasting, and logistics use-cases. Emerging players take lead roles.
-
M&A
Rumours of Vodafone tie-up with MÁSMÓVIL resurface
But MÁSMÓVIL not necessarily the prey. Renewed media speculation that Spain’s fourth largest operator might acquire Vodafone Spain. Report from Banco Santander says MÁSMÓVIL, under new private equity owners, has the necessary financial clout to pull it off.
-
M&A
Oi firms up mobile deal, Vivo reinforces its market lead
Oi finalises mobile asset sale to three-strong consortium of Claro, TIM Brasil, and Vivo. Oi CFO: regulatory approval expected within the year. Trifecta of assets now divested by in-administration Oi as it seeks route to recovery via fibre.
-
Venturing & Investments
Two Movistar Money ventures set for take-off
Consumer finance business green-lighted for launch in Colombia, enabling Group to extend partnership with stakeholder BBVA. Telco also heading trials of similar personal loan service in Mexico, with Banco Sabadell on the scene. Both moves continue recent refresh of Telefónica’s financial services partnerships.
-
-
Venturing & Investments
Telefónica, Vodafone-backed Loon discontinued
Venture falls foul of harsh winds of reality, failing to reach commercial viability.
-
Network & Infrastructure
O2 UK battles for 5G leadership
O2 UK flags 5G coverage expansion, matching rivals by some metrics. Apparent rollout successes come ahead of further delayed UK spectrum auction, now pushed back to March. 5G Create partnership indicates continued innovation effort.
-
Premium
giffgaff embraces AWS public cloud
Telefónica UK’s sub-brand MVNO goes “all-in on AWS”. Move accelerates product development. Years-long effort required changes in processes and skills.
-
Premium
Telefónica agrees to monetise Cornerstone
Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Uncertain how Group’s top brass will proceed, but partial or full sale seems likely.
-
Premium
O2 and Sky test 5G broadcast in live sport event
5G smartphones capture handball Bundesliga action for Sky’s live broadcast.
-
Premium
Canonical and Netcracker flag new Vivo contracts
CIO Kriger reveals progress with key IT projects Fusión and Pandora as part of ongoing work to upgrade Telefónica|Vivo’s systems.
-
Premium
O2 gets in on “grey spot” action with DT and Vodafone
O2 boasts of bilateral site sharing agreements with its rivals that are expected to expand 4G coverage to hundreds of previously underserved rural locations. Agreement reached as German watchdog only approves existing DT and Vodafone grey spot partnership on condition that O2 is brought into the fold.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: ElevenPaths banks growth in Spain
Telefónica Tech’s IoT & Big Data unit tags contract extensions, while ElevenPaths expands its Spanish order book.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica joins European peers in open RAN push
Signs MoU with Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone. Aim is to generate greater economies of scale for smaller suppliers through common procurement parameters. Lobbying European governments for open RAN funding high on the agenda. Telefónica makes open RAN advances in Germany, UK.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Amdocs continues LatAm transformation
System services provider Amdocs further extended its Movistar Chile partnership to cover wireline and wireless services, mirroring Brazilian precedent set in 2019. eSIM management platform added on top.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Hispanoamérica: Peru penalties laid bare
Telefónica Peru remains on naughty step. Play axed from Telefónica Mexico’s content offering.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Telefónica’s Core Markets: O2 commits to roaming
Regulation relaxed in Spain. O2 commits to roaming. Vivo signs renewables deal.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Group: dev facilities in Catalonia
Support for Spanish as an AI language, research on IoT for agriculture, and applications of technology for social causes explored.
-
People
Serrahima on the up as Telefónica targets multi brand
As Telefónica aims to make customer experience a key differentiator in its domestic market, Pedro Serrahima, the executive behind O2’s Spanish launch takes charge of the drive. Marisa Urquía also promoted to oversee transformation projects as Executive Chairman Gayo slims down the executive committee.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Cosmote works Ericsson ties for campus network debut
Greek operator enables first 5G campus network, focused on smart-manufacturing. Project sees Ericsson further expand 5G reach within DT. PTC and Gizelis Robotics among solution partners.