Latest – Page 212
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Network & InfraT-Mobile US looks to top up kitty amid C-Band feeding frenzy
Operator issues three tranches of Senior Notes. Says C-Band auction “may” have something to do with it, as bidding reaches an eye-watering $80.7bn.
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InnovationBT explores edge to “level up” latency for UK gamers
As BT’s edge strategy evolves, gaming emerges as potential use-case. BT’s Neil McRae shares latest thinking about edge business cases. Consumer edge applications more advanced than enterprise services.
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Network & InfraOpenreach requests COVID vaccine relief
Direct talks between Openreach and government officials confirmed. COVID-19 surge halts operations. Openreach seeks to highlight public importance of connectivity.
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Network & InfraVodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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Products & ServicesDT’s tooz JV surfaces with smart-glasses dev kit
Tools available in China first, Europe and other markets later this year. Product development progress for smart-glasses startup after three years.
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M&ATelefónica seeks suitor with Chile exit in pipeline
Speculative report suggests Group is ready to relinquish interest in a key pillar of its Hispam unit as monetisation plans evolve. Liberty flagged as front runner, although may face regulatory challenges, and other runners and riders not ruled out.
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Suppliers & SCMAltiostar flagged as supplier for Vodafone partner AST SpaceMobile
Vodafone signals plan to integrate SpaceMobile service with Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone offerings initially in DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
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Network & InfraGlasfaser Nordwest brings fibre build in-house
Deutsche Telekom-EWE joint venture launches Glasfaser Nordwest Connect subsidiary to complete the last metres of FTTH builds. Brings formerly outsourced operations in-house, leaving the bulk of the work to “expansion partners”. FTTH network nearing launch in select areas.
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Network & InfraBT Labs leans on AI/ML for RAN revamp
Targets transformation in design and operation of 5G RAN architectures. Envisages shift from cellular-centric to user-centric networks. Aim not simply to reduce costs and handle more traffic, but to unlock new revenue streams through service differentiation.
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Financial & PerformanceVi eyes $2bn cash injection
Reports suggest Vodafone’s Indian joint venture will announce funds from a consortium of investors imminently. Fundraising initiative began in September to ease Vi’s debt burden, with 4G expansion also expected to get a boost.
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M&AT-Mobile ties up another Sprint loose end with Swiftel buy
US NatCo buys Sprint-branded wireless assets operated by Swiftel Communications, leaving Shentel as the last remaining Sprint affiliate.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica in on SEAT’s flagship Spanish e-vehicle plan
Longstanding partner builds-out connected-car alliance with Telefónica. Group lends hand to SEAT’s goal of accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Spain.
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Network & InfraAustralia’s mobile network operators pitch for 5G funding
TPG, Telstra, and Optus angle for lion’s share of spoils from the government’s Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. They caution against allocating funds to niche 5G projects and players, arguing it will produce poor returns on taxpayers’ money. Trio advocates MNO-led partnerships as best-suited applicants.
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Network & InfraSafaricom puts 5G on ice
Kenyan operator plans to focus on building its 4G business for now. Safaricom’s previous reliance on Huawei comes under spotlight amid ongoing US trade talks.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDeutsche Telekom gets wind of energy startup MOWEA
DT taps MOWEA to help meet renewable energy ambitions and challenges of getting power to 5G sites. MOWEA previously tied with Vodafone Germany.
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InnovationBT’s Pelipod stashes smart-locker growth
2016 logistics acquisition reports strong top-line increase but remains loss-making. Investment continuing to focus on development of its IoT-enabled boxes. Report follows mid-2020 takeover by BT’s Procurement department.
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M&AVodafone Albania quietly plans second cableco buy
OpCo looking to add another string to its convergence bow through a takeover of cable TV player ApNet. Takeover another signal of continued Vodafone commitment to Albania despite recent exit rumours and suggestions by Group leadership that more asset sales could be in pipeline.
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InterviewAvidan puts strategy in motion at Deutsche Telekom IoT
Avidan brings entrepreneurial mindset to DT IoT as he seeks to transform the business and meet growth ambitions. Major strategic initiative, IoT Hub, planned for commercial launch in early-2021. Hints are made at “inorganic activities” in future, but current initiatives driven by organic efforts and strategic partnerships.
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Vendor VoiceNutanix: Silicon Valley oblivious to emerging telco renaissance
Nutanix’s Tarkan Maner discusses with Vodafonewatch his take on the evolution of the cloud services sector, and the way in which digital transformation efforts demand a fundamental re-think of the misbalanced relationship between telecoms and technology players. Sector veteran Maner predicts telco fightback in the hyperscaler blind spot of ...
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Consumer (B2C)Movistar steps up smart-home drive
Longstanding partner and stakeholder CaixaBank namechecked as partner on TV-based payment solution. Group’s smart-home play given potential leg up by pandemic, with expanded Living Apps catalogue.