All Legal (compliance, regulatory) articles
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Portugal threatens to boycott 5G auction
Objections to auction terms favouring new entrant. Complaints escalated to Brussels, and R D centre plans reconsidered.
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Suppliers & SCM
Brexit and COVID: BT’s twin supply chain headaches
Group continuing to scrutinise status of 450 key partners, amid logistical and financial turmoil wrought by pandemic. Spread of critical partners under consideration to create greater resilience post- coronavirus and split from EU. Telcos, traditionally known for squeezing suppliers to the max, now focused on keeping ...
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Public Affairs
TalkTalk takes pot shot at Openreach FTTP pricing
CEO calls for longer-term, discounted full‑fibre wholesale deals. Harrison claims BT’s alleged fears of breaching UK competition rules is “ red herring ”, while incumbent maintains it needs to appease all stakeholders.
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Public Affairs
Read rails against states flouting EU law
Group CEO used a sponsored posting on the Politico website to demand, once again, a level playing field for Europe’s telecoms players, while bemoaning steps taken by several EU governments to sidestep European competition legislation . Article does not suggest Read’s bid for a reset of regulatory ...
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Network & Infrastructure
BT’s Nokia pick points to renewed virtualisation drive
Nokia to become 5G infrastructure top dog as Huawei fades. Virtualisation opportunities abound as BT and Nokia commit to expanding open RAN ecosystem, and imminent developments on the network edge are anticipated.
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M&A
Airtel–Telkom merger falls through
Let-off for Safaricom as its two major mobile competitors remain marooned in sub-scale no-mans-land.
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Public Affairs
Deutsche Telekom: reports of China 5G scheme are nonsense
Group dismisses claims of a plan to scale up its Chinese presence off back of geopolitical manoeuvres. Government’s decision on 5G network suppliers could be imminent.
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Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany launches 5G as Merkel looks to quash Huawei ban
Likening the launch to German reunification, O2 is delivering 5G in five cities from October on €40‑per‑month tariffs. NSA launch paving way for more ambitious plans. Media reports suggest Chancellor Angela Merkel will not ban O2 5G partner Huawei, although political resistance remains, and O2 is readying ...
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People
Former BT exec Hanif Lalani stripped of OBE
Lalani’s last BT role was CEO of BT Global Services. He was fined €1.5m by France’s stock market watchdog in 2012.
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M&A
Fries and Álvarez-Pallete: two minds on UK JV
While Telefónica and Liberty said to be on same page on O2–Virgin Media integration, respective chiefs hinted at varying concerns and strategic priorities linked to the progress of the JV.
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Public Affairs
Vodacom’s Congo CFO gets out of jail
Chutoo endures four-day stint behind bars. CFO reportedly quizzed on allegations of “ forgery ” and “ falsification of financial statements ”; but no formal charges. Vodacom DRC expresses surprise.
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Public Affairs
Anatel revives fines-for-investment swaps
Brazilian regulator finally agrees first Conduct Adjustment Agreement with TIM, enabling operators to swap fines for investment commitments.
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M&A
Vivo and co. secure stalking horse status on Oi
As the collective preferred buyer, Vivo, TIM, and Claro are confident they are in a position to outbid any rival interest in Oi’s mobile business. With a €2.6bn offer on the table, Vivo is highlighting the boost in investment in ultrafast networks that would be enabled by Oi’s ...
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People
BT strips directorships from treasurer on murder charge
Quick changes made to company officers for major BT holding companies in the wake of Treasury Manager’s widely reported arrest . Review of Winnister’s responsibilities highlights complexity of BT’s many tiers of subsidiaries, and echoes of losses past still reverberating .
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Network & Infrastructure
Huawei woes add to Vodafone Idea pressure
JV forced to consider other options for 5G network. India looks set to tacitly ban use of Chinese equipment. New fundraising efforts on the horizon following AGR decision.
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Partnerships & Alliances
O2 Germany still waiting on cable delivery
VfD yet to follow through with commitments made to secure Unitymedia acquisition, while rivals maintain objections to the deal.
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M&A
Vodafone Egypt sale reaches impasse; adverse event or powerplay?
Vodafone and stc ‘keep the dialogue open’ as MoU expires. Telecom Egypt denies it has a role in enabling deal, but Vodafone’s dysfunctional local partnership appears to be complicating matters again.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in T-Mobile US: TMUS looks to puchase Shenandoah; Test Drive initiative gets a bump
TMUS expands customer acquisition campaign but customer rewards go awry; static continues between operators and FCC over data coverage claims.
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Strategy & Change
Höttges goes on Huawei defensive
DT gambles on Germany taking neutral stance on Chinese supplier. High hopes open RAN will help diversify the ecosystem, but systems not ready yet.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Germany: Telekom Deutschland meets BNetzA broadband target
Elsewhere in Germany Source: Kostya Golinchenko / Unsplash Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency/BNetzA) confirmed that Telekom Deutschland (TDE) had met an interim target of providing 50Mbps mobile broadband speeds across 97% of Germany, by population, ahead of a 30 September 2020 deadline imposed ...
