All Legal (compliance, regulatory) articles
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M&AVodafoneThree networks chief: merger remedies more ‘asset’ than ‘burden’
Chief Network Officer Andrea Donà has framed strict regulatory remedies as an “engineer’s paradise” as the UK operator sets about its £7bn network integration programme.
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Public AffairsDutch watchdog blocks Glaspoort’s proposed DELTA Fiber asset buy
Dutch competition authority draws a line in the sand after investigating whether deal adds to its concerns over KPN “bead stringing” to expand its fibre footprint. KPN questions whether response to “relatively small transaction” is warranted …
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M&AOrange takes big steps forward on French, Spanish M&A
Orange has advanced its European M&A agenda, completing the full acquisition of MásOrange in Spain and moving forward a complex three-way deal to dismantle SFR in France. The competitive dynamics of both markets are being reshaped…
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M&AFrench telco trio finally secures €20.35bn deal to buy rival SFR
Following weeks of complex negotiations, Bouygues Telecom, Iliad, and Orange make a final push over the weekend and wrap up an agreement with SFR owner Altice France.
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M&Anexfibre’s Datta: ‘corner shop fibre’ is dead, the UK needs an infra megamart
Interview: proposed £2bn acquisition of Netomnia is sparking fierce debate across the UK broadband sector. With industry heavyweights trading blows over duopoly fears and infrastructure overlap, discover why CEO Rajiv Datta believes this consolidation is crucial to challenging Openreach.
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Network & InfraViasat sees inflight comms ties with DT as ticket to EC spectrum extension
Satco’s CEO suggests European Aviation Network clientele and partnerships could back up its bid to retain expiring 2GHz spectrum rights in region, as European Commission prepares sovereignty-flavoured contest. Inflight broadband platform could be modernised if frequencies are secured, Viasat suggests.
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Public AffairsDT strikes ‘balanced’ wage deal with trade union
Operator says new collective bargaining agreement with German union reps still leaves enough in the Group pot for network investment, despite acquiescence to wage rises and protection from dismissal for certain employees. HR chief Birgit Bohle describes deal as “balanced”, after DT execs have indicated previous framework was “too generous”…
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Partnerships & AlliancesSpain: Telefónica lands role as Google Cloud’s compliance lookout
Telefónica becomes “trusted sovereignty partner” for Google Cloud in Spain, with plans to ensure the hyperscaler remains compliant with Spanish data sovereignty requirements. Partnership builds on existing relationship in other technological areas…
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OperationsDT and ISS ‘move on’ after settling €80m outsourcing row
DT irons out differences with facilities management supplier ISS, agreeing to settle multi-year dispute and sign up for a contract extension.
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Network & InfraGerman low-band spectrum dispute: BNetzA proposes cash compensation for 1&1
Dispute enters a new phase as regulators propose compensation for 1&1 instead of forcing rival operators to share frequencies. Also, updates on 1&1’s 5G open RAN build (slow but steady) and financial outlook…
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Financial & PerformanceLeading by example: Vodafone CEO frames UK integration as blueprint for future market evolution
FY25–26: Margherita Della Valle pitches the instant impact of the VodafoneThree merger as a driver for UK growth, improved financial performance, and a route to win in a tough competitive environment — but a muted end to FY25–26 tempers optimism, as pre-merger headaches persist.
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Financial & PerformanceSafaricom Ethiopia moves ‘from startup to scale’ with breakeven in touching distance
Ethiopian operator is entering its scale-up phase, with rapid revenue growth, losses falling, and investment slowing to put EBITDA breakeven within sights…
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Network & InfraWill the FCC be forced to decide whether satellite counts toward spectrum buildout?
Satellite operators’ multi-billion dollar push to acquire wider airwave access, and a planned rights swap by T-Mobile, are creating question marks over the consistency and longevity of the FCC’s current spectrum policy framework.
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Partnerships & AlliancesProximus, Telenet firm up Belgian fibre-sharing pact
Belgian duo firm up long-awaited fibre collaboration to help accelerate rollout while dodging overbuild. Deal marks milestone in national telcos’ work to strengthen the country’s lagging FTTP coverage relative to European neighbours…
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Financial & PerformanceVi secures government dues breather as attention turns to infra investment
Vodafone-backed Indian operator confirms AGR liabilities slashed by a quarter to ease debt burden and offer some relief for the challenged MNO as it invests in significant 4G/5G expansion.
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Strategy & ChangeBT: UK’s regulatory ‘Wild West’ presents barrier to sovereignty investment
FutureNet World: Business CTO Colin Bannon makes rare call for greater regulation to remove sovereign platform investment barriers and warns that end-to-end technical sovereignty is unrealistic and misguided.
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InterviewChelot: wholesale scale is ‘mission impossible’ without nexfibre-Netomnia deal
Interview: “I have a wholesale platform, but I have no wholesale customers”. Jeremy Chelot’s Netomnia hit a structural ceiling, with bowing out the only way to progress the Openreach challenge. Firing back at nexfibre deal critics, he asks for alternatives to his Plan B, deeming consolidation the best route and reflecting on the challenge of leading a business through a sale.
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M&AOrange’s Heydemann is confident on new SFR takeover bid
CEO of French incumbent is hoping for a positive response to its second bid for assets from distressed rival SFR, alongside Bouygues and Iliad. As well as dangling a higher, €20bn+ offer in front of seller Altice, she notes a change to the deal’s structure would help the French trio mitigate some execution risk. She also remains confident of the case for consolidation.
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Strategy & ChangeDeutsche Telekom said to explore T-Mobile mega-meld
Group’s leadership said to be weighing a full combination between it and its American powerhouse, thus sorting out current disconnects that could complicate future deal-making and strategy. Shepherding any such deal through the corridors of Washington, Berlin, and Brussels would be highly challenging, however.
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M&AOrange gets Spanish green light to absorb MásOrange
Spanish government said to follow EC in allowing Orange to absorb local joint venture, ahead of June target for completion. Move sees French operator clear another barrier to consolidation of Spanish telco major and realisation of accompanying ambitions for growth.