All Legal (compliance, regulatory) articles – Page 13
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Partnerships & AlliancesUK telcos face missing out on Horizon Europe funding
Political brinkmanship between London and Brussels threatens access to €95.5bn R&D pot. UK preps Discovery Fund as alternative, but unlikely to match largesse of Horizon Europe.
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Public Affairs
Phones 4u saga continues with ‘burner’ phone allegation
Former Orange exec Benoit Scheen attempted to arrange untraceable call to collude with Vodafone, according to High Court claim. Illicit text messages uncovered as part of evidence discovery.
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Network & Infrastructure
Colloms: DCMS must “crack on” with reform to back fibre
Openreach MD of Corporate Affairs confident on business’s ability to meet government goals on fibre deployment, but commercial programme will need support to maintain momentum. Physical access to sites potentially a huge obstacle to the rollout in both urban and rural areas, but “common sense” updates to legislation could ...
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Public Affairs
Vodafone Pass reviewed following EU judgement
ECJ goes further than expected by consumer group. VfD may be forced to provide the same terms and conditions through EU. Other European OpCos could be affected.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vivo picks up Brazilian 5G spectrum
Brazilian operator among 15 participating in spectrum bidding. Long-awaited auction includes frequencies across a handful of 5G-friendly bands. Interest from new entrants poses competitive impact questions, with new national MNO now in the mix. Vivo opting for multi-vendor approach to its standalone core.
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People
Telefónica people moves: Group seeks strengthened government relations
Juan Montero takes over public policy and competition remit, with reshuffled reports in support. A direct swap on the Group’s Board sees María Rotondo Urcola fill Sabina Fluxà Thienemann’s shoes. Vivo names a successor for its vacant CIO spot. VM O2 builds out a marketing team to grow its ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Portugal 5G spectrum auction finally ends after 200 days
Vodafone Portugal is second-biggest spender after NOS. Auction ushers in Dixarobil and Nowo as new entrants.
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M&A
Telefónica’s El Salvador sale under review by regulator
$144m deal cannot go ahead without authorisation. SC has 90 business days to reach a decision.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone pursues UK government over lost contract
Vodafone loses Foreign Office contract to Fujitsu, claims process breached procurement rules. Preliminary issue trial set for January 2022.
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Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile locks horns with Dish on CDMA, 12GHz
NatCo begrudgingly extends 3G CDMA network shutdown by three months. Fires criticism at Dish for not taking “responsibility” for migrating customers. Decision comes amid growing tension with satellite TV provider over 12GHz spectrum.
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Strategy & Change
Jansen battle-ready as competition grows on two fronts
BT CEO returns to pre-pandemic promises of a more robust defence of BT’s market position, on price if necessary. Speculation on heightened wholesale competition comes as Openreach Equinox fibre pricing looks set to reinforce the Group’s strong position. Retail threats may be more pressing for the incumbent as Sky ...
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Public Affairs
BT escalates appeal in landline overcharging case
Competition Appeals Tribunal tells BT it has little prospect of success in a call to block US-style class action. Operator will take case to Court of Appeal as it seeks to swap opt-out procedure for an opt-in alternative. The latest update in an ongoing £589m saga amid allegations of ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone takes Ofcom to task over proposed 2100MHz fees
Vodafone warns that rise in licence fees risks being passed onto end users. New annual licence fees for 2100MHz set to come into force from January 2022. Group calculates significantly lower fee compared with Ofcom’s proposal.
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Public Affairs
T-Mobile Czech Republic, O2 seek end to antitrust case
Operators offer concessions to settle EC probe of mobile network-sharing arrangements and avoid fines. The national regulator plans to step in and set mobile wholesale prices. Separately, TMCZ fights the regulator’s order to lower its wholesale prices.
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M&A
Hrvatski Telekom’s Optima offload expected within “days”
Change in Electronic Media Act paves way for transaction with United Group. Regulatory chief “very satisfied” at the prospect of a “third major player” in the fixed market.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Core Markets: Prosegur JV ties with Santander
AMC Networks files arbitration claim against Telefónica in Spain; security JV Movistar Prosegur Alarmas ties with Santander.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Hispanoamérica: regulatory headaches in Argentina & Peru
Regulatory decisions go against Telefónica in Argentina and Peru.
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Public Affairs
Openreach gets Ofcom green light for new FTTP pricing
Cheaper “Equinox” wholesale pricing offer to start on 1 October. Ofcom confirms no action needed on Openreach offer. Fibre altnets strongly opposed and considering next steps.
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Public Affairs
Telekom Deutschland’s regional fibre JV rocked by court ruling
Düsseldorf court backs claims by Vodafone and rival altnet that Deutsche Glasfaser is “hindering competition” in FTTP space. 2019 regulatory clearance overturned. Operations progressing as normal, however.
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Network & Infrastructure
Portugal’s auction pain continues as Spain shines on digital
Sale process now at 178 days and counting. Nick Read continues to sing praises of Spain’s example on digitisation. The CEO again warns that Europe is lagging on 5G and digital infrastructure.
