Michelle Donegan
Michelle Donegan is an experienced telecoms writer and has been contributing as a reporter and news analyst for TelcoTitans since July 2020.
Contact info
Network & InfrastructureNokia resumes O-RAN Alliance activity
Group revises procedures to alleviate concerns over US export rules. Deutsche Telekom is “fully committed” to the Alliance. USA considering clarifications for standards organisations.
- Innovation (R&D)
DT: Open RAN not there yet, but developing fast
Deutsche Telekom’s view on open RAN state of play. Mixed bag: encouraging pace of development, but complexity reigns. Programmability capability is two to three years away. “Must have” automation needed to tackle integration challenge.
- Partnerships & Alliances
DT and SK Telecom’s Techmaker JV readies Q4 launch
5G in-building tech developed by SK Telecom and adapted for Europe. Product available first in Germany, then offered to other European telcos. JV eyes next steps, spies AR/VR developments for 5G.
- Strategy & Change
Ethiopian mobile: Tigray overshadows Safaricom-Voda market entry
Escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis spreads in northern region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed criticised for Tigray response, but undeterred on reform agenda and courting private investment. What is Safaricom-led OpCo getting into? Unrest brews challenging conditions, as US sanctions threaten OpCo funding. Vodafone keeps a low profile in Ethiopian ...
- People
Vodafone TV product boss heads to partner Kaltura
From customer to supplier, Miguel Rodrigues leaves Vodafone for Kaltura. Vendor on a roll after recent IPO.
- Venturing & Investments
Wayra-backed Optimus Price exceeds crowdfunding target
AI retail startup raises more than €450,000 on CrowdCube. Optimus Price adds to Wayra’s retail tech activity.
- Enterprise (B2B)
Movistar Empresas joins IBM’s telco cloud club
Telefónica Colombia explores edge solutions for businesses with IBM’s Cloud for Telecommunications. New dimension for IBM’s cloud engagements with Telefónica Group.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vivo automates order management with Netcracker
Next phase in Vivo’s business system transformation.
- Public Affairs
T‑Mobile US confirms loss of customer data in new breach
Initial findings reveal nearly 49 million people are affected. Incident appears to be sixth data breach in four years.
- Strategy & Change
From Bonn to Bellevue: DT CEO Höttges visits TMUS HQ
In a break from virtual meetings, TMUS CEO Mike Sievert hosts Höttges. Much to discuss between parent and NatCo, but talks were said to focus on innovation and serving consumers and businesses. No signs yet of TMUS and DT collaboration on trans-Atlantic B2B. Are Sprint International assets part of ...
- Partnerships & Alliances
DT adds RingCentral to video collaboration portfolio
Telekom Deutschland offers more video options for businesses. Expanded portfolio includes Cisco, Microsoft, RingCentral, and Zoom.
- Strategy & Change
T‑Mobile US pushes ahead with mobile ad-tech plans
Magenta Marketing Platform bundles mobile network data, but not location data, for advertisers to reach targeted audiences.
- Strategy & Change
Hrvatski Telekom set to offload Optima stake
United Group to acquire majority stake in Optima, advancing converged services challenge to HT. Completion expected by end‑2021, but deal requires regulatory approvals and changes to the law. Firming-up of agreement would free HT from strange management arrangement.
- Innovation (R&D)
BT explores metamaterials for future networks
Researchers delve into new materials for smarter, greener wireless tech. Metasurfaces applied for better signal propagation and performance. Operator planning to increase investment in materials R&D.
- Products & Services
Movistar+ sets stage for aggregator play in Spain
New CEO Cristina Burzako restructures and refocuses strategy. Focus tightening on partnerships and customer experience, but original content and exclusive sport remain important differentiators. Amidst Movistar+ revamp, Telefónica faces big decisions and bigger bills for content rights.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica ties with KKR again on Colombian fibre InfraCo
FTTH InfraCos spun out in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia this month. Latest agreement with KKR sets up InfraCo in Colombia. Chilean fibre venture with KKR finalised. FiBrasil infrastructure company launched in Brazil. InfraCo model lightens capital investment intensity for Telefónica.
- Network & Infrastructure
Deutsche Telekom joins the 6G conversation
Operator shares vision for 6G and desire to shape the evolution. DT view: 6G will be sustainable, carbon-neutral, and human-centric. More 6G funds available as Germany invests €685m and EU allocates €900m.
- Products & Services
DT, 1NCE, and AWS team up for simpler IoT
A bundle of connectivity, IoT platform, and cloud services for enterprises. Trio aims for IoT that’s “simple as a click”.
- Products & Services
DT makes next‑gen home improvements
Homegrown and open‑source tech underpin consumer services strategy. New Home OS and Router OS in the spotlight. DT goes big on cloudification, voic‑ification, and orchestration.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone TV seeks AI smarts with Kaltura and AWS
Next phase for cloud‑based Vodafone TV is applying ML and AI. Operator also exploring MEC via AWS partnership for low‑latency TV services.
