All Mike Fries articles
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M&ALiberty’s Fries dismisses CityFibre ‘sour grapes’ over £2bn nexfibre bulk-up
UK altnet tensions continue to heighten over the competitive implications of nexfibre’s planned acquisition of Substantial Group, as Liberty’s Mike Fries hits back at CityFibre over calls for an in-depth CMA inquiry.
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Network & InfraVodafone Germany adds tech partners to drive cable upgrades
German OpCo works with Huber+Suhner and Aurora Networks to support efforts to tap traditional cable stronghold, with fibre playing a supporting role.
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InterviewIrrational and anti-competitive: CityFibre CEO urges CMA scrutiny of nexfibre-Netomnia-VM O2 consolidation play
Exclusive: In his first interview as CEO, Simon Holden unpacks Ofcom’s TAR framework and why the Competition and Markets Authority must intervene in the contentious £2bn nexfibre–Netomnia merger to protect infrastructure competition and prevent re-emergence of duopoly stagnation.
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PeoplewatchLiberty plucks exec from TopSource to lead B2B services expansion
Ian Larkin recruited from HR service provider to become first CEO of new outsourcing unit Liberty Blume.
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M&AUK’s nexfibre goes big, gets Substantial
Deep dive: nexfibre’s planned takeover of Substantial Group, parent of infra rival Netomnia, is the UK’s first billion pound-plus fibre altnet transaction and may open the floodgates to long-anticipated consolidation in the fragmented, scale-hungry sector. Chief Executive Rajiv Datta speaks to TelcoTitans about how the deal boosts its challenge to incumbent Openreach on wholesale fibre.
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M&AVodafone pulls out of Netherlands as Liberty takes control
In depth: Liberty Global will take full control of VodafoneZiggo en route to a Sunrise‑style spin‑out of a new Benelux entity, while Vodafone steps back with a minority holdco stake in its latest European portfolio reshaping…
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PeoplewatchTelefónica Peoplewatch: McKinsey exec tasked with mining Murtra’s ‘diamonds’
The latest strategic and senior changes at Telefónica, including news of a hire from consultancy McKinsey to lead a refreshed skills development push, as part of the Group’s new strategy, and changes of leadership at Telefónica Infra, the UK’s giffgaff, and in German wholesale.
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Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch: satellite deals, towers sales
Latest Vodafone Analyst Briefing: including moves in satellite and direct-to-device; a progress report from VodafoneZiggo on performance and a planned wireless infra divestment; installation of a new CEO at Vantage Towers; and more share price volatility at Vi…
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M&ALiberty, Vodafone begin sale of Dutch towers
Liberty Global Q3: operator confirms sale of VodafoneZiggo’s masts is underway, with Mike Fries earlier confirming “alignment” on the issue with co-parent Vodafone Group. Divestiture one part of wider monetisation and deleveraging efforts across the Liberty portfolio…
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Financial & PerformanceVodafoneZiggo facing ‘uncertain journey’, but turnaround path beginning to emerge
Liberty Global Q3: VodafoneZiggo boss Stephen van Rooyen expresses caveated confidence over his masterplan to put the Dutch operator on the road to a turnaround, but not everything is under his control…
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Deep DiveLegendary corporate raider reveals 3% Vodafone stake
Deep Dive: Following Liberty Global’s sharp exit, billionaire Martin Ebner has emerged as a prominent shareholder. The investor, known for forcing major change at Swiss firms, is now fourth on the shareholder roster, leaving the market to ponder the activist’s next move.
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Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch Analyst Briefing: Vodafone knocked back as rivals surge
Latest from Vodafone as a turbulent quarter sees BT claim the UK’s top telco spot, Liberty Global exits stage left, and German fibre JV OXG pushes forward with another wholesale tie-up…
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Strategy & ChangeLiberty CEO: Vodafone stake sell-off is not a judgement on telco’s strategy
Mike Fries says decision to sell a 5% Vodafone Group stake should not be seen as a reflection of the UK operator’s strategy, but purely a rotation of Liberty capital…
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M&ALiberty Blume ignites M&A growth plan with insurance buy
Following an agreement to acquire PHL Insurance Brokers, Liberty Global’s business services spin-up is on the lookout for further strategic M&A or partnerships to grow into a $1bn business.
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Strategy & ChangeVM O2 in spotlight as Telefónica confirms NetCo plan scrapped
Telefónica boss says plan to spin out VM O2 network operation is permanently off the table, with the Group’s strategic review prompting the operator to renounce the NetCo-ServCo split model…
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Financial & PerformanceCityFibre secures £2.3bn war chest to lead UK altnet scaleup round
UK’s largest altnet finalises funding aimed at accelerating operations and driving fibreco consolidation. The question now is ‘what next for Virgin Media O2, its mothballed NetCo spinout, and nexfibre sidecar?’. Read more…
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Network & InfraVodafoneZiggo picks Teleste to support bet on next-gen DOCSIS
VodafoneZiggo partners with Teleste for a nationwide 1.8GHz upgrade, advancing its DOCSIS-led broadband future…
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Analyst BriefingEMEA Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: AI factories in the pipeline; sovereign satellite race rolls on
Latest in EMEA digital infra: AST SpaceMobile, Eutelsat progress European sovereign satellite plans; Spain becomes latest EU country to submit AI Gigafactory bid; Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries updates on infra rejigs…
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Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch Weekly: UK merger complete, hard work begins now
Latest from Vodafone as VodafoneThree strategy laid out; Commscope named VodafoneZiggo’s DOCSIS upgrade vendor; group appoints CFO Luka Mucic replacement; Procure & Connect breaks ground at Luxembourg logistics hub…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: NVIDIA swoops; BDUK target stretches; altnet ownership wobbles
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: AI’s role in future connectivity, UK and local government investment plans; altnet acquisition rumours; people moves, and plenty more…