More Latest Insight – Page 270
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Profile
Which Drahi has BT got itself entangled with?
Altice empire expands into UK. Drahi: a fibre visionary or ruthless financer? Does BT investment represent change of tack by rapacious wheeler-dealer?
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Venturing & Investments
Shopper tracking startup earns Wayra investment and O2 deal
Wayra UK dials up London-based startup’s already substantial financing. Investment sets the stage for a “multi-million-pound” retail partnership with the Group’s UK operator.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Europe: Services build-outs in Austria and Greece
Services build-outs in Austria and Greece; new data centre planned in Romania.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Group: Nextory acquires e-book JV; Group joins handset sustainability drive
Nextory subsumes e-book JV; Group joins handset sustainability drive; Wayra plants capital in transcription and shopper-tracking startups.
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M&A
In detail: Liberty and Telefónica’s VM-O2 pre-nup
Three-year wait expected before a potential IPO of new joint venture, while both parties expected to remain involved in the business for at least five years. Telefónica reserving its right to go it alone in UK on IoT, cloud, and cybersecurity services. Liberty to get a board presence at ...
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People
T-Systems CTO takes the helm on Gaia-X board
Maximilian Ahrens elected Chairman along with first board of directors. First Gaia-X services expected by end of 2021. Another sign of Deutsche Telekom’s support for the initiative.
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Enterprise (B2B)
DT’s Antje Williams puts three year timeline on enterprise 5G
Enterprises initially focusing on private networks but they want to test all types of features. ‘Fear of missing out’ cited as a key driver of digitisation and 5G.
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Strategy & Change
DT on standby for 5G European Aviation Network add-on
Group open to a 5G upgrade on flagship European Aviation Network system. Execs see user demand for faster connectivity on planes. Vendor partner SkyFive working on 5G system in China. Airwave-dependent European update could be “some time” away, however.
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M&A
Vodafone Turkey buys into enterprise IT specialist FGS
OpCo takes 50% share of business services provider and frames deal as reflecting Vodafone’s march into “TechCo” territory. FGS products to be launched in Vodafone markets outside Turkey.
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Suppliers & SCM
NPS revival makes for happy shopping at Vodafone’s VPC
Digital transformation at Vodafone’s procurement unit said to have driven positive Net Promoter Scores for user experience. VPC says it is now faster, more efficient, and has “happy” purchase orders. Process mining and machine learning driving further efficiencies.
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M&A
Deutsche Telekom smart-buildings partner snapped up
2017 “strategic” investment offloaded by Group. Netherlands’ Planon to subsume Axonize’s IoT platform into wider facilities management product and services suite.
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Operations
AST SpaceMobile sets up UK arm
High-profile US startup establishing tech team in Leicester space hub. Move eases collaboration with Vodafone ahead of joint launch in Africa.
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M&A
BT quietly divests Boingo Wireless interest
Telco offloads small minority stake in Boingo. US wireless internet service provider recently subsumed by Digital Colony.
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Enterprise (B2B)
Sims to head up new BT SoHo unit
Enterprise launches new iteration of Halo for Business with added support for micro-businesses. One of first major moves by Enterprise division following entrance of new CEO Rob Shuter in February.
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Venturing & Investments
DTCP’s monetary fuel fires up One Store expansion plan
Fund joins venture funding round in business owned by close partner SK Telecom. One Store aiming to reach lofty heights of market competitors Apple and Google.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT drives mobility data space in Germany
T-Systems and DT IoT get mobility industry cloud on the road. Government-backed project unlocks data for safer, greener transportation. Data Intelligence Hub supports industry cloud initiatives. DT’s data sharing projects span automotive, logistics, and mobility sectors.
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone picks Dresden and Málaga for R&D
Portugal may have lost out because of Group anger over the ongoing 5G auction process.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT seeks South African alternatives after partner breakup
Group abruptly severs ties with longstanding partner Sekunjalo, but is under pressure to remain compliant with the country’s black economic empowerment agenda.
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Strategy & Change
Movistar reboots investment unit for expansion
Telefónica’s audio-visual management company Contenidos has been repurposed as Telefónica España Filiales. New unit takes on a broader remit in apparent bid to grow its portfolio, moving away from multimedia focus. Holdings mapped out, with some recent changes.
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Operations
Vodafone banks on the Nile for flow of efficiencies
Group Annual Report sheds light on shared services transformation under the _VOIS division. Egypt emerges as the Group’s largest territory by headcount. CFO Della Valle points to _VOIS “role efficiencies” as it de-siloes, standardises, and harmonises operations.