More Network & IT insight – Page 209
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Consumer (B2C)Droniq goes B2C as new app takes flight
Deutsche Telekom JV looks to widen customer base with app for drone hobbyists. App provides a visual tool for drone flight validation. Early teething problems highlight the project’s complexity.
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Venturing & InvestmentsWayra backed LinkApi lands a buyer
Telefónica’s Brazilian scale-up hothouse exits LinkApi through Semantix acquisition. Wayra continues transition to later-stage startups with fourth exit in just over a year.
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Innovation5G Create: UK MNOs left with bit parts
Another nine projects added to the state-backed funding call. BT/EE, O2, and Three support AR, broadcasting, and logistics use-cases. Emerging players take lead roles.
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M&ARumours of Vodafone tie-up with MÁSMÓVIL resurface
But MÁSMÓVIL not necessarily the prey. Renewed media speculation that Spain’s fourth largest operator might acquire Vodafone Spain. Report from Banco Santander says MÁSMÓVIL, under new private equity owners, has the necessary financial clout to pull it off.
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M&AOi firms up mobile deal, Vivo reinforces its market lead
Oi finalises mobile asset sale to three-strong consortium of Claro, TIM Brasil, and Vivo. Oi CFO: regulatory approval expected within the year. Trifecta of assets now divested by in-administration Oi as it seeks route to recovery via fibre.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica, Vodafone-backed Loon discontinued
Venture falls foul of harsh winds of reality, failing to reach commercial viability.
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Network & InfraO2 UK battles for 5G leadership
O2 UK flags 5G coverage expansion, matching rivals by some metrics. Apparent rollout successes come ahead of further delayed UK spectrum auction, now pushed back to March. 5G Create partnership indicates continued innovation effort.
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Premiumgiffgaff embraces AWS public cloud
Telefónica UK’s sub-brand MVNO goes “all-in on AWS”. Move accelerates product development. Years-long effort required changes in processes and skills.
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PremiumO2 and Sky test 5G broadcast in live sport event
5G smartphones capture handball Bundesliga action for Sky’s live broadcast.
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PremiumO2 gets in on “grey spot” action with DT and Vodafone
O2 boasts of bilateral site sharing agreements with its rivals that are expected to expand 4G coverage to hundreds of previously underserved rural locations. Agreement reached as German watchdog only approves existing DT and Vodafone grey spot partnership on condition that O2 is brought into the fold.
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PremiumCanonical and Netcracker flag new Vivo contracts
CIO Kriger reveals progress with key IT projects Fusión and Pandora as part of ongoing work to upgrade Telefónica|Vivo’s systems.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: ElevenPaths banks growth in Spain
Telefónica Tech’s IoT & Big Data unit tags contract extensions, while ElevenPaths expands its Spanish order book.
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Network & InfraTelefónica joins European peers in open RAN push
Signs MoU with Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone. Aim is to generate greater economies of scale for smaller suppliers through common procurement parameters. Lobbying European governments for open RAN funding high on the agenda. Telefónica makes open RAN advances in Germany, UK.
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Partnerships & AlliancesAmdocs continues LatAm transformation
System services provider Amdocs further extended its Movistar Chile partnership to cover wireline and wireless services, mirroring Brazilian precedent set in 2019. eSIM management platform added on top.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Group: dev facilities in Catalonia
Support for Spanish as an AI language, research on IoT for agriculture, and applications of technology for social causes explored.
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Network & InfraCosmote works Ericsson ties for campus network debut
Greek operator enables first 5G campus network, focused on smart-manufacturing. Project sees Ericsson further expand 5G reach within DT. PTC and Gizelis Robotics among solution partners.
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Network & InfraDeutsche Telekom, Samsung team up on standalone 5G
Samsung massive MIMO radio put through its paces in Czech city of Pilsen. Project enables first massive MIMO call on end-to-end 5G architecture within Deutsche Telekom’s European footprint. Tie-up marks another (but still rare) appearance for the South Korean vendor in DT’s orbit.
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Network & InfraVodafone readies AWS distributed edge launch in Q1
Vodafone Business updates commercial launch plan for AWS Wavelength distributed edge on 5G. First services available in UK in Q1, German launch “coming soon”. Edge Innovation Programme kicks off this week to stimulate MEC use cases.
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Network & InfraDCMS preps Gigabit UK as MPs growl and BT looks ahead
Government finally picking up on election promises of Gigabit connectivity and consulting on how best to spend a more limited budget. Age-old questions remain over how to connect the unconnected, however.