More Network & IT insight – Page 216
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InnovationGerman operators jump on campus 5G bandwagon
Once-dissenting operators now planning to use licence-based campus networks for service and technology development. Steady growth in 5G local frequency allocations maintained, reaching 88 organisations in the first year. Verizon also enters scene.
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Network & InfraChile auction: unhappy Movistar reins in spend
Five Chilean spectrum bidders announced: Movistar among MNOs looking for additional 5G bandwidth. Operating business’ antitrust complaints shushed until after the auction, with national 5G roadmap taking priority. Hispanoamérica monetisation plans, and a pivot towards less capital intensive service provision may have contributed to Movistar’s muted involvement.
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Suppliers & SCMUK tightens screws on telcos over Huawei
Government plans to tackle lack of diversity in upcoming new 5G strategy.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDTCP tops up Cellwize investment
DTCP adds another undisclosed sum to its investment in network automation specialist Cellwize. $32m total funding in the Series B round.
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Partnerships & AlliancesT-Systems’ and OVHcloud’s first GAIA-X offering takes shape
GAIA-X project gathers pace, as T-Systems and OVHcloud share details of first commercial services to be launched early next year. Deutsche Telekom remains strong supporter of GAIA-X. Largest cloud providers pledge support for project’s principles, but there are signs of regulatory headwinds ahead.
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M&ACellnex open to Telxius grab
TowerCo CEO cheerfully talks up prospect of acquiring stake in Group’s infrastructure business. Idea of Telefónica-Cellnex tie mooted previously — and never totally quashed. Telefónica’s weakening debt profile may prompt inorganic action around infrastructure.
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M&AVi cashes in from Indus Towers–Infratel merger
Vodafone’s loss-making JV in India gets a much-needed cash boost from sale of Indus stake. Vi reportedly in talks with private equity investors to raise more funds.
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Network & InfraTelefónica tests TIP’s tricks in backhaul
Increasingly familiar group of vendors named in results of technical RFI for OpenSoftHaul solution, run by Telefónica and four other operators including Deutsche Telekom.
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Partnerships & AlliancesThree-tier cloud for Vértice platform
Telefónica Empresas and in-house cloud specialist acens partner for digital content distribution platform. Cloud services, hosting, infrastructure, and management provided in the deal.
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M&ATelxius prepares subsea business for sale — report
Telefónica TowerCo Telxius reportedly poking investors to see who bites. €2bn valuation for 100,000km-long submarine cable arm. Telxius’s terrestrial portion has seen continued growth, potentially readying for a pivot.
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Network & InfraTelefónica links with Allianz on FTTP infrastructure
50:50 wholesale JV targets rural and semi-rural areas with fibre rollout. Majority of $5bn investment to be raised by bank loans. “Non-consolidated structure” reduces Group exposure.
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Suppliers & SCMMovistar taps Nokia for automation-led OSS upgrade
Operator implements near-zero touch automation to increase operational efficiency.
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Suppliers & SCMBT seeks instant purchasing power with Suplari
Procurement function seeking “relevance” by addressing “huge legacy” of aging IT, and reliance on Excel. Calculating spend with individual suppliers was long-winded. Quick-fire info seen as increasingly important amid COVID-19 and Brexit disruption.
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PremiumHeadline data: Another quarter of belt-tightening and falling revenue for Telefónica
Telefónica’s narrative of core market strength yet to fully win over doubters. Restructuring remains work-in-progress in Hispam, Tech, and Infra.
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PremiumSpending: cost controls “here to stay”
Current crisis said to have engendered long-term change for the Group, with claims that costs are being permanently cut, and not just deferred. Further confirmation provided that the peak of capex is behind the Group.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Hispanoamérica: spectrum plans firm up
Novator challenge builds; Telcel Mexican dominance resisted; Peruvian fines upheld.
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Network & InfraVodafone hits open RAN trail in rural Ireland
Modest rollout of 30 sites planned initially, supporting 4G. Supplier partners include Comba Telecom, HP, Parallel Wireless, Supermicro, and VMware. Operator keen to include automation vendors in the open RAN ecosystem.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDrillisch soldiers on with roaming talks
Prospective MNO confirms it is seeking one national roaming agreement. DT’s Höttges questions whether potential rival is serious about building its own 5G network. Talks with Telefónica described as ‘constructive’.
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Strategy & ChangeJansen floats potential for Openreach stake sale
“Open-minded” Jansen may see an Openreach stake sale as a way to relieve pressure on investor demands for a quicker transformation. While CEO’s tone more positive on an asset sale, the challenges of extricating elements of the Group for a sell-off may limit options.