More on EMEA Telco Leaders
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Partnerships & AlliancesBouygues Telecom firms up Aduna tie up with anti-fraud focus
After originally entering a distribution agreement with Aduna in 2025, Bouygues now plans to scale up enterprise access to ID verification APIs through a more formal partnership.
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Network & InfraSpanish gov to mandate backup power upgrades at telcos
Spanish government to introduce new requirements around energy backup for telecoms and digital infra operators by the end of the year. National operators have already made a start, having recently unveiled multiple initiatives to help improve network resilience…
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M&AVodacom completes ‘high-growth market arc’ with controlling Safaricom stake
South African operator completes $2.1bn deal to take majority control of Safaricom, including its Ethiopian venture and m-money platform M-PESA. CEO Shameel Joosub considers it more than a mere bulk-up as Vodacom looks to leverage East African experience elsewhere across the continent.
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Strategy & Changegiffgaff preps fintech side hustle as new CEO eyes deeper customer ties
Innovative MVNO’s boss Kate Dohaney sees telco connectivity as mere ‘table stakes’ in the AI era and is exploring new routes towards value creation, including events, financial services, and education.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDTCP makes maiden Defence Fund investment
Deutsche Telekom-affiliated investor backs drone software developer Six Robotics. Move is the first that DTCP has made via recently created Defence Fund, as it seeks to tap into growing European military spending.
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M&ABT and Verizon pair up on $4bn multinational B2B venture
In depth: BT has finally found a partner for its troubled International enterprise business, striking a joint venture agreement with Verizon that could bring an end to years of strategic uncertainty while creating a new global connectivity player focused on multinational customers.
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OperationsO2 preps Marvel-inspired Jarvis AI platform for summer launch
DTW Ignite: Efficiency-focused German operator is hoping to bring some Marvel Universe-style innovation to its ambitious IT transformation agenda. Project sees O2 unifying governance layer in partnership with close tech allies Tech Mahindra and Hansen.
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Network & InfraVodafone breaks out of PoC jail with autonomous networks ‘killer app’
DTW Ignite: Vodafone and Google Cloud are pushing beyond proof-of-concept theatre, setting out a ‘pragmatic’ blueprint for closed-loop operations where digital twins help build the trust required for real-world network autonomy.
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Products & ServicesTesco Mobile denies rumours of return to UK broadband fray
UK’s largest MVNO pushes back against suggestions it is planning to re-enter the country’s broadband market, after reports that the business has held early-stage talks with parent Virgin Media O2 and infra sibling nexfibre to explore opportunities. Denial comes as competition continues to heat up in the nation’s crowded broadband market…
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Strategy & ChangeAgents of change: Orange CIO Vermeulen spells out risks and rewards of AI
DTW Ignite: Koen Vermeulen says the use of AI agents will compress software development cycles and bring fundamental changes for telcos, removing constraints if bottlenecks are avoided.
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PeoplewatchVantage commercial chief Sonia Hernandez steps down
High-profile tower exec departs from Vantage “at her own request”, following six-year career of building her team from the ground up and driving expansion of European clientele. Exit comes as towerco continues to grapple with commercial pressures on multiple fronts, and after three CEO switch-outs in three years…
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PeoplewatchOrange’s AI chief Steve Jarrett makes switch to Anthropic
Jarret joins US AI giant amid its wider push into Europe, leaving behind a legacy at Orange for successor Usman Javaid to run with.
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Network & InfraTelefónica ‘completes’ Spanish edge site rollout
Operator activates all 17 edge nodes envisaged under Edge Plan, with “modular platform” for businesses to access infrastructure and a range of other digital services. Rollout sees the Group seek to continue expanding B2B services portfolio to help achieve Transform & Grow targets…
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B2BVodafone chases defence opportunity with centralised German hub
European B2B chief Hagen Rickmann heads a move to consolidate and ‘bundle’ defence-related operations in Düsseldorf to target the sector “more strongly”, meet growing demand, and go head-to-head with rival telcos.
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Network & InfraVM O2 plans ‘extensive’ autonomous networks ramp-up
UK operator targets Level 4 network autonomy within a ‘couple of years’, with network planning and optimisation the key use-cases.
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Network & InfraAST SpaceMobile seeks to build launch ‘momentum’ after setbacks
Satellite operator to launch next BlueBird satellites in the first half of August as it seeks to bounce back from delays. Production ramp-up underway, launch partner locked in, and new manufacturing tie-up confirmed…
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone’s R&D chief urges infraco action as quantum threat presents ‘new normal’
DTW Ignite: Luke Ibbetson warns of post-quantum cryptography as a near-term priority for infracos, with a ground-up approach needed to ensure fixed, mobile, and satellite assets are protected…
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PeoplewatchOrange’s Javaid takes over as Group AI supremo
Steve Jarrett is vacating the Chief AI Officer role, although it’s not clear why, with Usman Javaid to fill the spot.
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Network & InfraOptimising Virgin Media O2 joins BT and VodafoneThree in laying down 2G switch-off schedule
Operator seeks to free up frequencies as 2G switch-off to begin in 2029. Spectrum to help VM O2 catch up with rivals on network capacity and strengthen 4G and 5G services. However, Ofcom notes “clear expectations” in place around support for 2G-reliant customers…
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Network & InfraO2 Germany taps Blue Planet’s AI agents to automate network slicing
Joint proof-of-concept showcases 5G network slicing in minutes, rather than weeks, as O2 deploys Blue Planet AI agents.