More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 149
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Premium
BT people moves: Gastey leads Global Manufacturing
José Gastey named MD for new Global Manufacturing function, combining several industry verticals. BT’s divisional General Counsels swapped as Canham exits, Beckenbridge pivots, and Langlands moves. Better Workplace management tweaked as fit-out contracts awarded.
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Innovation (R&D)
Staex: DT spinoff aims to patch up fragmented IoT
Telekom Innovation Labs project on ‘new-generation’ IoT orchestration re-surfaces. New business Staex offers a fresh, decentralised take on running smart-utility and smart-city projects. First external funding secured. Startup sits outside of the DT perimeter but maintains ties with Detecon and T-Mobile.
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People
BT alumnus Shaw takes KCOM top-spot
Tim Shaw, former BT Enterprise CTIO, takes Hull operator’s top-spot. Set to drive “exciting transformation” under Macquarie owners.
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Network & Infrastructure
Scottish gov working with Openreach to accelerate R100
R100 project, backed by devolved Scottish government, connects only tiny fraction of targeted premises with superfast broadband. Subsea infrastructure on track to hit rollout deadline, but wider R100 programme facing delays. Scottish government “actively engaging” with Openreach to accelerate rollout; acknowledges (again) that R100 is “hugely challenging”.
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Venturing & Investments
Telefónica takes stake in deep-tech investment fund
Leadwind, launched between Telefónica and K Fund last year, raises €140m in first closing. Telefónica named largest private backer, with Spanish government’s innovation fund among public support.
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Strategy & Change
Telcos must build trust as foundation for data services
Operators currently assume an unfounded bond of trust with customers, but can still build role as valued brokers, believes VM O2’s CDO. Fostering an improved reputation for trustworthiness and delivering privacy-by-design can lead to new revenue streams, according to Vodafone Business data chief. Ex-Deutsche Telekom veteran calls on operators ...
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Strategy & Change
T-Systems readies software development centre in Romania
Enterprise services unit adds new location to global delivery organisation. Laszlo Posset hits the ground running following his recent move from T-Systems ICT India.
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Products & Services
BT digitises fan engagement with Interact launch
Digital audience interaction solution launched as supplement to existing Agilemedia services. BT Sport case study in action, with Interact positioned as part of BT’s “future of broadcast” solutions portfolio being developed at Adastral Park.
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People
Vodafone Germany names new CEO as Ametsreiter confirms exit
Hannes Ametsreiter to pursue private investment career from July, when Microsoft’s Philippe Rogge will take the Vodafone Germany helm. Rogge, President for Central & Eastern Europe at Microsoft, chosen for his “pan-European strategy”, says Group CEO Nick Read.
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Marketing
Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom lock horns over ‘T’ logo
DT objects to Telefónica’s adoption of a ‘T’ made up of five circles.
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Public Affairs
Ukrainian networks restored as Vodafone redoubles war efforts
Chernihiv and Kyiv networks back online as Vodafone Ukraine engineers continue work to ensure communications for citizens. Relief effort supported by Vodafone customer donations.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Openreach: Arson takes out 7,400 connections
Arson attack in Kent knocks out 7,400 connections; Openreach set to launch Advanced Install pilot for complex jobs.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone fibre JV rumours resurface in Germany
UK-headquartered Group reportedly talking to investors. Maximum investment said to be capped at €10bn. Off-balance sheet option wheeled out again.
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Strategy & Change
Telcos seek security in the cloud as 5G grows
Telefónica’s Patricia Diez Munoz acclaims 5G security credentials, but edge deployments and multi-vendor environments bring new challenges. Neil McRae of BT positions security at the fore of cloud-native transformation and calls on vendors to finally ditch legacy attitudes to security, and the days of “stupid passwords”.
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Network & Infrastructure
“A serious tragedy”: Vodacom begins repairs following SA floods
KwaZulu-Natal flooding declared an emergency with more than 300 dead. Vodacom cites ‘social contract’ in ZAR 3m relief donation. Operators begin network restoration, with power outages a core issue after backup batteries washed out.
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Premium
Telefónica people moves: advisory swaps at Tech
Telefónica Tech adds Jaime Bergel and Eva Fernández to its Advisory Board, taking membership to 14. New operations lead added to Technology functions in Brazil and Germany. Jaime Smith Basterra replaces long-serving Telefónica non-executive Peter Erskine on the O2 Germany Supervisory Board. VM O2 commits to establishing a FinOps ...
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M&A
DT hoping for speedy resolution amid ‘multiple’ tower bids
Future of Deutsche Funkturm to be determined following bids from various parties, with American Tower, Cellnex, KKR, and Vantage Towers all named. DT apparently keen to seal a deal sooner rather than later. Despite previous intent to complete full sale, minority option remains “attractive”.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT pilots orchestrated cloud with M2A Media
Pair conduct trial to meet demand for cloud media services. Further collaboration anticipated following “successful” integration showcase.
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People
Victus Networks names new CEO
Ericsson’s Antonios Chondros takes the helm at Vodafone Greece’s network sharing joint venture with WIND Hellas. Chondros replaces Dionysis Grigoratos, who departed in February to join New SIA Greece.
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Premium
BT recruited to modernise Scottish flood warnings
Scottish Environment Protection Agency taps BT to upgrade its Floodline messaging system. New service aims to alert a wider audience via email, social media, and web notifications.