More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 180
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Network & Infrastructure
“A tremendous task ahead”: DT continues post-flood rebuild
All mobile network and 93% of fixed lines now recovered. 35,000 new fibre connections to be built in worst-hit areas.
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Network & Infrastructure
Deutsche Telekom’s Choi sees open RAN deployments from 2023
Group’s tech boss likens RAN disaggregation complexity to landing a space rocket booster. Delayed SD-RAN trial one of many remaining legs on “journey” towards open RAN maturity. DT acknowledges geopolitical challenges around O-RAN ecosystem. Call-to-action made on collaboration.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone pursues UK government over lost contract
Vodafone loses Foreign Office contract to Fujitsu, claims process breached procurement rules. Preliminary issue trial set for January 2022.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone sees sales dip from international tie-ups
Revenue from Group’s Partner Markets federation falls back amid pandemic and footprint reduction. Vodafone’s flow of cash from Africa takes a drop following rework of M-PESA business.
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Premium
Vodafone in the driving seat for 5G-powered mobility
Vodafone Germany flags a number of automotive use-cases for its 5G standalone technology in action. BMW, Porsche, and Sony on the automaker partnerships list. Second 5G test track activated.
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Premium
BT’s McRae flags benefits of Tarana’s FWA solution
McRae says customer trials have been encouraging so far. BT’s Allera and Watson tending to play down FWA’s role.
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Strategy & Change
DT looking to Russia to crack digital code
Group moots coming expansion of its St. Petersburg software development facility by two-thirds. Hiring plan aimed at supporting key IT challenges such as fibre roll out planning and management, customer experience improvement, and open RAN deployment.
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Venturing & Investments
DT’s RAN buddy Cellwize gets HPE investment
Automated RAN platform provider and Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners’ investment Cellwize takes cash injection from Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Pathfinder venturing programme.
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Network & Infrastructure
Starlink a potential suitor in Vodafone’s 28GHz lease deal
Vodafone in conversation with satellite operators to lease 28GHz spectrum in the UK. Elon Musk’s Starlink touted as an option
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Premium
DT starts mobility-as-a-service ecosystem build
Telekom Mobility Solutions taps Siemens on mobility-as-a-service app development. Bonn deployment scheduled for mid-2022, with local DT employees getting first dibs. Wider German rollout expected to follow soon after, subject to platform popularity.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: Microsoft’s Operator Connect launched
Group launches Microsoft’s Operator Connect service in Germany, as an exclusive offering (for now).
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Public Affairs
Vodafone called upon for German emergency alerts
Bundestag amends legislature to pave the way for Cell Broadcast SMS-based early-warning system. July floods expedite political process, with politicians now laying out technical specifications before MNOs get to work.
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Premium
BT engages virtual twin(s) on infrastructure resiliency
Group one of three national infrastructure owners to pledge resources to project using simulation tech to overcome impact of climate change on UK’s built environment. Tranche of UK universities and research institutes involved too. Yet another example of BT dipping toes into ‘digital twin’ realm.
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Premium
Oracle wins new role in BT’s 5G network
US supplier to play role in 4G to 5G migration. Huawei woes could have played a role in Oracle’s selection.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Oman opens new HQ
Partner Markets’ greenfield operator expected to launch services “very soon”. Taps Ericsson for network and Netcracker for BSS.
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Operations
Telefónica turning Madrid HQ into digital skills factory
Group ups corporate social responsibility efforts by dedicating real estate to societal pursuit of digital adaption. Talent Hub aims to re-skill 100,000 people per year. Internal skills upgrade high on Group agenda.
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Premium
BT pushes on quantum security with Lumenisity, Toshiba
QKD hook-up with Lumenisity’s hollow core fibre pitched as world first. Senior BT researchers optimistic about multiple use-cases for Lumenisity’s NANF HCF, but commercial timeframes unclear. Collaboration with Toshiba to build “quantum-secure” metro network in and around London.
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Premium
BT helps Ericsson shrink massive MIMO radios
Operator and supplier team up on product development. Lighter weight and easier to handle means faster urban 5G deployment.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone Spain CEO talks up transformation
Vodafone hones in-house IT skills and organises into squads. Share progress on building up platforms and scale. As transformation continues at pace, Vodafone Spain downsizes.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone to overhaul supply chain ops
Warehouse consolidation and digitisation intended to bring greater transparency and control of purchases from China and other key marketplaces. New, digitised stock management facility planned for “small country in the middle of Europe”. Move comes with supply chain resilience and predictability at top of news agenda.