More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 203
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Suppliers & SCM
Nokia supplies “final piece” in Spain’s IP Fusión jigsaw
Telefónica España apparently on home straight to complete “end-to-end” IP network transformation. Latest Nokia kit deployment aimed at extending 5G, FTTH coverage to rural and remote areas.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: Siemens paired for smart buildings
Siemens partnered for smart buildings; Gilat wins teleport contract; Silicom selected for SME SD-WAN drive.
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Partnerships & Alliances
O2 adopts ‘conversational’ AI-based platform
Operator purchases three-year licence, with AI tech set to support long-term aim of becoming CX “champion”.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach doubles rural fibre targets
Infrastructure business targets six million premises passed with full-fibre by 2025, aided by recruitment drive and enhanced investment. 4.8 million total premises passed so far, but no word on rural progress. Collaboration with government and fellow builders key to hitting goals.
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M&A
Tele2 ready to pull T-Mobile Netherlands plug
Tele2 Group CEO confirms intent to pivot away from the Dutch market, with focus on its ‘core’ territories. Comments come with DT also pondering options.
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Premium
Q4 FY20–21: Vodacom turns to M&A to turbo-charge change
Fibre expansion back on as Vodacom steps up diversification plans. Operator negotiating potential strategic partnerships across infrastructure assets, as it develops own take on Vodafone’s leaner and lighter TechCo vision. South African group-within-a-group being offered greater freedom by Vodafone than increasingly tightly-controlled businesses in Europe. One question, as it ...
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Products & Services
Movistar Game shaping up to be Telefónica’s cloud gaming bet
Cloud gaming project has its roots in a 2018 Innovation Call and is said to be in the ‘prototyping phase’. Ludico is internal code name for all gaming activities at the Group.
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M&A
Telefónica Colombia dials up DIRECTV buyout
DIRECTV internet services customer base and spectrum to be acquired under agreement, pending regulatory approval. Deal indicates “commitment” to Colombia despite rumblings of an exit, says CEO Hernández.
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Innovation (R&D)
Wayra widens scope of blockchain tech programme
Innovation unit’s Activation Programme blockchain stream now welcoming proposals from startups in “any sector”.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT taps into Salesforce on enterprise CX
BT’s Amit Sharma provides insights into the Group’s collaboration with Salesforce on the implementation of Open APIs. Aim is to create a more automated, digitally-led customer experience for enterprises. Project sees adoption of iterative approach, with less ‘big bang’.
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People
Ex-Vodafone UK CEO talks up turnaround cred at Frontier
Nick Jeffery claims five-year stint as Vodafone UK CEO was unmitigated success. Top brass at Frontier Communications seem to agree and want Jeffery to work his magic at the US broadband service provider.
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Premium
O2 data centres cool off with fresh air
Data centre upgrade reduces carbon emissions. New fresh air cooling equipment, paired with software from EkkoSense, used to keep data centres cool. “Radical” system supports O2’s pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2025.
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Network & Infrastructure
Frosty O2 and Drillisch finalise roaming deal
A new commercial arrangement with current MVNO landlord O2 Germany should enable the United Internet mobile player to forge ahead with plans for a 5G network. O2 aims to use the “significant proceeds” of the contract to accelerate its network expansion. Described neutrally as a reset of their relationship, ...
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Premium
BT people moves: new Director of Healthcare to lead NHS drive
Sultan Mahmud brought in to lead on NHS partnership and estate digitalisation, drawing on experience as innovation guru in NHS Trusts. Strategy & Transformation team appointments at Consumer. Ex-Vodafone exec appointed Group Treasury Director.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica Peru set for further workforce cuts
Hispam unit’s headcount reduction plans emerge as part of restructuring process. Layoffs to be given go ahead by MTPE, according to Peruvian news outlets. Move follows stark FY20 results.
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Operations
DT to halve real estate footprint in cost reduction drive
Group will shutter 50% of its German real estate in the period to December 2024. Expected net savings could reach €200m. Reflective of a “new way of working” at T-Systems and TDE.
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Strategy & Change
Nemat maps out ‘hyperscaler-plus’ ambition
Group Head of Technology & Innovation uses Capital Markets Day presentation to frame DT as increasingly “hyperscaler-like” on speed-to-market. Addition of “telco-grade” voice and network security, argues Nemat, gives DT advantage over big tech. Exec lauds “superior production model” compared with European peers. Greater network automation presented as key ...
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Strategy & Change
Gopalan puts Telekom on high fibre diet for FTTP gains
FTTP opportunities and cost burden unsurprisingly top of agenda at Capital Markets Day. New TDE Chief Executive unveils multi-faceted plan to free cash and resource for pivotal mega-project. FibreCo JV, vendor rejig, and bigger capex pot among plans to fuel FTTP “acceleration”.
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Strategy & Change
Leroy not rocking boat with FY24 goals
New regional CEO Dominique Leroy marking predecessor Srini Gopalan’s homework, and gives it an ‘A’. Similar plan laid out for Europe in next cycle, to maintain modest forward movement in revenue and earnings through service quality and efficiency improvement. Centralisation and cloudification of systems key targets in segment’s “next ...
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Premium
T-Systems turnaround match goes to a replay
Patience again called for as T-Sys presents COVID-19-afflicted medium-term figures. Chief Al-Saleh wins postponement of positive cash flow target to FY23 as he seeks to realign T-Sys for new normal. More cost cuts coming in IT, infrastructure, and staff as T-Sys seeks to meet expanded savings target. DT wants ...