More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 228
-
Partnerships & AlliancesBT to head trials at Reading’s Arrow Drone Zone
Group targeting commercialisation of drone flights using country’s “first commercial drone corridor”. Funding delivered through four-year government initiative, but securing safety assurances for BVLOS flights first port of call. Potential benefits to healthcare vertical highlighted.
-
M&ALiberty homes in on Telefónica units in Colombia and Ecuador
Reports suggest that Liberty Latin America is stepping up its acquisition strategy, and could enable Telefónica to tick two more boxes on its regional divestment list.
-
M&AVivo shares Oi’s spectrum spoils
In administration operator Oi takes another step towards recovery with divestment of asset trifecta. Mobile assets won by three-strong consortium of Claro, TIM Brasil, and Vivo. Vivo adds to spectrum capacity as well as new customers, while TIM still takes the lion’s share.
-
Public Affairseir’s fury over BT’s NI PSSN contract award reignited
BT hit with substantial fine for misinformation that may have affected the outcome of a £40m government contract. Irish operator “considering our options” on prized PSSN contract, although Ofcom found no deliberate breaches.
-
PremiumTelefónica people moves: leaders emerge at re-jigged Telefónica Tech
Telefónica Tech re-organisation brings new names to light. Fibre leadership changes in South American businesses. Former O2 Germany CEO Dirks takes top-spot at rival to Telefonica’s new InfraCo.
-
PeopleColao dismisses Ferrari driving seat rumours
Unexpected departure of Ferrari’s CEO sets the rumour mill in motion, with former Vodafone boss Colao mooted as one potential successor. Reports said to be baseless by source close to Colao.
-
Network & InfrastructureVodafone Germany CEO Ametsreiter on 5G ramp-up mission
Vodafone Germany ups 5G coverage targets but still lags Telekom. Draft IT Security Act 2.0 under fire from former Head of Cybersecurity at the Ministry of the Interior.
-
PremiumVodafone Q2 FY20–21
Cost-cutting props up performance during COVID-19-hit quarter and CFO indicates she is preparing to step up efficiency plans further. Lag in delivery of leadership’s “Phase Two” plans, including Tech 2025, muddying attempts to assure stakeholders of a brighter future. Lots of talk of “underlying” strength as Group’s leadership seeks ...
-
PremiumHeadline numbers: weathering the storm, for now
Key numbers relatively solid, reflecting telecoms sector’s cushioning from worst of pandemic disruption. Cost-cutting props up earnings, offsetting top-line weakness. Results preceded latest coronavirus response measures, which will have exacerbated drag on roaming revenue. Government support measures and resumption of international travel cited as key to maintaining solidity.
-
PremiumGuidance: tightly-wound numbers obscure future
On a like-for-like basis, Vodafone Group is holding its own in the pandemic so far and leadership appears confident regarding short-term outlook. Longer-term prospects remain a question mark, however, especially as cost-cutting — rather than the top-line growth — is keeping the Group on a steady course. Asset sales ...
-
PremiumSpend: Della Valle dials it up on COVID cost-cutting
CFO flags acceleration of savings push during H1, and possibility of a further expansion of ambitions for the post-COVID era. Planned developments at Vodafone Procurement Company briefly mooted. Stark Retail and Shared Services cutbacks detailed.
-
PremiumEurope: Read stresses asset line-up is not settled
Vodafone leadership considering next phase of Group strategy, and indicates M&A moves could form part of new medium-term plan. Group open to solutions in markets not generating sufficient return on capital employed. Germany’s importance to Vodafone on display again; commitment to other markets less obvious.
-
PremiumAfrica: resilient SA helps Vodacom through crisis
Vodacom continues to perform well despite regulatory and macro pressures across its regional footprint. However, unfavourable currency trends remain fly in the ointment when Group’s results are translated to Vodafone’s P&L. No sign yet that Vodafone management is going cool on its commitment to Africa, despite weaknesses and willingness ...
-
M&ABT retreats in Italy as court date looms
TIM snaffles SME and public sector accounts business, but BT maintaining a presence for large enterprises as well as multinationals. Taint of accounting scandal lingers, with former Global executives set for trial in 2021.
-
Strategy & ChangeBT builds up Data & AI Solutions biz
Data & AI Solutions business searches for revenue gold in BT Group’s data hills. BT researchers tap data for better customer experience, while Openreach data scientists reduce cost of fibre rollout.
-
InterviewDroniq COO: BVLOS flight within sight
Ralph Schepp talks regulatory hurdles, market potential, and use-cases. DT-DFS JV sets high ambitions for traffic management platform. Partners brought in, with DT staying close.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesHoloportation in 2021: BT seeing DoubleMe
3D image processing specialist hints at telco deployments of HoloPort platform in 2021. Business-to-consumer service said to be in pipeline. DoubleMe–BT relationship growing out of Telecom Infra Project innovation hub.
-
Innovation (R&D)Mobius: malware tracker tackles new use-cases
Geospatial intelligence tool is being trialled to support security efforts across BT’s physical assets, moving beyond its CAV origins. Epidemiological methods used to model and monitor the spread of malware.
-
PremiumBT people moves: IT executives reshuffled
IT Managing Director Rachel Higham confirmed her departure, leaving a vacancy for the all-important IT transformation project. Changes to Group’s regional management, including the exit of BT’s England Director and a new Openreach Scotland chair. High-profile alumni take advisory spots at UK regulators.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone clicks with Amazon on 5G edge service
Vodafone Business’ year-long collaboration with AWS on distributed MEC close to bearing fruit. First commercial services in UK, Germany slated for spring 2021. Vodafone and AWS initiate Edge Innovation Programme to develop PoCs.