More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 245
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BT takes lead on new TIP OpenRAN subgroup
Influential BT researcher in a pivotal role between operators, technologists, and standards groups on Open RAN implementation.
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BT Group Q1 FY20–21
First full COVID-19 quarter sees a sharp decline in revenue and EBITDA. Outflow of cash as network investment continues. Group CEO Jansen claims mists are clearing, enabling Group to issue guidance for the year — although BT anticipates little improvement until 2021. Openreach progress is the main positive for ...
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica in front row seat as Spain unveils recovery plan
Left-leaning Spanish government to put digital transformation at the heart of plans to tackle pandemic challenges, playing to Telefónica strengths.
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Venturing & Investments
Vodafone Institute puts female empowerment in the F-LANE
Finalists from ten countries selected for F-LANE 2020, with AI, blockchain, and VR tech used to support rural women. Virtual edition takes on an oversized cohort in five-week, all-online programme.
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Elsewhere in BT Consumer: Brexit prep and ESN progress
Brexit preparations; fairer price commitments; ESN deployment progress.
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Ofcom plots 5G spectrum auction for early-2021
700MHz and 3.6GHz–3.8GHz frequencies slated to go under hammer in January 2021. Regulator makes some provision to address mid-band fragmentation fears.
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BT champions DLT to help provision 5G private networks
Strong Russian flavour to project, with Rostelecom as Catalyst co-champion, and suppliers Nexign, RTC ARGUS among participants. Catalyst to underpin a network resource marketplace for Industry 4.0. Federated DLT Marketplace to meld with two other BT-supported TM Forum programmes, forming “Mega Catalyst”.
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BT sanguine on DT investment in London fibre rival
Minority BT stakeholder Deutsche Telekom adding to its UK interests through an investment in social housing-focused fibre altnet Community Fibre. Former EE Chief Olaf Swantee to make a UK return as venture’s Chairman. Community Fibre building a business case on sharing Openreach ducts and poles with aim to reach ...
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Elsewhere in BT Group: offline training and Newgate revamp
BT gets permission for Newgate Street revamp; restructuring plans hit resistance; Firebrand flagged as training partner for online and offline.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone’s Omani adventure falling behind schedule
High-touch operational relationship with Vodafone does not appear to have prevented launch programme from backing up. Drags could be a reputational worry for challenged Partner Markets federation, and Group as a whole.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach NI pushes to keep pace in dynamic Gigabit contest
Openreach Northern Ireland accelerating full-fibre rollout as challengers expand their ambitions. Market has highest full-fibre coverage in UK, but urban–rural divide persists. Startup Fibrus takes on Openreach and Virgin Media. Long-awaited, £165m Project Stratum to be awarded soon.
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Network & Infrastructure
Safaricom to put network disaggregation into the wild
Kenyan operator to expand Vodafone’s Africa test-ground for open solutions. Project gearing is more towards core and backhaul than RAN. Scale and efficiency gains highlighted.
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Partnerships & Alliances
NAGRA secures extended Vodafone TV partnership
Vendor’s digital TV security platform to be deployed across further European OpCos to support Vodafone TV growth.
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Strategy & Change
BT to shut blighted Lancashire ICT business
Scandal-hit venture that became the embodiment of BT’s troubled partnership approach to council contracts to finally fade away. Council insourcing set to leave a significant dent in BT’s public sector revenue stream.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica Argentina hit by Fernández decree
Presidential decree to freeze broadband, telephony, and pay-TV tariffs until end-2020 further weakens Argentina’s place in Telefónica world. Move seen as damaging enough to warrant cross-industry response. In subsequent dialogue with Enacom, operators show some willingness to play ball in return for assurances on “industry sustainability”.
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People
Vodafone movers: Australia settles in; Smart Tech gets a Head
Vodafone Smart Tech gets BizDev VP. Australia’s new telco TPG shifts its backroom.
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Enterprise (B2B)
Telefónica creates new unit to target UK security space
Operator is looking to build an international platform for new Telefónica Cibersecurity Tech division. Targeting markets inside and outside its footprint.
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M&A
BT readies itself to ward off unwanted advances
With its share price deflated, dividend suspended, and a series of financial challenges on the horizon, BT Group is consulting on the best way to shore its defences against unsolicited bids. Boutique banker and trusted Vodafone advisor Robey Warshaw may be added to BT defence team. KKR emerges as ...
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People
BT job was “brutal” says ex-CEO Patterson
Former CEO claims he did not feel criticism towards end of BT tenure. Prefers ‘can-do’ mindset of Silicon Valley. BT decision making presented as paper-based and sluggish by comparison.
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Spending: Capex peaks and operational efficiencies rise
Management assures infrastructure investment will be maintained, as key in post-COVID-19 world. Customer experience another priority area. Other projects being reined in to free up funds, though, with Abosolo stressing “strict screening” of spend plans