More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 5
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Partnerships & Alliances
Deutsche Telekom joins bid to build EU-backed mega AI data centre
Group is part a five-player consortium that hopes to win a piece of the EU’s €20bn budget to build an “AI Gigafactory” in Germany, as Europe unlocks funding for AI and digital infrastructure.
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Network & Infrastructure
EE densifies Westminster network with Ontix small cells tie-up
Ties with shared infra specialist and ambitious neutral host extended to 80 fresh sites in central London, in conjunction with assertive local authority. Learn more…
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Financial & Performance
BT holds off on international B2B sale until division proves its worth
FY24–25: BT Group CEO Allison Kirkby says carved-out BT International must show its value, with ‘runway’ needed for Global Fabric to do the same, ahead of a prospective offload. UK M&A remains on the cards too as BT looks to capitalise on SMB opportunity…
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Strategy & Change
Hénique signs off from Orange MEA on a high note
France-bound Jérôme Hénique discusses the challenges of managing Orange’s sprawling Middle East & Africa business, and asserts the importance of a division that has contributed significantly to Orange’s results in recent times, delivering double‑digit revenue growth for eight consecutive quarters.
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People
Deutsche Telekom centres on RAN challenges with new R&D boss
Key RAN development exec Petr Ledl is to take over as Head of DT’s T-Labs unit, with a brief to grapple with “complex technology concepts in the area of mobile networks” and push forward transformation of the group’s radio systems.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica says adios to copper after completing switch-off
Spanish operator is officially in post-copper era after switching off its last legacy exchanges, putting it in pole position among European telcos to benefit from capex and opex savings.
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Financial & Performance
BT Consumer returns to multi-brand approach to ‘defend and win’ against altnet incursion
FY24–25: BT CEO Allison Kirkby has found an ally in new Consumer boss Claire Gillies as they work to undo ‘underweight investment’ in BT and Plusnet brands of recent years. U-turn on New EE strategy sees multi-brand approach ‘reactivated’, regional campaigns to beat local altnet competition…
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M&A
Orange set to check out of Anytime fintech subsidiary
Orange continues to wind down its retail banking business in Europe with exclusive negotiations now taking place over the sale of Orange Bank fintech subsidiary Anytime.
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Financial & Performance
Openreach seeks another gear as altnets gain and CPs flop
FY24–25: BT CEO Allison Kirkby has tossed earlier promises of lower capex, instead fuelling an accelerated fibre build “now that we’ve got the engine humming” to bolster a defence against altnet incursions, and make up for CP shortcomings…
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M&A
Telefónica finalises another Hispam exit with €389m Uruguay sale
Telefónica to sell Uruguayan business to Millicom International Cellular for US$440m (€389m), as Hispam disposals are accelerated to fuel Group’s consolidation ambitions in Spanish and European markets.
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People
DT tech supremo Claudia Nemat resigns; CTO Mudesir steps up
Tectonic shift at German group as colourful and charismatic Technology & Innovation boss Claudia Nemat departs and passes the reins to number-two Dr. Abdu Mudesir.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Germany hits new lows as management tees up a turnaround
FY24–25: Group management insists that annual results were the nadir for its flailing German OpCo, as another fall in service revenue and earnings makes for an even lower baseline to which a future turnaround can be compared.
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M&A
Telefónica said to eye bigger piece of Brazilian fibre JV
As Telefónica reviews its Group-wide strategy, discussions have reportedly started about increasing ownership in FiBrasil, the open access fibre joint venture with CDPQ.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone sees the bright side of global chaos
FY24–25: As Vodafone Business surpasses €8bn in revenue, driven by Digital Services, anticipated hikes in cybersecurity, defence, and sovereignty spending in politically uncertain times is expected to provide another boost.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica and CaixaBank rejig device finance tie-up
CaixaBank and Telefónica combine two separate financing joint ventures into their Telefónica Renting tie-up in Spain in latest development between the long-time partners.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone braces for UK merger impact, lines up €1.5bn investment for inaugural year
FY24–25: Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle teases imminent deal completion and rapid integration to follow.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone’s £120m legal battle with franchisees reaches High Court
Lawsuit filed by nearly half of Vodafone UK’s retail franchisees proceeds to High Court, after failing to reach a resolution through a mediation process.
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Financial & Performance
Digi ‘adapting as we go’ after a testing start in Belgium
Closely-watched new entrant has already been forced to “resize” and “rescale” its business in the first few months of operation.
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Financial & Performance
South Africa: energy challenges push rivals Vodacom and MTN to collaborate on power
Vodacom FY24–25: operators in early stages of infra-sharing under Energy Users regulation.
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M&A
United Internet raises 1&1 stake ahead of further network spend
Germany’s United Internet splashing out €300m to increase 1&1 holding to 90%; claims “particularly important” ahead of mobile network expansion.