More Recent Insight – Page 277
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InnovationVodafone seeks a bit of tech stardust with Nova platform
New “innovation management ecosystem” promises financial and business support to execs with bright ideas. Focus appears both internal and external, with customers and partners of Vodafone expected to become involved. Move forms part of broader reset of Vodafone’s platforms and services strategy.
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M&AWill Drahi come knocking on BT’s door?
Six months on from French billionaire’s surprise raid on BT, Altice UK now free to up its stake or mount a takeover bid. Jansen called in for meeting with UK government minister to get the lowdown on Drahi’s intentions.
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Suppliers & SCMOpenreach urges Vauxhall to build British ‘green’ fleet
Clive Selley, Openreach CEO, “in talks” with Vauxhall owner Stellantis to increase production of electric vehicles at its UK plant. Vauxhall supplies Openreach’s 28,000-strong commercial van fleet, which will be ‘green’ by 2030. 1,000 EVs currently on the road in Openreach livery.
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Financial & PerformanceTalkmobile revamp takes a knock from COVID-19
Vodafone UK’s bid to refresh side-business Talkmobile gets bogged down as economising customers and intense competition hit revenue. OpCo still sees inhouse MVNO as a useful defence mechanism against low-cost mobile rivals.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: wholesale lead named at VM O2
VM O2 appoints Diego Tedesco to lead its Fixed Wholesale business in challenge to incumbent Openreach. SME-focused team also filled in at newly-merged UK operator, with appointments in marketing, products, and sales. Telefónica Tech draws in new faces from across the Group footprint.
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Products & ServicesDroniq hails success of first U-Space trial in Germany
Deutsche Telekom JV wants to become Germany’s first U-Space provider. EU U-Space regulation set to apply from January 2023. Droniq and Deutsche Funkturm are applying for a joint licence for aerial tower inspections.
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Public AffairsBT slammed for lack of action on spoofing
IP altnet pokes incumbent over limited success in rooting out fraudulent use of caller ID. BT focused on industry collaboration to address fraud challenge. Migration to all-IP by 2025 portrayed as critical to effective remedies for the problem.
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Venturing & InvestmentsWayra Hispam expands startup investment portfolio with Mexican duo
Vinco and Retrypay join over 100 startups as part of Wayra Hispam’s “ongoing commitment to digital transformation”.
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M&AMagyar Telekom divests healthcare subsidiary
Hungarian NatCo’s T-Systems Hungary business has divested its Pan-Inform subsidiary. Unit will be operated by the state following the deal’s conclusion in early-2022.
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M&AAmerican Tower “excited” by tower M&A in Europe
CFO flags possibility of “compelling things” happening in Europe’s tower scene. Cautions, however, that American Tower in no rush for dealmaking. Deutsche Telekom, Cellnex, Orange, and Vodafone also in the mix for tower M&A.
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PremiumSafaricom pushes back against monopoly complaints
CEO Peter Ndegwa tells rivals to focus on investments, not accusations. Hearing shows government support for Safaricom, which sees market dominance but not a monopoly.
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InnovationDCMS allocates £36m in R&D funding for 5G projects
Future RAN competition rewards 15 companies, including four BT partners. UK government distributes funds as part of its Supply Chain Diversification Strategy. Also sets target for 35% of UK mobile network traffic to be carried via open RAN by 2030. 2G, 3G expected to be retired by 2033 at ...
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Network & InfraAltnets prep fibre wholesale platforms to rival Openreach
Two platforms aim to create full-fibre marketplaces for altnets and resellers. Signs of confederation among the UK’s 80-plus altnets, as wholesale competition heats up. Platforms facilitate Project Gigabit wholesale mandates and One-Touch Switching.
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PremiumElsewhere in T-Mobile US: Sievert dumps shares
Sievert sells shares; NatCo takes a hit for 911 outage.
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PremiumEmergency calls fault puts DT in spotlight
German emergency numbers 110 and 112 downed three times in as many months. Group CEO Höttges steps forward to accept responsibility.
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone’s Wibergh hails speedy integration of former Liberty assets
CTO said 1,000 people are involved in the four-market integration programme. Vodafone TV figures dipped in Germany because of COVID-19. Velocix is supporting GigaTV in Germany.
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Network & InfraTPG cites 5G momentum in Aussie auction snub
Australian operator TPG Telecom did not pick up any blocks in the 900MHz auction, with CEO Berroeta claiming its portfolio is strong enough already. TPG’s 5G network live on 700MHz, with 26GHz trials underway. Rivals Optus and Telstra share the spoils in TPG’s absence.
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: VodaPay reaches million milestone
Vodacom flags one million downloads of VodaPay SuperApp since launch; Safaricom expands Baze VoD platform to include music streaming.
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PremiumSweden’s Netel flags fibre services deal
Swedish group looks set to support German NatCo’s accelerated fibre rollout. Germany offers fertile ground for fibre-focused supplier.
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PremiumVodacom to connect Tanzania with Eutelsat deal
Service agreement will see VdT reach “100% of the country”.