More Recent Insight – Page 354
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Network & InfraVodafone hits open RAN trail in rural Ireland
Modest rollout of 30 sites planned initially, supporting 4G. Supplier partners include Comba Telecom, HP, Parallel Wireless, Supermicro, and VMware. Operator keen to include automation vendors in the open RAN ecosystem.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDrillisch soldiers on with roaming talks
Prospective MNO confirms it is seeking one national roaming agreement. DT’s Höttges questions whether potential rival is serious about building its own 5G network. Talks with Telefónica described as ‘constructive’.
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Strategy & ChangeJansen floats potential for Openreach stake sale
“Open-minded” Jansen may see an Openreach stake sale as a way to relieve pressure on investor demands for a quicker transformation. While CEO’s tone more positive on an asset sale, the challenges of extricating elements of the Group for a sell-off may limit options.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom still keen on Ethiopia entry
Safaricom blocked from operating fintech service in Ethiopia, potentially making case for entry shakier, but operator reaffirms Ethiopian commitment and intention to enter bidding war. ECA offers spectrum auction update, amid escalating regional conflict.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica's core markets: Oi sights rescue party; O2 hits 4G targets
Path for Oi acquisition clears; German 4G catch-up continues; O2 UK picks up EE spectrum.
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M&AForthnet share shuffle puts United Group in charge
Pending takeover ends will-they-won’t-they saga of possible Vodafone and Wind buyout. Forthnet MVNO supported by Vodafone Greece yet to be launched commercially, but reflects competitive threat for OpCo to ponder. Move for Wind rumoured as next step for United.
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PeoplewatchVi’s Vora joins Mavenir leadership
Former Vi CTO Vishant Vora appointed executive President at Mavenir. Helping open RAN pioneer build out 5G proposition. Troubled Vi left to fight its own fires.
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Products & ServicesTelefónica|Vivo gearing up for Disney+ launch
Vivo melding OTT service with three separate payment plans from mid-November 2020. OTT market spiking, with operator attempting to keep pace.
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Venturing & InvestmentsNew Wayra investment targeting AI at self-checkout snags
Longstanding Group partner leads investment round in AI-powered checkout solution player Proppos. Food tech-focused startup has designs on international expansion.
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Public AffairsTelefónica Peru defends new city unit amid Twitter storm
Caught in political cross-fire, Peruvian operating business fends off flak over award of telecoms concession.
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PeoplewatchDeutsche Telekom moves: Pekovic takes Romania top spot; Affirmed’s Ahmed joins DTCP
Vladan Pekovic named Telekom Romania CEO in wake of OTE exit. Affirmed Networks’ Hassan Ahmed takes DTCP advisory role. DT Europe CEO Dominique Leroy moves into another NatCo Board seat, this time in Greece.
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Network & InfraOrange CEO open to pan-European TowerCo idea
Stéphane Richard sees “interesting opportunity” in possible tie-up with Deutsche Telekom or Vodafone. CEO wants to do “something smarter” with tower assets than selling masts to accumulator Cellnex.
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InnovationTelefónica-backed vehicle-testing lab flags new intake
V2X lab being put to use, with startups testing LiDAR, AI, and blockchain-based solutions in the hope of accelerating path to market. Telco affiliation part of five-strong cohort.
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Public AffairsDeutsche Telekom exec blames regulators for “miserable state” of European market
VP of European Affairs launches no-holds-barred attack; wants regulation to be “enabling” rather than “value-destructing”. Exec calls for rethink on spectrum auctions, wholesale roaming, and mobile termination rates.
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B2BAlpha spin-out Koa Health goes independent with cash injection
Financial weight put behind e-health solutions provider. Startup emerges out of the wreckage of Innovación Alpha ‘Moonshot’ programme that otherwise failed to fire.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Group: Prisa stake options mooted
Prisa stake potentially in play; Cisco trumpets Telefónica sell-with relationship; next stop USA for content?
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Venturing & InvestmentsSeed investment planted in BT procurement partner Paid
Multi-source investment boosts fintech solutions provider. Clear upward trajectory since its infancy, as Group CPO waxes lyrical about Paid solutions, amid recent macroeconomic turmoil.
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CorporateT-Mobile US boardroom given a refresh
Newly-appointed Telekom Deutschland CEO Srini Gopalan leaves US board, swapped for Dominique Leroy. hubraum’s Tazi and Group veteran Wilkins also join.
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Network & InfraDeutsche Telekom takes rain-check on full-fibre target
Rethink on mix of German next-gen deployment will see Group need a year more than expected to get up to full roll out speed.
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Products & ServicesT-Systems re-morphs movement data analytics biz
Deutsche Telekom shuttered subsidiary Motionlogic in May, and has now added Motion Data products and services to IoT portfolio.