Neal Doran
Neal Doran is a Senior Analyst for TelcoTitans. Neal's industry knowledge and experience as a telecoms analyst and writer spans three decades, and he has been a key part of TelcoTitan's Editorial team since 2001.
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Network & InfrastructureMesch: fibre facing its ‘dotcom bubble’ moment
CityFibre CEO anticipates a period of rationalisation that will see the unprepared go to the wall, but a stronger altnet sector emerge.
- Network & Infrastructure
Don’t bank on the big two for buyouts, Brit altnets warned
As UK Infrastructure Bank highlights challenge of financing fibre rollout at pace, a report from Communication Chambers warns altnets to consider consolidation plans carefully.
- People
Microsoft veteran to bring AI expertise to BT board
Former Microsoft software evangelist and AI strategist to become non-executive director.
- Strategy & Change
Telefónica’s future network: a massive blockchain-enabled computer
Telefónica’s Executive Chairman is urging operators to embrace the collaborative spirit that enabled roaming to create a new connectivity platform.
- Network & Infrastructure
Sky to compete with Vivo after signing with FiBrasil
Satellite player set to challenge FiBrasil’s co-owner in Brazil’s growing ultrafast broadband market.
- Network & Infrastructure
Chema Alonso: the metaverse is nearer than people think
Telefónica is making a play to be a metaverse first-mover and ally to ensure its networks are ready for the innovation it can bring in as little as five years’ time.
- M&A
FiBrasil linked to role in fibre consolidation
Telefónica and CDPQ JV linked to investment plans with country’s fifth-largest ISP, Vero Internet.
- Public Affairs
BT eSIM strategy entangled in UK security reviews
The fire sale of eSIM platform developer Truphone has reportedly been disrupted by security services concerns linked to a remote SIM provisioning contract with BT.
- Strategy & Change
BT pursues mesh strategy as distributed data surges
BT is adopting a data mesh approach to delivering commercial services while maintaining good governance.
- Operations
Bracken cools VM O2 ServCo prospects, but fibre JV on track
Liberty CFO Charlie Bracken talks up management benefits of separating infrastructure from service, but imminent hard split not on the cards.
- Enterprise (B2B)
BT sees public deals erode as IT giants rise
BT sees its share of government telecoms revenue slide as Virgin Media O2 gains ground.
- Public Affairs
Telefónica dragged to fringes of Colombian election fraud claims
Spain’s far-right political party Vox has called into question the role of integrator Indra Sistemes in Colombia’s elections, also bringing other Spanish companies into the spotlight.
- Public Affairs
Phones 4u claims telco “culture of impunity” as collusion trial begins
Phones 4u seeks to depict cavalier attitudes towards competition law among executives on the UK mobile scene as it attempts to prove operators colluded to cause its collapse.
- M&A
Prisa sale calls time on Telefónica political ambitions
Álvarez-Pallete declares the telco “should not be in the business of opinion-making” after offloading the bulk of its 9% stake in Spanish media group Prisa.
- Public Affairs
Drahi’s BT stake raises national security concerns
UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng wields National Security & Investment Act to review, and potentially reverse, Altice UK’s latest BT stake acquisition.
- Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica ‘learns lessons’ as open RAN plan scaled back
Spanish group looks to have reined back on flagship ‘50%’ target for open RAN rollout.
- Partnerships & Alliances
SpaceMobile stays flexible as final testing nears
New funding deal with B Riley provides cash assurance as investment builds ahead of commercial launch.
- Financial & Performance
Q1 FY22: Telefónica facing challenges with a spring in its step
Strong start to FY22 saw cross-examination on prospect of a quick upgrade on guidance for the year. VM O2 the odd one out as three of Telefónica’s core markets show strengthening operational performance and clear vision for market evolution. Telefónica Tech building momentum, but strategy of buying short-term growth ...
- Operations
Telefónica tightens management focus for Spanish platform play
Previously heralded Industry Verticals unit now up and running as Telefónica implements a more ambitious multi-play strategy. Growing Wholesale business receives dedicated leadership, while regional management will take greater role in supporting B2B sector. Brand manager Serrahima given broader remit to improve customer experience in all sectors.
- Marketing
Telefónica has a change of plan on convergence
Fusión brand set to be replaced after a decade as totem for Group’s convergence strategy. Move comes with convergent ARPU and acquisition in stall. New service to draw on Group’s prolific recent recruitment of partners such as Microsoft, Prosegur, and Teladoc.
