All articles by Neal Doran – Page 23
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Network & InfrastructureUS forces UK hand on Huawei, Germany resists
Reports that tightened US sanctions may be a game changer on Huawei security pave the way for a UK government U-turn on its approach to the vendor. In Germany, leaked DT contract details underline willingness of Huawei to hedge operator risks with stockpiled supplies and financial guarantees.
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Suppliers & SCMBT eagerly anticipates Nokia cloud revamp
Nokia is targeting cloud service providers with new kit promising automated, scalable cloud service development via a new NetOps toolbox.
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M&AEU: Vestager nod set to prompt regional consolidation race
Vestager distracts from four-to-three merger demands by highlighting potential for creation of pan-European big beasts. But is this feasible in any imminent iteration of Europe, beyond cross-border infrastructure ventures envisaged by Orange?
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M&AFries on VM-O2 merger: don’t mention the tax breaks
Liberty Global anticipates substantial opportunities for savings by injecting Virgin Media tax losses into O2, but Fries wary that such behaviour may not chime with goal of creating new UK “national champion”.
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Suppliers & SCMTelefónica in a bind as US pressures Brazil on Huawei
US Ambassador warns of financial cost to Brazil of permitting Huawei 5G presence, while talking up favourable loans for Ericsson and Nokia kit. Comments follow fulsome praise for Chinese vendor from Telefónica|Vivo CEO as an innovative and trusted partner.
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Enterprise (B2B)BT defends role in poor-value NI land registry project
Audit Office critical of Department for Finance in failing to deliver taxpayer value from Land Registry contract, and for not securing sufficient transparency on BT’s slice of the income.
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Public AffairsDT tracing COVID app finally set for take off
German authorities muse a ten-day earlier hand-off to DT and SAP could have seen Germany’s tracing programme accelerated by up to three weeks. T-Systems’ staff beta testing app, while DT contact centres will manage manual test result communications.
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Financial & PerformanceSAP called in as BT addresses “material weakness” in reporting
Ongoing inadequacies in financial controls have resulted in BT submitting its consolidated accounts with caveats. IT system weaknesses, and insufficiently robust review of elements of financial information are the source of concerns. Governance and compliance solutions from SAP have been flagged as supporting greater resilience for the Group’s future ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesCan new telco group bridge COVID tracing’s digital divide?
New rapid response specifications group, E4P, aiming to facilitate interoperability across European track-and-trace apps through a focus on privacy and security, with standards ready by end-summer 2020. Conflict between centralised and decentralised approach to developing tracing apps may prove a stumbling block, however.
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M&AMásMóvil equity deal may spark Spanish consolidation
The private equity acquisition of Spain’s number four operator may see a short-term spike in competition, but could ultimately lead to consolidation, easing pressure on Telefónica and Vodafone. Opportunities could emerge for Telxius to pick up MásMóvil masts in the aftermath.
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M&AEU court ruling could revive network consolidation
Commission found to have been wrong to block O2–Three merger, based on commitment to upholding four-player mobile markets in larger countries. While not yet final, the court’s decision may fire the starting pistol for a renewed wave of consolidation among telcos struggling to manage competition. Commissioner Vestager side-steps comment ...
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Innovation (R&D)Operators prep for 5G reality with Qualcomm
Qualcomm’s OEM certification programme expected to enable establishment of a new XR device category. European operators predict performance and sports content rights can be leveraged to create popular new applications that will showcase 5G’s worth.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone takes seat on Open RAN policy board
US interests dominate the new Open RAN Policy Coalition, but Vodafone will have a board presence within the 30 member-strong lobbying group.
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Content & TVTelefónica intent on seeing off F1 rivals
Telefónica could pay up to €100m for in-demand motorsport rights as it defends its bundled content price premium.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelcos see more cooperative post-crisis industry
Home-working creating a permanent new need for stronger networks covering the UK’s homes, and potential for collaboration to deliver it. Industry cooperation seen as having played a key role in the robust management of changing demands on national infrastructure sparked by lockdown.
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach raises FTTP sights as ADTRAN comes on board
ADTRAN set to take a substantial share of work building BT’s new fibre infrastructure as a third partner alongside Huawei and Nokia. Vendor’s involvement appears to have sparked a small jump in BT’s March 2021 rollout targets.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica talks up increasing digital relevance
Group believes seismic societal change will emphasise the relevance of emerging digital services. However, in recent months the rate of growth has been slowing, not accelerating. Corporate digitalisation still where the money’s at for Telefónica, with changes in the consumer market focused more on updating sales channels and improving ...
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Suppliers & SCMISS’ Deutsche Telekom deal gathering speed despite virus and malware
DT’s new FM partner is beginning to feel the benefit of its relationship, despite an unfortunate series of internal and external obstacles.
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Strategy & ChangeVivo commits to investment through crisis
Brazil CEO Christian Gebara cautiously optimistic on progress of joint investment plans despite potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak. FTTP rollout undertaken in conjunction with American Tower said to be progressing serenely in current circumstances. Telefónica|Vivo’s operational strength may also tempt more service providers to consider signing ...
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M&AO2 and VM: cash in the attic and a new shop front
While building a strong UK competitor is the headline motivation behind the plan to merge O2 UK and Virgin Media, for Telefónica the deal is a shining opportunity to get its Group finances in order. Structure of the JV suggests a key opening for Telefónica to bring its strong ...