All Patrick Drahi articles
-
Analyst Briefings
Orangewatch Analyst Briefing: MásOrange’s grand plans, 2G sunset in France, and OpenAI in Africa
From finalising the French 2G sunset and expanding its OpenAI partnership for African markets, to navigating a complex competitive landscape in Spain, Orange Group is again making significant strategic moves. We break down the key developments in this essential briefing for Orange insiders.
-
Financial & Performance
BT vs. Vodafone: UK has a new largest telco for the first time this century
BT Group’s resurgence under Allison Kirkby has pushed its market cap beyond that of Vodafone for the first time in 25 years, but there are plenty of caveats to both operators’ performance, and the real winner could be Sunil Bharti Mittal…
-
M&A
Cellnex ‘not exposed’ to looming telco M&A in France, says CEO
Marco Patuano underlines towerco’s strong market position in France, and said it would be a critical partner in any MNO consolidation moves.
-
M&A
Bouygues, SFR move to offload wireless infra JV to Phoenix Tower
French telco duo enters exclusive discussions with tower group on sell-off rural wireless infrastructure assets, aiming to further ease debt burdens…
-
Financial & Performance
Orange ‘ready to engage’ in M&A talks in France — Heydemann
H1 FY25: Orange remains convinced of need for consolidation in France, although potential sale of SFR remains up in the air ahead of a court decision on Altice France debt restructuring plan.
-
M&A
SFR sale speculation: Blackstone is latest name in frame
Bloomberg reports that US asset manager Blackstone is exploring a joint bid worth up to €30bn, and is talking to other potential interested parties, including SFR’s competitors.
-
Financial & Performance
Orange France steers a steady course as competition intensifies
Q1 FY25: Orange clearly does not wish to offer cutthroat prices despite aggressive plays from domestic rivals.
-
Analyst Briefings
Orangewatch Weekly: shining a light on network evolution
This issue explores technology advances in telecoms, from cloud native through to generative AI and even all-photonic networks.
-
Financial & Performance
BT Q3 Highlights: is the tanker beginning to turn?
Q3 FY24–25: 12-months in and CEO Allison Kirkby continues to impose herself on the Group with yet more executive changes, but the needle on KPIs has scarcely twitched. Management remains optimistic about prospects at Consumer and Openreach, but latest Business reboot smacks of overseas defeat, as Q3 trading update builds on now-familiar ‘wait and see’ mantra…
-
Analyst Briefings
BTwatch Weekly: ‘in transition’ BT ends year on a high
Latest from BT as new Wholesale MD lays out her priorities; Sprinklr tie-up bears first fruit; asset-light international strategy picks up; and BT walks away unscathed from landmark £1bn+ class action case…
-
Analyst Briefings
BTwatch Weekly: earnings add to Kirkby’s optimism
Latest from BT as CEO Allison Kirkby uses drab half-year results to cast vision for the future; Business prepares for Global divestment; Openreach beats fibre expectations; BT riled as Vodafone–Three merger nears…
-
M&A
BT welcomes Bharti’s ‘long-term’ thinking as Altice ousted
CEO Allison Kirkby says Bharti ‘recognises long-term value’ of BT Group as it picks up a 24.5% stake, but what does Bharti bring that Altice didn’t?
-
Analyst Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: TowerCos face churn, altnets’ £800m losses, TalkTalk rapped
Latest from the digital infra scene in the Europe and beyond, including another £16m on the £800m UK altnet losses pile; £6bn datacentre boost; European TowerCo consolidation mooted, and plenty more…
-
Analyst Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: fibre routes to retail; TalkTalk’s latest rejig; Asia’s infra ownership overhaul
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including TalkTalk’s last-minute refinancing, investment boosts for the satellite sector, Japan’s moves towards greater infrastructure sharing, and plenty more…
-
Analyst Briefings
Deutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: Europe ‘not so anti-growth after all’
After several major, US-side buyouts this year, Group indicates some M&A budget could be portioned out to Europe too, as regional performance remains solid and DT prepares fresh medium-term strategy.
-
Analyst Briefings
BTwatch Weekly: Drahi out, Bharti in as CEO Kirkby claims BT strategy ‘vote of confidence’
Latest from BT and its ecosystem, including the Group’s new largest shareholder and the motivations behind the move; Openreach stepping into the Project Gigabit fray with a potential £800m windfall; BT Sourced hypes nnamu procure-tech; more around the Group…
-
Strategy & Change
India’s Bharti steps in as BT’s new largest shareholder
BT Group reunited with 1990s partner, but this time as junior, with new India connection talked up. Investment anchored as ‘vote of confidence’ in CEO Allison Kirkby’s strategy. Road to regulatory approval appears relatively smooth. More on Altice retreat…
-
Analyst Briefings
BTwatch Weekly: Watson calls for discipline, Openreach eyes fibre mega-contracts
Latest from BT and its ecosystem as CSNO Howard Watson calls for patient investors and looks ahead to rewards at the end of the networks upgrade tunnel; Openreach licks lips at prospect of Project Gigabit mega-contracts; and more SRN updates as EE charges on…
-
Analyst Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: CTOs to the fore as industry reshuffles, DT disses 1&1, BDUK springs forward
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including big Project Gigabit wins for Quickline, Wessex Internet, and Wildanet; a first appearance in the wild of a DSIT-funded 4G mast; DT taking a swipe at its newest mobile rival; people moves, and plenty more…
-
Analyst Briefings
BTwatch Weekly: Etc. makes a Tap to Pay play; Tech Fellowship recognises top talent; new ads amplify B2B identity
In-house innovation from incubation arm and distinguished tech leaders in the spotlight this week.