All Political articles
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M&AEC cites need for ‘European champions’ as merger guidelines review looms
In depth: Anticipation builds as first sighting of revised EU merger guidelines is slated for April, and telcos are busy lobbying for an M&A rule change…
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Network & InfraT-Mobile boss pledges balance on spectrum spend
US telco is committed to maintaining its spectrum leadership, but will not buy frequencies at any cost.
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M&ATelefónica takes another step towards Colombian exit door
Millicom, prospective buyer of Telefónica Colombia, ticks off another item on its to-do list for the takeover with a tidy-up of the ownership of its own local business.
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M&AKenyan lawmakers question Safaricom valuation ahead of stake sale
Vodacom’s plan to acquire a controlling stake in Kenya’s Safaricom has attracted fierce scrutiny, with MPs calling for a rethink to secure a fair price and protect against foreign interference…
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Public AffairsThe EU’s DNA has landed, but receives lukewarm industry response
While telco groups have welcomed the prospect of spectrum reform to provide greater investment certainty, copper switch-off plans and a new approach to ‘fair share’ earn a far more mixed reception…
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Network & Infra‘No other choice’: 1&1 to sue BNetzA over spectrum extension move
Challenger operator CEO Ralph Dommermuth tells Handelsblatt that he intends to sue the regulator for spectrum licence extension decision that “ruled out” 1&1. “This is not OK”…
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Public AffairsEU resetting copper switch-off to ‘mandatory but conditional’ 2035, pressuring slow-mo incumbents
In depth: leaked draft of EC Digital Networks Act reveals copper shutdown ambitions delayed by five years. Incumbent, copper-overweight operators like Deutsche Telekom look set to face heat if new enforcement capabilities introduced. Other highlights include spectrum trading, easing up on regional consolidation, and streamlining oversight…
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Network & InfraOrange to continue to sell ADSL subs in some areas for another year
Customers in around 8,000 municipalities in France will still be able to buy copper‑based broadband services until 2027 after closure deadline is extended.
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Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch: M&A ripples in Europe, debt reprieve in India
Analyst Briefing: European M&A, some of Vodafone’s own making, shifts the Partner Markets landscape; AGR pressure lifted for Vi as India’s gov commits to reassessment; and reports suggest change in the office for OXG Glasfaser ownership…
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Strategy & ChangeHungary’s 4iG gears up to become third 5G player in North Macedonia
Reports indicate that spectrum licences have been awarded to 4iG unit One Macedonia, although official confirmation is still pending.
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PeoplewatchVodafone Peoplewatch: CSR influence secured, Ventures leadership renewed
January 2026 update: Vodafone sustains influence in the industry’s CSR alliance, adds a COO to recently acquired B2B services provider Skaylink, and names new Vodafone Ventures leadership…
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Public AffairsTelefónica trims Spanish job cutback plan in bid for union deal
Talks continue between employee reps and bosses over Group’s latest planned round of cutbacks.
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Financial & PerformanceBT CEO snubs fibre M&A, doubling down on Openreach organic growth — despite accelerating line losses
Q2 FY25–26: Allison Kirkby showed little enthusiasm at thought of mopping up fibre altnets as part of much-anticipated consolidation, instead insisting Openreach is best focused on its own game, and set up to beat any incursion — notwithstanding line losses accelerating alarmingly…
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Innovation30 years down, 5+ to go before BT’s quantum vision comes to life
Capacity Europe 2025: Senior Research Manager Andrew Lord remains optimistic about quantum secure communications, but sought-after commercial use cases still five-to-ten years away. QKD a valid ‘stepping stone’, and satellite may boost momentum, but supply chain ‘fragility’ remains a stumbling block…
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Public AffairsClearing the Eir: Irish operators criticise ‘excessively lax’ access rules
Industry body ALTO, representing operators such as BT, Vodafone, Enet, and Sky, calls for review into regulation of incumbent.
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Public AffairsIndia considers Vi reprieve to promote UK trade, foster relations — report
Vodafone-backed Indian operator Vi may benefit from UK-India trade negotiations as reports emerge that the New Delhi government may waive some debts.
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Public AffairsBT’s Kirkby pulls no punches in review of UK regulatory, fiscal policy
Connected Britain: Allison Kirkby lets loose on Downing Street policy, with greater fiscal certainty needed to fund much-needed infra investment and AI adoption. Regulatory policy comes in for inevitable criticism too, as the BT boss sets the scene for the Chancellor’s upcoming Budget and Ofcom’s pending Telecoms Access Review…
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Network & InfraUK AI council looks north as energy demand set to soar — but connectivity an afterthought
Initial meetings of the government’s AI Energy Council see predictions of surging energy demand and challenges in ensuring existing infrastructure is up to the job, but connectivity requirements appear sidelined with fibre operators asbent…
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Financial & PerformanceQ1 in-depth: Germany begins fightback
Q1 FY25–26: work to fix Vodafone Germany after years of decline is now beginning to pay off, management claims, and the OpCo is tracking to a return to growth (from a dwindling base) by year’s end. Elsewhere, Vodafone reports positive moves across the footprint put the group on course…
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Suppliers & SCMVodacom Tanzania swaps Nokia for Huawei in RAN overhaul
Parent Group’s CEO Shameel Joosub says “much more attractive offer” from Huawei led to initiation of a major RAN rip-and-replace project.