All Political articles – Page 14
-
PeoplewatchTelefónica alumnus tapped for state’s expanded Indra interest
Communications director Sergio Sánchez reportedly added to board at former Telefónica investment Indra Sistemas. News follows a 10% increase in the Spanish government’s shareholding in the company and adds to apparent power struggle in the boardroom.
-
Public AffairsVodafone sends Instant Networks to Ukraine border
Vodafone Foundation starts setting up portable base stations to support refugees in Hungary and donates humanitarian aid. OpCos offer free calls and texts to Ukraine and free roaming for customers remaining in Ukraine. Partner Markets span both sides of the conflict.
-
Strategy & ChangeDT prepared to scale back Russian hub amid crisis
DT has thousands of employees in Russia. CEO indicates the Group could shift staff and operations away from St. Petersburg software development function, in response to Ukrainian crisis. Tasks could be shifted to other digital hubs in India or eastern Europe. Crisis brings centre’s expansion plans to an ...
-
Network & InfraHöttges gives OTE personal vote of confidence
Hails “growth prospects” of Greek operator on FTTP field visit to Athens. Says Greece is “very significant” to Deutsche Telekom.
-
Public AffairsSwiss court orders DT to seize $12.7m in assets
Ruling says funds due to Airport Authority of India. Convoluted case sees Deutsche Telekom caught in the crossfire as a result of minority stake in Devas Multimedia. Long-running legal disputes date back 17 years.
-
Public AffairsViasat’s Inmarsat takeover hits political debris
US satellite operator’s planned acquisition of UK rival (and Deutsche Telekom partner) prompts national security concerns as critical infrastructure given state protection. New foreign takeover law affords Whitehall power to intervene, which looks increasingly likely.
-
Public AffairsEU operator heavyweights want media players to pay their way
Top brass at Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone get shirty (again) over network investment “burden”. Sign off on open letter accusing video streaming, gaming, and social media groups of ‘piggybacking’ unfairly. Urgently call on European legislators to introduce rules for a “more proportionate” way of divvying up ...
-
Network & InfraDT lays siege to Vodafone Germany’s cable MOB redoubt
Vodafone just can’t catch a break, with even German stronghold tormented by reinvigorated DT in aggressive housing association fibre overbuild play. Double whammy as new laws tear open cushy supply agreements. Vodafone banks on client ennui to minimise imminent damage. DT dismissive, even derisive, of Vodafone’s defence.
-
Public AffairsAlierta era scandal still haunting Telefónica
Telefónica pays €6m into court to cover potential civil liabilities linked to trial of disgraced former advisor Rodrigo Rato. Newspaper speculation portrays Rato’s co-defendant, former Telefónica counsel Sánchez de Lerín, as “the man with the briefcase of secrets” linked to the telco. Rato litigation an ongoing hangover from earlier ...
-
PeoplewatchOpenreach’s McTighe ‘steps away’ from Ofcom chair search
Mike McTighe, Openreach Chairman, reportedly withdraws from the search for an Ofcom chair. Now nearly two years in the making, the process is yet to find a clear frontrunner despite a number of names floated. Ex-BBC supremo Michael Grade is the latest hat in the ring.
-
PeoplewatchColao in running to be Italy’s next PM
Former Vodafone CEO seen as potential replacement for Mario Draghi. Process to elect new Italian president reaches fourth round of voting.
-
Network & InfraSubmarine cable vulnerabilities surface
Malicious threats loom, but accidental damage more common. Russian aggression, underwater volcanoes, fishing and anchoring roil subsea cable networks. Difficult to prevent damage, resiliency is best protection.
-
Public AffairsDCMS told to get a grip on Project Gigabit
“Disappointed” accounts committee frustrated by lack of measurable progress and clear plans for reaching 2025 target of 85% ultrafast coverage. Department blasted for lack of meaningful legislation on removal of barriers to deployment. DCMS still seeking clarity from operators on national rollout plans.
-
Network & InfraTelefónica’s PangeaCo begins operations in Peru
Telefónica appears to have failed to find an investor for the Peruvian FibreCo. Political situation may have complicated efforts to find a partner.
-
Financial & PerformanceVodafone close to settling €2.4bn tax dispute with India
Group offers New Delhi a deal after retrospective tax legislation scrapped. Dispute harks back to Vodafone acquisition of Hutchison Essar in 2007. Indian stand-off has long cast a shadow over Group finances, despite recent legal victories.
-
M&ASpain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.
-
PremiumVodafone joins European telco call for open RAN help
Group signs off on Analysys Mason report recommending that European policymakers financially stimulate the region’s open RAN ecosystem. Report also backed by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia, and Telefónica. Wibergh says “Europe needs to urgently prioritise open RAN” to avoid slipping further behind Asia and USA.
-
Network & InfraRegulator: don’t let Ethiopia unrest slow network rollout
The Ethiopian Communications Authority has told STE to “expedite the project rollout” amid ongoing conflict in the country’s north. No wiggle-room in Q1 commercial launch deadline, despite Safaricom staff evacuation and national state of emergency.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesUK telcos face missing out on Horizon Europe funding
Political brinkmanship between London and Brussels threatens access to €95.5bn R&D pot. UK preps Discovery Fund as alternative, but unlikely to match largesse of Horizon Europe.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom’s Super App cushioned if “politics” plays up
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says operator’s VodaPay Super App smarts are protected if political changes affect Alipay. Alipay technology underpins Vodacom’s financial services growth plans. Super App set for commercial launch in South Africa this month.