Public affairs – Page 53
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Network & InfrastructureBT fires another warning shot over fibre roadblocks
Without the right “policy, legislative and fiscal enablers”, BT warns full-fibre nationwide coverage will not happen until 2033. Government target for universal coverage of “Gigabit-capable broadband” is 2025.
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Network & InfrastructureO2 Germany launches 5G as Merkel looks to quash Huawei ban
Likening the launch to German reunification, O2 is delivering 5G in five cities from October on €40-per-month tariffs. NSA launch paving way for more ambitious plans. Media reports suggest Chancellor Angela Merkel will not ban O2 5G partner Huawei, although political resistance remains, and O2 is readying a back-up ...
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PeopleFormer BT exec Hanif Lalani stripped of OBE
Lalani’s last BT role was CEO of BT Global Services. He was fined €1.5m by France’s stock market watchdog in 2012.
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M&AFries and Álvarez-Pallete: two minds on UK JV
While Telefónica and Liberty said to be on same page on O2–Virgin Media integration, respective chiefs hinted at varying concerns and strategic priorities linked to the progress of the JV.
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Public AffairsVodacom’s Congo CFO gets out of jail
Chutoo endures four-day stint behind bars. CFO reportedly quizzed on allegations of “forgery” and “falsification of financial statements”; but no formal charges. Vodacom DRC expresses surprise.
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PremiumAnatel revives fines-for-investment swaps
Brazilian regulator finally agrees first Conduct Adjustment Agreement with TIM, enabling operators to swap fines for investment commitments.
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M&AVivo and co. secure stalking horse status on Oi
As the collective preferred buyer, Vivo, TIM, and Claro are confident they are in a position to outbid any rival interest in Oi’s mobile business. With a €2.6bn offer on the table, Vivo is highlighting the boost in investment in ultrafast networks that would be enabled by Oi’s windfall ...
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PeopleBT strips directorships from treasurer on murder charge
Quick changes made to company officers for major BT holding companies in the wake of Treasury Manager’s widely reported arrest. Review of Winnister’s responsibilities highlights complexity of BT’s many tiers of subsidiaries, and echoes of losses past still reverberating.
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PremiumHuawei woes add to Vodafone Idea pressure
JV forced to consider other options for 5G network. India looks set to tacitly ban use of Chinese equipment. New fundraising efforts on the horizon following AGR decision.
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Partnerships & AlliancesO2 Germany still waiting on cable delivery
VfD yet to follow through with commitments made to secure Unitymedia acquisition, while rivals maintain objections to the deal.
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PeopleFormer BT leaders split across UK-China divide
Ex-BT CEO Ian Livingston expected to foster support for challenger vendors as UK transitions from reliance on Huawei equipment. Predecessor Sir Peter Bonfield charged with smoothing relationships between government and Chinese-funded chipmaker Imagination Technologies. Ex-Chairman Rake has been under fire as Huawei-apologist.
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M&AVodafone Egypt sale reaches impasse; adverse event or powerplay?
Vodafone and stc ‘keep the dialogue open’ as MoU expires. Telecom Egypt denies it has a role in enabling deal, but Vodafone’s dysfunctional local partnership appears to be complicating matters again.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in T-Mobile US: TMUS looks to puchase Shenandoah; Test Drive initiative gets a bump
TMUS expands customer acquisition campaign but customer rewards go awry; static continues between operators and FCC over data coverage claims.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Germany: Telekom Deutschland meets BNetzA broadband target
Elsewhere in Germany Source: Kostya Golinchenko / Unsplash Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency/BNetzA) confirmed that Telekom Deutschland (TDE) had met an interim target of providing 50Mbps mobile broadband speeds across 97% of Germany, by population, ahead of a 30 September 2020 deadline imposed after it and ...
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Strategy & ChangeHöttges goes on Huawei defensive
DT gambles on Germany taking neutral stance on Chinese supplier. High hopes open RAN will help diversify the ecosystem, but systems not ready yet.
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Public AffairsData leak hits T-Mobile Netherlands customers
IT service provider Conduent implicated in another data breach. TMNL’s former Vodafone Thuis customers affected.
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Strategy & ChangeQ2 FY20: Steadying European ship now a top DT priority
With the appointment of Dominique Leroy to lead Europe segment, DT appears to be ensuring it can attack regional revival from all sides. An outsider but not a maverick — Group continues ‘internationalisation’ of upper hierarchy but evidently does not want to rock boat in a time of crisis. ...
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M&AVodafone decries Italian broadband plan
Italy’s plan to create a single national broadband network moves closer, but deal still has some hurdles to overcome and Vodafone CEO Read signals he is opposed. Beyond broadband network, project might include 5G, edge computing, cloud and data centres, creating further strategic complexity for Vodafone’s Italian interests.
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M&ANew Three boss snipes at O2–Virgin merger
Finnegan doubtful on merits of O2–Virgin Media deal, but bullish on leading further UK consolidation.
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Network & InfrastructureMovistar signals interest in Colombian 5G spectrum
Operating business highlights plans to beef up its 5G spectrum platform, despite ongoing suggestions parent Telefónica is keen to reduce ties to the Colombian market.