Public affairs – Page 54
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M&A
Telefónica jilted in LatAm again
América Móvil gave up on Movistar El Salvador acquisition. Telefónica once again sees sale of a Latin American asset derailed by actions of local competition and regulatory watchdogs.
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Premium
BT continues to mull post-COVID-19 working options
Jansen seeks a return to normality. Changes to practices are afoot, however: Work Your Way flexible working initiative launched; distributed working pros and cons explored.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica in front row seat as Spain unveils recovery plan
Left-leaning Spanish government to put digital transformation at the heart of plans to tackle pandemic challenges, playing to Telefónica strengths.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Group: offline training and Newgate revamp
BT gets permission for Newgate Street revamp; restructuring plans hit resistance; Firebrand flagged as training partner for online and offline.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica Argentina hit by Fernández decree
Presidential decree to freeze broadband, telephony, and pay-TV tariffs until end-2020 further weakens Argentina’s place in Telefónica world. Move seen as damaging enough to warrant cross-industry response. In subsequent dialogue with Enacom, operators show some willingness to play ball in return for assurances on “industry sustainability”.
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M&A
BT readies itself to ward off unwanted advances
With its share price deflated, dividend suspended, and a series of financial challenges on the horizon, BT Group is consulting on the best way to shore its defences against unsolicited bids. Boutique banker and trusted Vodafone advisor Robey Warshaw may be added to BT defence team. KKR emerges as ...
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Premium
O2 meets interim target on coverage obligations
Operating business back on track with LTE rollout after supply chain troubles, but is still playing catch-up on coverage obligations.
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Strategy & Change
Vivo to generate its own renewable energy
Opportunities for cost-savings are driving Vivo to get more hands-on with adoption of localised renewable energy sources. Twenty-year contract commitments from the operator said to be enabling innovative energy provider projects.
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Premium
Push for TI-Open Fiber tie up
Italian government signals plan to act as broker. Vodafone Italy rival Telecom Italia expected to retain control of single local access network, at least initially.
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Premium
Infratel–Indus Towers merger remains in limbo
Deal, agreed more than two years ago, continues to be clouded in uncertainty. Latest delay likely related to uncertainty over Vodafone Idea’s payment of AGR dues. Bharti Infratel chairman confident of favourable ruling from Supreme Court, and that Vodafone will “definitely stay” in India.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone: Elsewhere in Africa
Ghana High Court authorises operators to share subscriber data with government for coronavirus contact tracing, and Vodacom Tanzania extends M-PESA’s reach with the launch of International Money Transfer.
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Network & Infrastructure
UK security industry braces for IP voice surge
Openreach looks set to take the plunge on all-IP exchange migration in the coming months and BT’s retail divisions are making a push for IP-based voice services. Industry body BSIA urging members to ensure electronic security estates are prepared for the impending analogue switch-off.
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Strategy & Change
Drillisch roaming talks becoming “mother of all battles”
Prospective new MNO remains stuck in talks with rivals, leaving Germany’s four-player 5G strategy in limbo.
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Public Affairs
Ofcom wholesale voice review rings in changes for BT
The call services market is changing and Ofcom proposals aim to keep up with the times.
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Network & Infrastructure
Magenta Telekom CEO Bierwirth calls for action to reboot “stuck” 5G rollout
Long-time legal and regulatory challenges around site rollout look to be coming to a head in the 5G era.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone on hold over Trump’s German troop pull-out
Impact of European military shake-up on Vodafone Germany’s specialist TKS unit yet to become clear.
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M&A
Oi can afford to be choosy as rival bids for assets emerge
Restructuring Brazilian operator Oi is weighing up escalating offers for its mobile assets as a consortium of local operators compete with private equity-funded infrastructure provider Highline. TIM Brasil may have most at stake in bidding, with speculation it would take the lion’s share of Oi assets.
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M&A
Telefónica uses Liberty for Costa Rica exit Plan B
Telefónica still intends to pursue legal action against former buyer Millicom. New agreement looks to have wiped $70m off the previously agreed deal.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT Group leads charge for UK EVs
BT and big fleet operators call for all new car and van sales to be electric by 2030. New coalition urges government action to kickstart EV market.
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Network & Infrastructure
Pompeo declares Álvarez-Pallete a US 5G ally
Statements from US Secretary of State on Telefónica intentions appears to contradict ongoing Group commitments to working with Huawei.