Public Affairs – Page 2
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Public Affairs
European Commission bending to Big Telco calls for consolidation — report
Draft policy paper shows EC ready to make big changes in telecom rules to allow its big players to scale, invest and better face other (typically US) service providers, according to reports.
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Public Affairs
UK: Lords maul government on digital exclusion, call for greater altnet role
Locally-focused altnets are seen as a valuable tool in bridging the Digital Divide by peers tasked with assessing the costs and consequences of digital exclusion.
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Public Affairs
BT begins ‘robust’ defence in £1.3bn overcharging class action
BT takes to the courtroom to face groundbreaking “overcharging” lawsuit — argues no case, but presented as fleecing elderly for whom time of essence; with another class action in the works…
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Public Affairs
Telefónica wants Chile to have a 5G auction rethink
Criticism of Subtel’s terms ramps up, as operator claims that scoring system, prohibition of third-party infra usage, and regulatory obligations grant advantage to 5G entrant Claro. Auction follows several others in Telefónica’s markets over last year, as Group looks to acquire new spectrum while reducing financial exposure in Latin America.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica’s Álvarez-Pallete takes soapbox to Davos, repeats call for EU refresh
Telefónica’s CEO says deregulation and investment “agenda” needed to drive innovation and increase EU telcos’ competitiveness. Comments come hot on the heels of similar messaging from other industry execs. Entrance of SEPI and stc as Group shareholders not a distraction from new three-year strategy…
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Public Affairs
Rumours linking Safaricom’s M-PESA outage to Kenyan tax agency denied
Kenya Revenue Authority accused of being responsible for M-PESA service disruptions, but labels rumours as “fake news”. Find out more about the allegations and the impact of disruptions…
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Public Affairs
BT polishes digital image in battle for tech talent in India
BT Digital seeks to dispel legacy perception to woo bright candidates as it competes for technology skills in the country.
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Public Affairs
UK industry reacts to Ofcom’s mid-contract price hike crackdown
Defensive reactions from BT, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone to populist proposal to eradicate uncertain mid-contract price hikes; TalkTalk pushes back on Openreach and Ofcom…
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Public Affairs
O2 Germany’s Haas adds weight to plea for more mobile spectrum
O2 Germany says tests show upper 6GHz band is well‑suited for mobile communications.
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Public Affairs
Digi reportedly reaches deal for Orange–MÁSMÓVIL remedies
Bloomberg report indicates that a provisional deal has been agreed that could pave way to approval of contentious Spanish transaction.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica ‘switches gears’ on Spanish job cut scheme
Operator to implement ERE incentivised early-retirement plan for first time in eight years, with plan framed as necessary due to “functional excess” of workers. Unions already seeking protections for those affected. Move marks continuation of Spanish personnel cost-cutting drive.
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Public Affairs
Magyar Telekom hails end of Hungary’s utility tax
Parliament adopts act to repeal tax that cost Magyar Telekom about €20m in FY23.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica to ‘firm up’ Spanish job cut plans with unions
Operator to negotiate new incentivised early-retirement plan with the UGT and CCOO, continuing its efforts to reduce personnel costs and simplify structurally.
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Public Affairs
Phones 4u trial: UK MNOs cleared of collusion; appeal possible
Tough ruling for administrators who bet tens of millions on winning vast damages with collusion claim. O2, EE, Vodafone and then-parents Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom and Orange may have dodged biggest hits, but reputational damage could linger. Read more on ruling, backstory, next…
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Public Affairs
Höttges sounds alarm over EU telco vulnerability to foreign takeovers
Sharing dais with Orange and LGI, DTAG chief rails at litany of EU failings. Inflexibility and inertia dashing innovation and investment, with Vodafone and others now targeted for ”slaughter” by PE, oligarchs. Read more…
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Public Affairs
Wait goes on for EC’s investment revival ‘vision’
European Commission guidelines for new Digital Networks Act expected before June 2024, but draft legislation not until 2025.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica ‘presents’ job cut plans to Spanish unions
Operator set to reduce headcount by up to 5,000 through new Individual Contract Suspension Plan.
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Public Affairs
UK infra body: name local authorities that respond slowest on mobile site rollout
National Infrastructure Commission publishes latest scorecard on how UK government is doing on project delivery, and highlights fibre uptake, local planning processes, and cross-sector infra coordination as areas where work is required.
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Public Affairs
DT’s Europe chief lashes out at proposal to regulate EU intra-call pricing
Dominique Leroy argues EU parliament’s proposed amendment to Gigabit Infrastructure Act is unnecessary.
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Public Affairs
EU urges action as 2030 digital infra targets are “far from assured”
European Commission calls on EU member states to pick up the pace on digital infra rollout, estimating up to €227bn required to meet 2030 goals.