All Public Affairs articles
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Strategy & ChangeColao and Niel join Draghi-led push for Europe’s competitive revival
Ex-Vodafone CEO and French telecoms mogul join Mario Draghi’s new think tank pushing for “urgent action” around European competitiveness, as the continent moves to reset telecoms regulation…
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M&AMTN secures IHS deal approvals, moves closer to African towers take-back
Nigerian competition authority among multiple regulators to greenlight the deal, which could see MTN take back control of previously sold tower assets. Telco highlights IHS buy as among ‘selective’ investments in digital infra during H1, as it boasts a strong set of financial results for the period…
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Public AffairsHungary’s 4iG faces major probe into Orbán era state contracts
Hungary’s new government has opened a corporate investigation in the country’s recent history, placing telecoms, defence, and technology conglomerate 4iG under intense scrutiny as it reviews years of state-backed expansion.
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Public Affairs‘All we can do is file lawsuits’: 1&1 still awaits low-band spectrum resolution
German challenger is unable to offer a firm timeframe for resolution of dispute over sub-1GHz airwaves that could bolster its transition to full MNO status.
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Network & InfraOfcom wields TAR in move to block Openreach fibre discounts
For the first time, the regulator intends to direct Openreach to withdraw proposed new fibre customer pricing, citing an ‘unfair’ and ‘aggressive’ approach from the incumbent. Ofcom puts the Telecoms Access Review into action, altnets welcome the move, and Openreach accuses the regulator of protecting rivals’ “poor business models”. Final decision pending…
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Deep DiveStarter for No 10: the key digital infra demands awaiting the UK’s new Prime Minister
Deep dive: Andy Burnham built his political reputation around regional growth in Manchester. Digital infra leaders now want to know whether those principles will translate into a coherent national strategy for fibre, mobile networks, data centres, and digital infrastructure investment, as the industry enters a pivotal moment…
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Public AffairsO2 becomes latest German telco to confirm wide-scale cutbacks
Operator firms up plans to eliminate 1,100 positions by the end of 2026, targeting €185m in annual savings. Decision is latest in a series of efficiency measures at O2, following loss of 1&1 wholesale contract and rise in competitive pressures…
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AnalysisReality check: assessing telco claims of Europe’s High-Risk Supplier crackdown cost — Strand Consult
Guest analysis: with 30% EU exposure remaining, concentrated on 5G RAN, specific countries and three big telcos, John Strand considers media and industry warnings of HRS rip-and-replace costs overstated, evidencing Denmark, the UK and other European markets as showing transition can be managed without derailing 5G rollout. In an age of national security, he also deems it essential for securing future mission-critical contracts.
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Public AffairsVodafone avoids court in no-admission settlement with UK franchisee claimant group
Vodafone has drawn a discreet line under a high profile dispute with dozens of UK franchise partners, reaching an out-of-court settlement that should minimise further reputational broadsides over allegations of unscrupulous pandemic-era behaviour.
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Public AffairsTowerco-telco tensions: Italy’s INWIT trades blows with reluctant anchor tenants
Fastweb and TIM claim early victories in the INWIT dispute as they attempt to terminate contracts, but the challenged towerco insists the core issues remain unresolved. The battle could have significant implications for tower economics, tenant relationships, and Vodafone-backed Vantage Towers.
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OperationsTelefónica fibre partner Atelco said to file for bankruptcy after Spanish contract loss
Telefónica fibre services subcontractor reportedly files for insolvency after losing critical ‘local loop’ contract, with union talks over future of workforce underway. Telefónica said to have aimed to simplify operations with the renewal, as part of wider cost-cutting measures that include renegotiating supplier deals…
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Public AffairsGermany’s O2 lines up job cuts as turnaround plan moves up a gear
Operator confirms it is in talks with employee representative bodies over plan that could axe around 1,400 employees from its workforce. Move comes as O2’s new management seeks to accelerate turnaround effort to fill in the void left by 1&1 contract loss and counter German competitive and economic pressure…
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M&AFrom bitter critic to anchor investor: Xavier Niel replaces e& as Vodafone’s largest shareholder
In-depth: Audacious French telecoms tycoon snaps up e&’s stake in a €5bn transaction. Niel expresses confidence in strategic direction and ‘value creation potential’, just two years after expensively venting frustration at ‘mismanagement’…
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Network & InfraVodacom says more work needed on satco-telco compatibility
DTW Ignite: Jayesh Hargovan warns that while LEO satcoms is reaching maturity, integration challenges remain a major blocker to development of telco–satellite relationships, delaying time to revenue for both CSPs and satcos.
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Public AffairsVirgin Media O2 hit with £28m fine over contract cancellation failings
UK watchdog issues “largest ever fine” under consumer protection rules after finding that VM O2’s ‘two-tier’ agents system and tactics served to delay or prevent customer switching. Fine comes after operator has invested in significant user experience improvements, following separate pushback over consumer practices…
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Public AffairsTelefónica’s proposed wholesale infra access price hikes in spotlight
Operator proposes steeper wholesale price increases for accessing its physical infrastructure as part of an updated bid to alter MARCo regulatory scheme. Move sees Spain’s CNMC target further deregulation in the wholesale broadband segment, although previously suggested MARCo changes proved controversial…
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M&AOrange takes big steps forward on French, Spanish M&A
Orange has advanced its European M&A agenda, completing the full acquisition of MásOrange in Spain and moving forward a complex three-way deal to dismantle SFR in France. The competitive dynamics of both markets are being reshaped…
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Public AffairsDT strikes ‘balanced’ wage deal with trade union
Operator says new collective bargaining agreement with German union reps still leaves enough in the Group pot for network investment, despite acquiescence to wage rises and protection from dismissal for certain employees. HR chief Birgit Bohle describes deal as “balanced”, after DT execs have indicated previous framework was “too generous”…
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Strategy & ChangeFrom danger zone to digital powerhouse: Kearney maps Europe’s path to telecom recovery
Analysis: Europe’s telecoms sector has built extensively but failed to monetise, risking stagnation without urgent structural intervention. Kearney’s comprehensive diagnostic guides on how regionalisation, network resilience, strategic private finance partnerships, and other remedies can revitalise the sector’s finances and the continent’s digital economy.
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OperationsDT and ISS ‘move on’ after settling €80m outsourcing row
DT irons out differences with facilities management supplier ISS, agreeing to settle multi-year dispute and sign up for a contract extension.