Richard Agnew
Richard Agnew is Group Editor at TelcoTitans.
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Venturing & InvestmentsSafaricom energy ally Circle Gas lands big Japanese backer
Deal with conglomerate Marubeni Corporation comes with prepaid LPG startup planning to expand beyond Safaricom-supported deployment in Kenya and into new markets in Africa and Asia.
- Operations
BT considers use of AI to expose vendor malpractice
Operator considering application of video analytics software from partner Vyntelligence to identify “incorrect behaviours” in supplier plants. Idea reflective of operators’ concerns over hidden ESG and security nasties in their vast international supply chains.
- Operations
T-Systems resets India expansion target to support savings push
DT’s enterprise division re-commits to plan to hire thousands of new tech staff. Local digital boss Anant Padmanabhan promoted to lead services unit T‑Systems ICT India. India back in vogue for DT’s management as it seeks fresh talent for digital transformation.
- Operations
Vantage drafts MOWEA for mast turbines
TowerCo indicates cleantech R&D tie‑up is ready for wider deployment. Deal initially focuses on a small subset of sites in main market Germany, but wider national and international rollout mooted if system checks out.
- Operations
BT and TalkTalk footing the YouView bill as losses mount, Arqiva exits
Latest accounts show the TV platform’s shareholders now down to six, with the two operators keeping the venture afloat. R&D budget remains high at £16m, compared to revenue of just £9m. Telcos remain coy on paying subscribers for their TV services.
- Operations
AI not ready for bot-to-bot negotiation — BT’s Brown
Director of Procurement Strategy & Transformation says AI needs more training, but bot-to-bot purchasing “will come”. BT already implements AI tech to help select prospective vendors and optimise supply chain monitoring.
- Partnerships & Alliances
BT ties with SES on ‘multi‑orbit’ data and IoT
Global division looking to satcomms to expand mining sector presence and boost search for growth. Tie-up bridges various in-vogue areas of enterprise IoT, satellite, not‑spot coverage, and cloud productised services. Deal appears precursor to broader revamp of BT’s ecosystem at intersection of wireless and satcomms.
- Venturing & Investments
DT backs wireless asset tracking startup MonoLets
Group continues to build out IoT ecosystem with cash injection into US connected-label startup. hubraum flags system as potentially “really useful” add to DT’s IoT armoury.
- Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom reveals new CTO; Choi switches to R&D
Head of Technology & Innovation Claudia Nemat making a New Year refresh of her top team. Open RAN point man Abdurazak Mudesir takes over as CTO as Group increases bet on network disaggregation. Current CTO Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi moves to a potentially more free-wheeling position overseeing R&D and ...
- Financial & Performance
BT OnePhone reports pre-buyout sales jump
Double-digit growth reported by converged comms business ahead of BT’s recent deal to secure full ownership. Despite expansion, question mark continues to hover over payout for stake add‑on.
- Operations
Openreach turns to video AI to cut install snags
Infra provider claims install quality, efficiency, and consistency gains from roll out of video analytics software from partner Vyntelligence.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone’s Omani partnership finally goes live
High-profile Partner Markets ally opens up services and stores. Debut comes followed prolonged setup process. Operator stresses “digital-first” credentials. Group executives welcome debut.
- Public Affairs
Ethiopia presses pause on third licence contest
Regulator initiates another stoppage after interested parties request delay over RFP “concerns”. Move adds to sense of turbulence around Safaricom’s planned entrance into the country during 2022.
- Suppliers & SCM
Deloitte ‘in line for Deutsche Telekom auditing role’
Report indicates operator is close to concluding a prolonged and politicised auditor selection process. Deloitte now seen as in pole position to replace incumbent PwC.
- M&A
Group’s Central America withdrawal complete
El Salvador’s Superintendencia de Competencia gives Group green light to exit the market through transaction announced with General International Telecom in autumn. No conditions attached to approval, unlike earlier deal with América Móvil that ended up collapsing. Deal is final of five regional sales by Group.
- Financial & Performance
BT’s M&A chaperone boosts takings
Boutique advisory firm Robey Warshaw reports a 50% jump in sales from corporate deal‑making tasks. Partner of BT and Vodafone appears primed to benefit from industry’s new wave of consolidation.
- Products & Services
Safaricom to seed DigiFarm agri services in Ethiopia
Kenyan operator gives a hint of digital services that will form part of its line‑up when it debuts in Ethiopia next year.
- Strategy & Change
DT wants another turn on Greek “rollercoaster”
CFO of Greek NatCo OTE’s parent division reminisces on challenges DT has faced in the country since ill-timed 2008 entrance. German operator remains “committed” to the country and optimistic regarding digitalisation opportunities. Call made for action on tax, regulation, and bureaucracy to improve return-on-capital, however.
- Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone seeks a bit of tech stardust with Nova platform
New “innovation management ecosystem” promises financial and business support to execs with bright ideas. Focus appears both internal and external, with customers and partners of Vodafone expected to become involved. Move forms part of broader reset of Vodafone’s platforms and services strategy.
- Financial & Performance
Talkmobile revamp takes a knock from COVID-19
Vodafone UK’s bid to refresh side-business Talkmobile gets bogged down as economising customers and intense competition hit revenue. OpCo still sees inhouse MVNO as a useful defence mechanism against low-cost mobile rivals.
