Richard Agnew
Richard Agnew is Group Editor at TelcoTitans and Market Mettle.
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OperationsVodafone Spain staff set for more redundancies
Challenged Spanish OpCo initiates plan to remove another 500‑plus people from its headcount. Another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation‑led efficiency plans.
- Strategy & Change
Evans elevated to lead Telefónica’s digital strategy
Former O2 UK CEO takes a step up the Group management ladder after missing out on role as head of merged UK JV. Potential for pivotal digital double act with Chema Alonso bringing innovation expertise to be harnessed by Evans’ commercial nous. Navarro remains as key adviser to Chairman, ...
- Network & Infrastructure
Liberty sees UK–Dutch tower separation “sooner than later”
CFO says group “not in love with” tower ownership and keen to unlock value. Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneZiggo assets in focus.
- Partnerships & Alliances
DT set for trio of Vision Fund tie ups: Claure
SoftBank to give DT a big reservoir of digital partners to draw from as it seeks new revenue streams, starting with European e‑mobility, learning, and fintech players. Claure talks up ‘convergence’ and long-term nature of relationship between SoftBank and DT. SoftBank exec looking to make big impression after securing ...
- M&A
Dutch exit nets DT €3.8bn for M&A ‘cookie jar’
Former DT CEO Obermann steps in with buyout of T‑Mobile Netherlands through Apax–Warburg Pincus consortium. Deal is culmination of turnaround effort launched in 2016 when last attempt to sell NatCo fell through. DT directs some of proceeds towards re-inflating T-Mobile US stake, but has other “ideas” up sleeve.
- People
Safaricom taps Guinness exec as Ethiopian CFO
Top finance and people hires confirmed as Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia plots build out. Startup operator aiming for 1,000-strong headcount to support 2022 launch.
- Network & Infrastructure
Lopsided Scottish 4G project shows MNO divergence
After slow start, S4GI scheme now a third of the way towards meeting 2023 site rollout target. But EE remains dominant player, with site activation pipeline more than seven times as large as that of its three rivals. Signs SRN could be shunting S4GI down other MNOs’ priority lists. ...
- Strategy & Change
BT reviewing Indian tech ops, may insource from partners
Taking a relook at level of work outsourced to third-party providers such as Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahindra. Insourcing would “strengthen” role of BT’s Bangalore-based services operation, increase self-reliance.
- Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica Argentina and Sion buddy up on provincial fibre
Argentinian OB to lean on third‑party infrastructure to extend connectivity to harder‑to-reach communities. Movistar looking at expanding reach of its city‑centric FTTP footprint.
- Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom starts TowerCo separation sequence
Operator looking to install managing executive, and then fuller leadership team, to drive tower separation plans outlined in May. Plan to explore stake sale reiterated. Initial focus on biggest market South Africa.
- Venturing & Investments
African energy startup borrows $100m for scale‑out plan
Safaricom partner Circle Gas secures nine-figure loan to drive expansion in African (and potentially Asian) markets. Targets include Nigeria and neighbouring markets of Kenya and Tanzania, where startup is already present. Capital needed for investment-heavy distribution platform.
- Interview
Interview: New HQ beckons for Jansen’s “better BT”
As BT prepares to move into a new-era head office in Aldgate, Technology HR boss Mark Murphy speaks to TelcoTitans about the Group’s physical and virtual makeover. Technology reorganisation, facilities facelift, and move to ‘smart working’ viewed as key to refreshing how BT does business. Organic and inclusive approach ...
- Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone NZ goes lean as it splits from Group “mothership”
Former Vodafone OpCo’s new managers say unravelling of legacy IT snarl‑up remains a work in progress and “fairly challenging”. “High‑performance” business reset expected to deliver big earnings lift in current FY and beyond.
- M&A
TPG puts feelers out for TowerCo deal
Australian JV conducting “preliminary market assessment” ahead of possible spin‑off. Scope of monetisation would be limited by operator’s low level of site ownership. Competitors have already made moves.
- Suppliers & SCM
Smart shopping: Vodafone now using bots for buying
Vodafone Procurement Company says new autonomous platform switched on in June. Focus on extended reach and efficiency in long-tail buying. System could ultimately handle end-to-end sourcing for quarter of spend, unit suggests. Pega and _VOIS on enabler team.
- Suppliers & SCM
Job cuts coming as ISS works to solve DT deal losses
Manager of Group’s German facilities working through “long list” of restructuring measures, with aim to reach breakeven on flagship deal. Stage one complete as key IT milestone hit. Staff and subcontractor cutbacks coming as ISS seeks to squeeze out more costs.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Telecom Egypt to hold Vodafone to “strict” dividend deal
Executives of Vodafone’s Egyptian partner suggest new deal gives watertight dividend flow from their joint mobile business. Agreement creates path for Vodafone to do an internal switch of its Egyptian OpCo, following failed Saudi Telecom deal.
- M&A
Höttges “ready” for Drahi tête-à-tête after BT raid
DT confirms Altice’s secretive acquisition of a large BT holding went unflagged. Group “open” to discussions and sees prospect of “exciting” developments towards end of 2021. DT accentuates lack of pressure to sell up, should Altice target its holding.
- Partnerships & Alliances
BT wants a billion pounds “minimum” from Microsoft deal
Microsoft beefs up its position within BT’s enterprise ecosystem with formation of an updated strategic partnership. BT aiming for a nine-figure revenue target from “complicated”, “big” deal. Software giant separately acquires BT spend‑tracking partner Suplari.
- People
Vodafone Carrier Services’ boss moves into key UK role
Vodafone Business lieutenant Nick Gliddon sent in to perform key UK enterprise mission. Move fills vacancy opened up by Anne Sheehan’s exit to Microsoft Ireland.
