All articles by Richard Agnew – Page 52
-
PeoplewatchJoseph back in as Safaricom Chairman
Vodafone’s long-time Africa and m-money hand moves upstairs at Safaricom. Power appears re-balanced between Vodacom and state, Safaricom’s two largest shareholders.
-
Content & TVVodafone rethinking content partner strategy
New unit in London charged with refreshing approach to content buying and alliances with the likes of Amazon and Netflix. As ever, “innovation” is emphasised but the underlying onus appears on consolidation and efficiency.
-
Network & InfraScotland back in the game on rural 4G
Installation of rural sites re-starts and initially reticent MNOs now offering warmer support.
-
InterviewInterview: Julie Snell of the Scotland 5G Centre
Former BT executive is relishing new challenge of bringing together a distinct and inclusive 5G strategy for Scotland. 5G continues to be a disruptive and highly politicised step-change in the telecoms industry’s development, with devolved government seeking policy differentiation from Westminster.
-
OperationsGlasgow and Dundee protected from office closures: BT
Ten cities now confirmed as locations BT plans to retain — although EE’s Hatfield base not yet on list.
-
PeoplewatchDeutsche Telekom’s R&D head steps down
Group’s blockchain innovation point-man and T-Labs head is off to open up “next chapter”, but seemingly not yet done with some DT side-projects.
-
Suppliers & SCMDigital Procurement Garage: BT gets new canary for supply chain risks
Macro risk consultancy PRISM joins BT’s fledgling Digital Procurement Garage. Another symbol of how global trade tensions and COVID-19 have given telcos major supply chain resilience jitters. First non-UK member.
-
Network & InfraVodafone’s AI-based NOC overhaul steps up a gear
Migration of first line support tasks to Celfocus-supported CIAS system set to extend to ‘big four’ territories of Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK. Target is 50% of functions to be zero-touch by end of 2020. Project said to reflect shift to new collaborative models within Vodafone and ecosystem.
-
Products & ServicesBT wants to be the Deliveroo of broadband
Group gets “re-imaginative” and fancies that AI can help it drastically reduce the wait customers face for broadband services. Exec admits current lag for broadband set up is “unacceptable”.
-
Financial & PerformanceVodafone Idea down to third spot in Indian mobile
Airtel moves ahead of troubled joint venture, which has jettisoned more than a quarter of its wireless subscriber base since being formed.
-
PeoplewatchBoddy to give Vodafone Ventures a pump?
Strategy Director’s addition to Vodafone Ventures board poses the question: what exactly is Vodafone’s strategy when it comes to technology VC?
-
M&AMzimba: Vodacom remains on lookout for B2B buys
South African group still on hunt for venturing possibilities; aims to become “end-to-end digital transformation partner”.
-
Network & InfraDT gears up for LTE-M launch
Multi-territory debut is in pipeline, as DT seeks to extend into mid-territory beyond basic and industrial IoT applications. Move was originally planned for 2019.
-
PeoplewatchVodafone’s Della Valle joins Reckitt Benckiser board
Vodafone’s CFO lines up against former boss Vittorio Colao after starting consumer brand side-hussle.
-
Network & InfraScottish rural 4G scheme on pause
Government says limited work will resume, post shutdown, “in the coming weeks”.
-
Public AffairsVodacom: 2019 arrests in Tanzania were “troubling”
Shockwaves have evidently not yet subsided from strikingly severe treatment of executives in April 2019 incident.
-
PeoplewatchHöttges continues shake-up with Germany CEO switch
DT’s leadership bowls a googly with appointment of Europe boss Srini Gopalan to head German NatCo. Message: nothing is sacred, as DT’s focus turns to re-imagining Europe-side businesses over 2020s.
-
M&AVodafoneZiggo-Telenet merger has ‘logic’, says Liberty
Vodafone’s co-parent in Netherlands JV notes potential synergy benefits of a Belgian-Dutch cableco combination, but indicates deal would be more complex than it first appears.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesDroniq goes long-range with UAV control
Sky Drone tie-up adds to new JV’s ”command and control” product suite.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesDT signs up to IBM’s blockchain buyer group
Trust Your Supplier consortium, launched in 2019, aims to ensure sellers are who they say they are.