All articles by Sam Patterson – Page 9
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach requests COVID vaccine relief
Direct talks between Openreach and government officials confirmed. COVID-19 surge halts operations. Openreach seeks to highlight public importance of connectivity.
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M&ATelefónica seeks suitor with Chile exit in pipeline
Speculative report suggests Group is ready to relinquish interest in a key pillar of its Hispam unit as monetisation plans evolve. Liberty flagged as front runner, although may face regulatory challenges, and other runners and riders not ruled out.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica in on SEAT’s flagship Spanish e-vehicle plan
Longstanding partner builds-out connected-car alliance with Telefónica. Group lends hand to SEAT’s goal of accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Spain.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDeutsche Telekom gets wind of energy startup MOWEA
DT taps MOWEA to help meet renewable energy ambitions and challenges of getting power to 5G sites. MOWEA previously tied with Vodafone Germany.
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Consumer (B2C)Movistar steps up smart-home drive
Longstanding partner and stakeholder CaixaBank namechecked as partner on TV-based payment solution. Group’s smart-home play given potential leg up by pandemic, with expanded Living Apps catalogue.
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Partnerships & AlliancesT-Mobile CZ makes convergence push with CETIN tie-up
NatCo ramps up FTTH rollout with infrastructure-build tie-up. Another convergence add-on for mobile-centric operator.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTech Ventures looks to unlock Alias Robotics’ full potential
Alias becomes tenth addition to new investment vehicle’s portfolio. EC-backed robot “antivirus” solution to be put on show at Bavarian cybersecurity lab. Importance of cybersecurity solutions for autonomous robots illustrated.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT to head trials at Reading’s Arrow Drone Zone
Group targeting commercialisation of drone flights using country’s “first commercial drone corridor”. Funding delivered through four-year government initiative, but securing safety assurances for BVLOS flights first port of call. Potential benefits to healthcare vertical highlighted.
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Public Affairseir’s fury over BT’s NI PSSN contract award reignited
BT hit with substantial fine for misinformation that may have affected the outcome of a £40m government contract. Irish operator “considering our options” on prized PSSN contract, although Ofcom found no deliberate breaches.
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Strategy & ChangeCzech operator tops up on O2
O2 Czech Republic extends right to use Telefónica’s European brand name beyond 2030. Group’s ties with operator’s majority stakeholder not totally severed.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone supports drone inspection trial led by Sees.ai
Multimillion-pound drone project ready for deployment, with VfUK a key enabler. Drones to work as surveillance system for construction sites — just one of its many potential use-cases, according to Group CTO. Another addition to Group’s expanding portfolio of drone tech collaborations.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica and BBVA tie on Movistar Money joint venture
Consumer finance business green-lighted for launch in Colombia. Group extends partnership with stakeholder BBVA. Move continues recent refresh of Telefónica’s financial services partnerships.
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OperationsBT picks Belfast for legal relaunch
Multi-million-pound investment goes towards revamp of Group’s legal presence. Another BT function chooses to switch activities across Irish Sea.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica on board with 5G emergency comms project
AI to be leveraged by EC-funded research group as a means of providing enhanced 5G network coverage for emergency services. Group building ecosystem around responsible use of AI. Another example of operator working the axis between e-health and connected-vehicles.
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Partnerships & AlliancesT-Systems joins GAIA-X Automotive Alliance
T-Sys joins five others in cloud-based GAIA-X supply chain project. Investment in vehicle market interoperability and sustainability.
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M&ADT pulls Romanian fixed-line plug but marooned in mobile
Group’s fixed-line assets in Romania currently worth just under €0.5m. Romanian footing remains, with TRMC still falling under DT’s convoluted structure — for now.
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Venturing & InvestmentsWayra backs Brazilian e-learning startup Alicerce Educação
Startup accelerator Wayra highlights investment in one of local operating business Vivo’s targeted growth areas. Capital will go towards tackling educational divide in Brazil, including via recent strategic tie-up.
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PeopleEx-Deutsche Telekom CFO Dannenfeldt resurfaces at Ceconomy
Shareholders to confirm appointment of former Telekom CFO in early-2021. Deutsche Telekom veteran to help steer business through period of transition.
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Suppliers & SCMMYCOM OSI tapped for cloud-native service assurance
End-to-end replacement of assurance point solutions.
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Content & TVTelefónica and Hispasat renew acquaintances (again)
Three year-deal to transmit services from AMC Networks-owned channel provider. Group extends longstanding and multi-purpose partnership with former investment.