All Strategy & Change articles
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PeoplewatchSchulman’s knife: BT procurement star looks Verizon-bound, supporting massive ‘turnaround’
In-depth: Verizon seems to be adding another European Galactico to its team, tapping BT Sourced founder Cyril Pourrat to spearhead a massive efficiency drive. New CEO Dan Schulman is targeting rapid elimination of $4bn in capex and $5bn in opex, and deployment of automation at scale. Pourrat offers battle-tested digital procurement strategies to a US-supersize turnaround story…
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PeoplewatcheuNetworks names new finance chief
European backbone fibre operator names Giancarlo Ferro as its new finance chief. CEO Marisa Trisolino says he will play a “key role” in its European expansion plans, fuelled by 2024 fundraise…
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Strategy & ChangeTransformation-focused Nokia gears up for AI ‘supercycle’
While telcos remain important customers for the Finnish tech vendor, it is transitioning from a “very telco‑centric” base and embracing the “AI supercycle”.
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PeoplewatchBT’s procurement chief Cyril Pourrat readies for exit
Five years after founding arms-length buying business BT Sourced, Cyril Pourrat prepares to move on. BT understood to opt against a direct replacement…
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M&ATelefónica takes another step towards Colombian exit door
Millicom, prospective buyer of Telefónica Colombia, ticks off another item on its to-do list for the takeover with a tidy-up of the ownership of its own local business.
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Network & InfraVodafone takes ‘effort versus value’ approach to autonomous networks
Zero-touch lead Mabel Pous-Fenollar argues for case-by-case network and operations automation, determined by an ‘effort versus value’ evaluation, to secure quick wins on the road to Level 4…
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone a “frontrunner” partner as Ericsson seeks new opportunities in “flattish” RAN market
In depth: Upbeat Ericsson management present FY25 earnings complete with organic growth and progress in efficiency programmes. CSPs said to be willing to invest despite muted RAN outlook, as Vodafone namechecked for its ‘physical AI’ groundwork…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: lenders steel for losses; altnets in chart success; ITS shows B2B potential
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including Gigaclear lenders take action, Netomnia and Toob lead altnets in Times tech list, EE updates on ESN, and plenty more…
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Network & InfraUnder-pressure Telekom Deutschland sets fresh fibre uptake goal
German incumbent aims to light fire under FTTH uptake in bid to revive performance in country’s highly competitive broadband market, and (apparently) persuade regulators it is not slow-pedalling fibre strategy to protect legacy assets.
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M&AKenyan lawmakers question Safaricom valuation ahead of stake sale
Vodacom’s plan to acquire a controlling stake in Kenya’s Safaricom has attracted fierce scrutiny, with MPs calling for a rethink to secure a fair price and protect against foreign interference…
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Strategy & ChangeSpain moves to Plan III after space comms setback
Failure of Madrid-based satco Hisdesat’s latest spacecraft underlines how in the fast-evolving space infra sector, a multi-year, nationally significant strategic plan can be knocked off course by a particle just millimetres in diameter.
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Public AffairsThe EU’s DNA has landed, but receives lukewarm industry response
While telco groups have welcomed the prospect of spectrum reform to provide greater investment certainty, copper switch-off plans and a new approach to ‘fair share’ earn a far more mixed reception…
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Suppliers & SCMTelcos face multibillion-euro rip-and-replace project as Brussels moves to ban high-risk vendors
In depth: European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen considers the time is now to take network supply chain security “seriously”, laying out proposals to ban vendors deemed ‘high-risk’. Network operators stand to foot a multibillion-euro rip-and-replace bill, with some only recently signing kit deals with Chinese suppliers…
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M&ATelefónica said to hold off on Venezuela exit amidst uncertainty
Spanish group reportedly hits pause button on Venezuela divestment as it awaits economic and political clarity, in the hope of attracting more buyers and increasing the valuation of its local assets…
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M&AAltice reportedly preps XpFibre sale amid ongoing pruning of debt
Patrick Drahi-controlled Altice said to be readying for first round bids for its French fibreco, with an enterprise valuation of €9bn. XpFibre joins a list of Altice companies lined up for sale…
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Financial & PerformanceUK fibre: lenders seizing control at Gigaclear, to pursue sale — report
In depth: For the second time already in 2026, creditors look set to seize a beleaguered UK fibreco, again with trade consolidator no-show cited and equity investors squeezed out. Rural altnet heavily debt-laden but also boasts interesting KPIs, so could still turn some heads, if the price is right…
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PeoplewatchTelefónica Peoplewatch: sustainability, security switches
The latest strategic and senior changes at Telefónica, as the Group sees departures of decarbonisation boss and lead on security products at Telefónica Tech.
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Public AffairsEU resetting copper switch-off to ‘mandatory but conditional’ 2035, pressuring slow-mo incumbents
In depth: leaked draft of EC Digital Networks Act reveals copper shutdown ambitions delayed by five years. Incumbent, copper-overweight operators like Deutsche Telekom look set to face heat if new enforcement capabilities introduced. Other highlights include spectrum trading, easing up on regional consolidation, and streamlining oversight…
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Network & InfraIndus Towers progresses prep for African infra incursion
Giant Indian towerco creates Nigerian and Zambian units, bringing intriguing regional match-up against likes of American Tower, IHS, and Helios a step closer…
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Network & InfraOrange to continue to sell ADSL subs in some areas for another year
Customers in around 8,000 municipalities in France will still be able to buy copper‑based broadband services until 2027 after closure deadline is extended.