Strategy
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Network & InfraINWIT fights back as anchor tenants threaten to dismantle Italian towerco business model
In-depth: Towers showdown erupts in Italy as Fastweb + Vodafone looks to pull out of its INWIT MSA and is met by ‘conflict’ accusations and a legal response. With Vodafone still exposed indirectly, and peers observing with interest, Europe’s once-staid infra sector continues to reset…
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InterviewHelios CFO on tower group’s people-powered growth plan
Interview: Helios Towers’ finance chief Manjit Dhillon has long-term confidence in the outlook for MEA’s mobile industry as it gains lift from demographic and commercial tailwinds.
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Strategy & ChangeVIRTUS bets on tier-two Europe in ‘speculative’ data centre expansion
Interview: Macquarie-backed operator VIRTUS Data Centres is accelerating its European ambitions with a speculative build model, targeting tier‑two metros to stay ahead of hyperscaler demand and replicate a tried-and-true campus model. Business Development VP Christina Mertens talks ambition, strategy, and investor backing…
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Network & InfraEnter SatCo: Vodafone raises curtain on European D2D branding, management
Branding, management, and governance unveiled as Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile take another step towards direct-to-device services launch in Europe. ‘We’re here to complement, not compete’ is the message from leadership, as satco takes on ‘operator-led’ model…
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Network & InfraWhat will it take to get orbital data centres off the ground?
In-depth: despite naysayers, startups and hyperscalers are accelerating plans to deploy data centres in space, with multiple major announcements since the start of the year. TelcoTitans Infrawatch investigates the players, prospects and viability…
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M&AUK’s nexfibre goes big, gets Substantial
Deep dive: nexfibre’s planned takeover of Substantial Group, parent of infra rival Netomnia, is the UK’s first billion pound-plus fibre altnet transaction and may open the floodgates to long-anticipated consolidation in the fragmented, scale-hungry sector. Chief Executive Rajiv Datta speaks to TelcoTitans about how the deal boosts its challenge to incumbent Openreach on wholesale fibre.
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Financial & PerformanceEutelsat draws back from ‘shaky’ GEO as LEO surges
Satco limits investment in geostationary satellites to service continuity and instead hedges future on further LEO growth via the OneWeb constellation. GEO business case considered “more and more shaky”, while LEO presents growth opportunity…
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M&AVodafone to ‘keep looking’ at Vantage stake as European tower scene evolves
Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle satisfied with Vantage performance, but acknowledges that consolidation is changing the landscape in several markets, and the ‘appropriate position’ for the Group’s towerco interests may also shift…
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone ‘happy’ with INWIT stake despite share slump
Group CEO Margherita Della Valle content with level of interest in Italian towerco despite share price plummeting 20% amid MNO consolidation concerns, and the prospect of a write-down looming…
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Financial & PerformanceBT CEO bullish in face of altnet challenge, Openreach line losses
Q3 FY25–26: Allison Kirkby says BT is biting back amid a fibreco incursion as Openreach passed 21 million premises and tops 38% penetration, but line losses continue to drag and seem to be tempered, not overcome…
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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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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&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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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.
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: consolidation gathers steam; industrial Wi Fi expansion; KKR backs UK data centres
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: ‘aggressive’ new ownership at G.Network, Truespeed flirts with Freedom, GTR secures expansion war chest, and plenty more…