Strategy
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Network & Infrastructure
25G/50G slow-go: Openreach may hold out till 2030s on next-gen fibre tech
In depth report — two of the UK’s biggest fibre wholesalers have dampened expectations of imminent 25G and 50G PON upgrades, despite prep-work. Virgin Media O2-backed nexfibre sees no “imminent” case for commercial launch. Openreach also wants greater energy efficiency and to maximise older-gen GPON value extraction, with point-to-point eyed for enterprise. Read more…
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Interview
Netomnia: capex inefficiency is blocking consolidation opportunity
Speaking to TelcoTitans, Netomnia founder and CEO Jeremy Chelot suggests too many altnets are banking on unachievable take-up goals, and that playing fast and loose with investor money has resulted in a block on viable valuations for consolidation.
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Financial & Performance
IHS Towers hires advisers to assess ‘strategic alternatives’
Tower group’s annual results this week sees chief executive highlight initiation of a strategic review of its business, amid share price slump.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica Infra moves closer to 30m full-fibre target
Spanish group reaffirms aim to pass over 100 million homes with fibre networks by 2026, helped by growing portfolio of specialist side-businesses.
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Strategy & Change
Cellnex to carve out (and possibly monetise) land assets
Spanish group outlines plan to create the “biggest LandCo in Europe” as part of cash flow-focused strategy update.
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Network & Infrastructure
‘Focus and finance’: Telefónica sees UK NetCo adding fuel to fibre build
Virgin Media O2’s co-parent paints new, networks-focused UK business as an engine to accelerate roll out and monetisation of fibre connections.
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M&A
DigitalBridge sees ‘pretty hot’ multiples driving more infra investor M&A
International fibre, tower, and data centre investment group has ‘ideas’ up its sleeve to ride new wave of consolidation in the digital infra asset manager space.
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Network & Infrastructure
Connectivity gaps in the spotlight as UK preps for automated vehicles
New study will explore the infrastructure needs for the deployment of connected autonomous vehicles in line with government 2025 goals, with connectivity at the core.
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M&A
Orange is ‘actively looking’ at fibre M&A opportunities
Group CEO Christel Heydemann confirms halting of discussions on purchase of TDF’s fibre unit, but indicates operator remains open to bolt-on transactions for broadband infra footprint.
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M&A
Austria’s EuroTeleSites ‘not interested’ in a tower merger with Cellnex
Management of tower offshoot from Austrian incumbent A1 is not looking to absorb Cellnex’s local business, despite ongoing indications it is in play.
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M&A
TalkTalk confirms wholesale stake sale plans, ties Consumer to exclusive access deal
TalkTalk confirmed exclusive talks are ongoing with a potential new equity partner for its wholesale business, Platform X Communications, as it refinances its £1bn debt facilities.
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Public Affairs
UK: Lords maul government on digital exclusion, call for greater altnet role
Locally-focused altnets are seen as a valuable tool in bridging the Digital Divide by peers tasked with assessing the costs and consequences of digital exclusion.
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Interview
Freedom Fibre CEO sees VX merger adding investment muscle for UK M&A
With InfraBridge as its new controlling shareholder, Freedom Fibre will come into investor giant DigitalBridge’s orbit.
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Strategy & Change
OneWeb latest snafu: ground network delays global coverage into H2
Eutelsat confesses to holdups for serial stumbler OneWeb’s ground network. Reaffirmed faith in SatCo’s prospects insufficient to dodge Group’s financial downgrades. Learn more…
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Financial & Performance
UK’s Digital 9 Infrastructure to wind down, sell off assets
UK infrastructure investor proposes selling most of portfolio to pay off debt after completing strategic review.
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Financial & Performance
Is CityFibre now #1 UK fibre altnet by revenue, take-up?
With take-up doubling, revenue exploding, build on target and positive EBITDA imminent, NetCo boasts 50+ ISP retail partners are selling two- or even three-times’ as many CityFibre connections than sourced from Openreach. Appears Community Fibre and Hyperoptic overtaken, M&A next up…
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Strategy & Change
Liberty eyes infra ‘gold’ through NetCo-ServCo split
February strategy update could see group pave way towards separation of European businesses along lines of infra and retail, says CEO Mike Fries. Liberty envisaging a “series of transactions, structures, and strategies” for next phase of business, following recent years’ portfolio strengthening.
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Strategy & Change
Iridium targets MNOs with direct-to-device strategy refresh
US-based satellite operator seeks to tap into NB-IoT market with Project Stardust, harnessing its existing array of satellites and spectrum to deliver “fully crosslinked” solution. MNOs among initial customers being targeted, though competition in the sector continues to rise…
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M&A
Cordiant finds Czech mates for wireless infra business
Cordiant Digital Infrastructure completes three acquisitions to strengthen and expand the “multi-asset platform” play of České Radiokomunikace, its wireless and broadcast asset in the Czech Republic.
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M&A
Saudi’s stc continues international push with CMC Networks buy
Expansive center3 adds 110 points of presence to its footprint, with a focus on Africa.