Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
BT union raises stakes as emergency call handlers join strike
Communication Workers Union feels it had “no option but to up the ante” after BT “refused to negotiate” on pay.
AI and IoT in sport: helping hand or threatening force?
Carlsen–Niemann chess scandal kindles debate around how to combat combined, nefarious use of capabilities of AI and wearables.
Colao to big tech: cooperate or be taxed
Former Vodafone chief and digital policymaker urges all players to find a commercial solution to the challenges of funding infrastructure investment across Europe, rather than risk strong EU intervention.
Vodafone’s Read on a mission to get everyone a smartphone
Group CEO Nick Read joins UN and ITU in push to improve access to affordable smartphones in poor countries.
CaixaBank rejigs stake in Telefónica
CaixaBank reduces holding in Telefónica to 3.49%, reportedly netting it a €40m capital gain.
Vi ‘seeks flexibility’ as Indus threatens to turn off lights
Struggling joint venture discussing “softer payment terms”.
Modi hears 5G plans from Airtel, Jio but nothing from Vi
Vi keeps quiet on 5G intentions at India Mobile Congress, inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Modi.
Ofcom: operators must do more to help crisis-hit customers
Regulator finds a huge jump in number of households struggling to afford communications services, with pay-TV spend under particular pressure.
Former BT Group chair bashes UK fiscal plan
Sir Michael Rake fears UK economy in “danger”, as pound slumps and UK bond yields shoot up following “unfunded” tax cuts.
CTO Wibergh leaves Vodafone
Former Ericsson executive to retire at end of year, with pivotal Tech 2025 strategy still a work in progress.
Safaricom’s M-PESA will be ‘standalone entity’
M-money business will reportedly separate in coming months.