Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Vivo set for a longer wait as CADE rules Oi deal is complex
Regulator to take its time to examine Oi divestment in detail. Decision confirms fears that closure will likely take place in 2022. Suggestion raised that deal could even be rejected.
Joosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
Uzan family sues Vodafone and others for $68bn
Turkish clan of business tycoons claims its assets were illegally seized and sold by the state. Vodafone’s 2005 acquisition of Telsim among the family’s grievances. Group denies all allegations of contributing to defraud the Uzans.
Drahi cites Brexit for BT swoop
Co‑founder of Altice telecoms group pays UK government ministers a visit about newly acquired 12.1% BT stake. Claims Brexit and relatively low FTTP rollout makes UK ripe for investment. Some in BT reportedly think overtures to government might be part of a grand takeover plan.
DT and BNetzA lock horns over private 5G licences
Deutsche Telekom spectrum expert says frequency ‘set‑asides’ risk limiting the success of 5G in Europe. BNetzA says campus networks a ‘success story’ in 3.7GHz/3.8GHz band.
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: BAI goes underground
BAI takes fibre competition underground and BT unveils a new set‑top box.
Elsewhere in BT Technology: Qlik’s cost‑saving BT deal
Qlik trumpets cost‑saving success in BT deal; “better trust models” needed to combat cyber risk; and G7 conference leads to UK–US R&D agreement.
DRC: Vodacom denounces ‘arbitrary’ engineer arrest
Vodacom DRC formally protests arrest of engineer on allegations of fraud. Controversial mobile device registry at the centre of the row, which has in recent months seen marches on the streets of Kinshasa.
Four-day weeks and home working at Telefónica
“Avant‑garde” union deal writes in provisions for permanent hybrid working for 15,000 employees. Four‑day week pilot promised for volunteer employees, with an accompanying drop in pay. 1% salary increase also flagged.
Elsewhere in Telefónica Hispanomérica: Colombia FTTP drive; Telefónica Peru divests Red Digital stake
FTTP investment continues in Colombia; Telefónica exits digital transaction platform in Peru.
NI report criticises past public broadband projects
Audit Office report cannot verify that two broadband projects “achieved value for money”. High service take-up rates suggest not all public funding was needed. NI expected to claw back £14m of public funds from BT. Hopes for £165m Project Stratum to deliver better outcome for rural broadband.