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Telefónica expands B2B portfolio with voice AI tech
Operator offers AI-powered transcription and virtual assistants to Spanish enterprises, marking latest step in planned modernisation of B2B comms portfolio. Launch highlights voice as a key area for telco AI innovation, as Telefónica and other European telcos tinker with the technology…
Financial & PerformanceVirgin Media O2 mulls cost cuts to protect cash flow and reduce leverage
As UK broadband competition continues to bite, Virgin Media O2 is considering enacting a major savings push as part of the next phase of its business turnaround strategy. Consideration of cutbacks follows recently announced cost-cutting programmes at sister businesses in Germany and Spain, accompanied by large-scale job losses.
Network & InfraT-Mobile leverages AI to adapt to data demand surges
Operator launches AI-powered Dynamic CX platform to tackle network congestion during public events, mirroring solutions that parent Deutsche Telekom has been developing in Germany.
Partnerships & AlliancesSpain: Telefónica lands role as Google Cloud’s compliance lookout
Telefónica becomes “trusted sovereignty partner” for Google Cloud in Spain, with plans to ensure the hyperscaler remains compliant with Spanish data sovereignty requirements. Partnership builds on existing relationship in other technological areas…
Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone draws on $1bn Google Cloud ties in enterprise AI expansion
Vodafone Business homes in on SMEs with expansion of Google Cloud-powered services portfolio. New customer service and security offerings for European customers mark the latest development in the pair’s ten-year link-up…
Suppliers & SCMOpenreach taps Google Cloud for fleet migration, fibre planning
Suite of Google Cloud platforms and tools support Openreach’s fibre-building machine, ‘optimising’ the EV fleet and streamlining network planning.
Products & ServicesVoice gets an AI makeover: DT and Telefónica chart the course from AI-integrated to AI-native
MWC26: AI is ‘making voice sexy again’, according to Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica, speaking on a Mavenir-hosted panel exploring how the transition to AI-driven networks unlocks new monetisation opportunities, drives hyper-customisation, and paves the way for autonomous, agentic telco operations.
Products & ServicesTurkey: Vodafone repositions ahead of ‘largest 5G launch yet’
MWC26: Vodafone Turkey CEO Engin Aksoy says infra is in place, focus now on repositioning commercial approach to leverage 5G once live.
Venturing & InvestmentsDT and Porsche venture into autonomous construction tech
Jointly backed investment house Incharge Capital Partners joins funding round in US scaleup Bedrock Robotics, which focuses on automating machines used in construction.
Analyst BriefingDeutsche Telekomwatch: fibre trends hit home
Analyst Briefing: DT’s home-market broadband strategy continues to evolve, as the operator expands its FTTP footprint and enlists side-brand congstar and a new house-call team in a bid to boost sales. Fibre upsell may be being given more urgency by management as tough market conditions continue, and as regulators up prioritisation of copper shutdown as a catalyst for Gigabit uptake…
Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica to aid hyperscalers on infra, service compliance in Spain — report
Telco reportedly assisting Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle to ensure they maintain compliance with Spanish data and security regulations, amidst the Group’s broader push to deliver compliant and sovereign services in Europe…
PeoplewatchDigital Infra Peoplewatch: VIRTUS fills CEO role; Eutelsat selects connectivity lead
January 2026 edition: UK’s VIRTUS Data Centres installs ex-Global Switch exec at the helm; Open Dutch Fiber names ex-Eurofiber Netherlands boss as CEO; Deutsche Telekom installs CEOs for European towerco carve-outs; more…
Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom partners Google Cloud on AI-focused services overhaul
Telco to migrate its data platforms onto Google Cloud infra with the goal of developing new generative AI-based services in Africa, with customer service and network optimisation among initial focus areas…
Network & Infra2Africa consortium finishes up subsea infra build
Meta-led group of tech players completes construction of the infra behind 2Africa submarine network, marking a major milestone in one of largest international subsea projects…
Products & ServicesOrange gears up for D2D messaging launch in December
Orange France has teamed with Skylo to launch Message Satellite service before the end of 2025.
Network & InfraSubsea cables: Vodafone heads ‘off beaten track’ as hyperscalers muscle in on mainstream
Capacity Europe 2025: Vodafone’s Head of Global Infrastructure Owen Bryant considers the role telcos should play in transcontinental infra links as hyperscalers investment billions into subsea infra. Vodafone, for its part, is focused on ‘red’ markets that lie outside Google and Meta’s core interests…
B2BMásOrange seeks bigger enterprise role with Digital+O unit launch
Spanish telco launches new digital B2B services subsidiary to offer tailored digital transformation solutions to businesses, continuing its push to expand and develop new offerings in the segment…
Products & ServicesOpenAI eyes AI infra services play, taking on hyperscalers
Amidst estimates of a $50bn GPUaaS market accessible to telcos and Europe, and trillions in wider global AI investment, CFO Sarah Friar considers potential of OpenAI challenging hyperscalers from its own data centres, building infra experience, reducing reliance on third-parties, and retaining IP…
OperationsDT ‘holds keys’ to data sovereignty in Google Cloud migration
Operator is moving a swathe of data to Google Cloud with sovereignty controls engineered in partnership with T-Systems. It hopes to replicate the safeguards for other enterprises in regulated industries.
B2BVodafone building SecOps platform with $1bn partner Google Cloud
Group cybersecurity architecture lead Emma Smith updates on the $1bn deal with Google Cloud as the pair work on security operations services for both internal and commercial users.
Network & InfraTelxius to collaborate with Google on new US-Spain subsea cable
Telefónica-backed subsea cable operator partners with Google and DC BLOX on a transatlantic route linking Spain to the Azores, Bermuda, and the USA. Move strengthens ties between Telxius and Google, following previous submarine collaborations…
Public AffairsUK’s AI Growth Zone strategy — fit for purpose?
In-depth: As the UK government opens up its AI Growth Zone initiative for formal applications, industry leaders debate the value, variously describing it as everything from ‘ridiculous’ to ‘ambitious’, and running the risk of ‘fetishising’ location and creating a ‘real mess’, as well as presenting opportunity for the UK on a global stage. Includes reporting from Connected North…