Microsoft (Azure) News
M&A
Investment groups flock towards Telefónica, Asterion data centre assets — report
Blackstone, Brookfield, PFA, Vauban, and Wren House among investors reportedly preparing offers for Spanish data centre player Nabiax.
OperationsTelefónica’s FiBrasil enhances OSS in open fibre take-up drive
Brazilian fibre JV with CDPQ highlights AI, automation, and open APIs as key technologies to lure new customers and tenants to neutral host network. Driving huge wins across sales and tenant onboarding. Learn more…
OperationsVodafone says multi-cloud strategy paying off
Vodafone seeks to keep “commercial tension” between the three biggest hyperscalers in multi-cloud approach, as Microsoft partnership adds more balance to the mix.
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: UK merger takes another twist; AI making ‘fundamental’ change
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including AI-led change affecting the entire industry; UK deal-making to appease merger detractors; spectrum wins in non-core markets; and more from satcomms, ESG startups, and South Africa’s High Court…
Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: direct-to-device investments; InfraCo independence; new network metrics
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including: investment in alternative connectivity technologies; infra spin-offs and data centre sales; coverage data fails; people moves; and plenty more…
Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: Spain rural, B2B offerings strengthened
Telefónica España secures more than half of domestic rural 5G standalone funding from the government, while local Microsoft relationship taken into the realm of enterprise management.
Products & ServicesTelefónica Tech bulks up Spanish enterprise portfolio with Microsoft tech
Operator harnesses Microsoft’s AI and cloud technology to deliver automation, business management, and customer experience tools in Spain, following launches in other markets. Move advances commercialisation of Tech’s ‘global service lines’, which form part of revenue growth strategy…
Weekly BriefingsDeutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: shoring up the home finances
Both sides of RoI equation in spotlight in key arena of German fixed broadband, as DT re-assesses market trends and continues search for ways to trim fibre rollout budget.
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: African infra in spotlight, Spanish retreat complete
Latest from Vodafone and its partners and interests as Spanish exit completes, Shared Ops leadership adjusted, and climate plans pushed back. In Africa, infra-sharing is on the cards, but Vodacom’s in-progress South African fibre deal faces backlash…
M&ATelefónica, Asterion ‘gearing up’ to put data centre asset in play
Bidding for data centre operator reportedly set to begin “in the coming weeks”, shortly after firming up major capacity expansion agreement with hyperscalers.
Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica extends Google Cloud deal into realm of AI
Group frames three-year extension and expansion of cloud services relationship with hyperscaler as a means to expand in B2B and accelerate digital transformation.
Products & ServicesVodafone’s TOBi chatbot gets a generative AI makeover from Microsoft
Vodafone reveals early progress with applying GenAI to advance customer experience transformation as part of strategic tie-up with Microsoft.
Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: Shares, spectrum, and security in the spotlight
Spanish state hits 10% Telefónica stake target after two-month ramp-up. Fresh alliances with Microsoft and domestic operator rivals bolstering cybersecurity, AI, and rural mobile initiatives. Elsewhere, UK prepares for mmWave spectrum auction. Read more…
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: nip and tuck all part of the plan, as CEO evinces optimism
In-depth analysis of FY23−24 results as Margherita Della Valle attempts to paint rosy picture of shrinking Group. Storm still to come in Germany, but Spanish exit secured, and confidence around UK merger prospects. Significant developments across (re-shaped) footprint include: changing leadership; strategic partnerships; and an M-PESA spin-off update…
Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica adds cybersecurity dimension to Microsoft alliance
Telefónica Tech integrates generative AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot for Security with its portfolio.
PeopleVodafone opts for SAP’s Auramo as new Business boss
SAP Chief Business Officer Marika Auramo to take Vodafone Business top-spot, completing Margherita Della Valle’s Executive Committee and adding more senior SAP expertise to the table.
Weekly BriefingsVodafonewatch Weekly: M&A success in Africa; funding milestone in India; Microsoft getting AI-cosy in Paddington
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: long-awaited acquisition in Tanzania that looks to be good business for Vodacom; initial answer to funding questions at Vi via Vodafone partner ABG; developments across the Group’s European operations; and more…
Financial & PerformanceDeutsche Telekom hits milestone in Systems reset
Group’s challenged enterprise IT division finally got back into positive cash flow territory in FY23, following a major portfolio overhaul by ex-CEO Adel Al-Saleh.
M&AVodafone’s Della Valle claims retrenchment is complete after Italian sale confirmed
CEO Margherita Della Valle has declared the Group’s Italy retreat to be the ‘final step’ of her right-sizing campaign, leaving it smaller but purportedly ready to chase growth in markets that matter. Deal prompts wholesale structural change stretching beyond Europe — ExCo swaps, B2B priorities, shared services overhaul — but Vodafone is left a far cry from its former superpower status…
InterviewBT Business ‘builds like fury’ to stitch Global Fabric together
CTO Colin Bannon tells TelcoTitans why the Group’s new platform is a “generational shift” in technology that required BT to ‘rip up old blueprints’. BT intends to take centre stage in a multi-cloud world, with partners in tow and customers lined up…
M&ATelefónica ‘hits pause’ on Nabiax sale amid Microsoft talks
Sale of Spanish data centre JV with Asterion Industrial Partners reportedly delayed again until end of summer-2024, as refreshed hyperscaler cloud deal holds potential to boost valuation.
Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica builds out Microsoft ties with AI, API deals
MWC: Group evolves relationship with tech giant through tie-ups over Kernel cognitive intelligence platform and GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative. Fresh initiatives line up neatly with three-year strategic targets. Read more…