Technology – Page 135
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People
BT’s new growth oriented Division X names leader
Former Sierra Wireless SVP Marc Overton appointed MD, Division X as BT Enterprise seeks solution-selling in high-growth verticals. Adjacent markets targeted by new unit, with Overton’s IoT specialism among the target technologies.
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Partnerships & Alliances
O2 Germany teams with Westenergie Breitband for fixed access
German operator signs up seventh wholesale partner. New deal with E.ON-owned provider also facilitated by Vitroconnect.
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Elsewhere in Openreach: Selley plays down fibre workforce concerns
Selley dampens workforce concerns; copper stop-sell rollout continues.
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People
Telefónica shuffles and slims security unit leadership
Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad takes on parent’s corporate leadership model. Changes to chairman and a handful of directors, with Group executives swapped for Tech names.
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M&A
T-Mobile US picks up rideshare advertiser Octopus
Adtech-focused Marketing Solutions division makes acquisition to expand marketers toolkit. Octopus Interactive to transition to T-Mobile network for device connectivity.
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Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom expands Lipa Mdogo Mdogo
Safaricom brings China’s Transsion into device financing fold; SODAQ teams with IoT.nxt; new Vodacom buddy Dark Fibre Africa goes on cost-cutting drive.
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People
DT moves AI beyond the lab with new lead
DT’s new head of AI, Jan Hofmann, signals broadening approach. Predecessor Claudia Pohlink takes on new role at Deutsche Bahn. Emphasis increasingly placed on AI-infused voice technology as a business enabler. Nemat giving thought to AI implications for society and suggests there should be a ‘Hippocratic Oath’ for AI ...
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Elsewhere in BT Global: Inflame under development for Enterprise
Epidemiological modelling brought onboard for AI-based cybersecurity solutions; BT builds Nokia’s SD-WAN.
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Public Affairs
Álvarez-Pallete warns of dangers of “digital slavery”
Telefónica Executive Chairman asserts that societal imbalance and data exploitation are risks that must be addressed as the world’s economies are digitised. Dire warnings of ‘slavery’ fit with Group commitments on creation of a digital rights framework that would see operators positioned as trusted partners.
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Public Affairs
Telco giants join iPhone encryption battle
Vodafone, Telefónica, and Orange add to voices calling for encryption technologies to be outlawed. EC asked to stop iPhones denying data access. Assertion comes amid wider controversy involving monitoring of illegal activity.
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ABB signs BT for wide ranging security and IoT deal
“Trusted partner” BT Global takes multi-national managed services deal. Automated, software-defined core platform with IoT and security focus set for deployment. Innovation collaboration commitment included.
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Network & Infrastructure
Peru’s IpT likes open RAN, but sees room for improvement
CTO of rural provider lauds lower energy consumption, shorter implementation times, compared with traditional 4G rollouts. Flags “some limitations” on capacity and scalability, however; “overall cost” of open RAN equipment still in same ballpark as kit from mainstream vendors.
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Elsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Nokia’s Baltic 5G RAN partnerships
Nokia picks up 5G RAN partnerships across the Baltics, and doubles up in Estonia.
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Innovation (R&D)
T-Labs taps Merantix for AI voice fraud detection
Deutsche Telekom’s research arm ties with natural language processing partner Merantix Labs to co-develop deepfake detection tool. Seen as a likely necessity for future AI robustness, and builds on broader voice tech from across the Group.
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Venturing & Investments
DT backs wireless asset tracking startup MonoLets
Group continues to build out IoT ecosystem with cash injection into US connected-label startup. hubraum flags system as potentially “really useful” add to DT’s IoT armoury.
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VM O2 completes UK Gigabit rollout
Connectivity now reaches 15.5 million homes. Company to invest further £10bn in next five years.
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EE climbs on board with BAI
EE and Three UK become first two operators to sign up for neutral host network. A further key element is enabled for the Emergency Services Network. Motorola Solutions appeals CMA decision to investigate dual role as Airwave and ESN supplier.
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Telefónica goes to market with enterprise 5G
Spanish 5G standalone network to be deployed in 2022. Three enterprise connectivity options to be available, including Private Dedicated 5G. Galicia emerges as most prolific region for 5G use-cases.
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Ericsson benefits from Huawei 5GC fade-out in Spain
Telefónica España reportedly awards contract to Swedish supplier for 5G core. Huawei gear apparently to be replaced, although unclear the extent of Ericsson’s installation. More than 50% of Ericsson R&D on 5GC done in Madrid.
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EE trudges on with Shared Rural Network progress
46 ‘fresh sites’ delivered under SRN programme. EE to upgrade a further 1,532 sites with 4G by 2024 in ‘partial not-spot’ phase.