Strategy & Change
Agents of change: Orange CIO Vermeulen spells out risks and rewards of AI
DTW Ignite: Koen Vermeulen says the use of AI agents will compress software development cycles and bring fundamental changes for telcos, removing constraints if bottlenecks are avoided.
Orangewatch: Q1 figures, a revised SFR bid, and progress on taking back MásOrange
Analyst Briefing: Orange claims “very good” first quarter results, makes a fresh offer for distressed rival SFR, and signs a takeover deal for fibreco Scorefit…
Spanish government green lights Telefónica-led Gigafactory bid
Spanish government gives the go-ahead for public-private venture that will lead European AI Gigafactory project. Private shareholders include Telefónica, ACS, and Santander.
‘We’re built different’: how disruptive Digi is putting unorthodox group ethos into practice in Spain
In depth: Digi Spain has adopted its parent group’s ‘radical pricing model’ and industrial approach to build a vertically integrated challenger to Spain’s three established telecoms players. The result has been successive years of 20%-plus top line growth, an expanding share of the market, and a platform for the group to extend its disruptive playbook to other European markets.
Vodafone Spain progresses dramatic, private equity-led turnaround
Spain’s number three telco has more than doubled margin in the two years since being sold by Vodafone to investment group Zegona Communications, again raising a question mark over strategy under its previous owner. Having proved its buy-fix-sell transformation model, Zegona is now eyeing other acquisition targets…
France Peoplewatch: MásOrange CEO brought into ExCo fold; Utiq selects new chief
Latest senior and strategic people moves in the French telecoms and digital infra sectors, including a new CEO at telco adtech venture Utiq, MásOrange chief Meinrad Spenger joining the Orange Group Executive Committee, and Iliad CEO Thomas Reynaud retaining a seat on the Tele2 board.
The $5bn travel eSIM revolution: disruptors, unicorns, and the MNO fightback
MVNOs World: Kaleido Intelligence identifies exponential growth in the travel eSIM segment, with momentum fuelled by perception of MNO gouging and lack of pricing clarity. Operators are mitigating this challenge to roaming revenues by hedging bets with investments in disruptors, wholesale MVNO deals, and more transparent international travel plans.
Telco adtech venture Utiq crowns new CEO
Will Harmer to take over adtech venture between Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone, tasked with driving further multi-platform adoption of ‘cookie-less’ advertising consent platform and forming fresh telecoms partnerships …
Orange takes big steps forward on French, Spanish M&A
Orange has advanced its European M&A agenda, completing the full acquisition of MásOrange in Spain and moving forward a complex three-way deal to dismantle SFR in France. The competitive dynamics of both markets are being reshaped…
French telco trio finally secures €20.35bn deal to buy rival SFR
Following weeks of complex negotiations, Bouygues Telecom, Iliad, and Orange make a final push over the weekend and wrap up an agreement with SFR owner Altice France.
Orange activates Via Tunisia system, continues subsea cable expansion
Operator’s Via Tunisia subsea cable enters ready-for-service mode, as it moves to strengthen connectivity between Europe and Africa. System also supports Orange’s data centre interconnection ambitions…
Orange cloud boss highlights need for AI ‘blueprint’ to drive tech’s traction
Philippe Ensarguet sees organisational change, not technology, as the biggest barrier to AI adoption at scale.
Orange presses ahead with XGS-PON in Poland
Orange has also prioritised bringing the 10Gbps‑capable technology to the high‑performing fibre markets of France and Spain.
Sensing opportunity (and risk): will ISAC drive or drain next-gen network RoI?
Analysis: Telcos are exploring how a combination of growing military spend and the emergence of new integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) capabilities could generate new revenue growth opportunities, particularly around applications such as drone detection. But will operators be able to balance demand for high-performance solutions from the armed forces with their own commercial economics?
Iliad in bullish mood despite SFR talks dragging on
Q1 FY26: CEO hails a “good” first quarter for the group, in contrast to takeover target SFR. Expansion of AION Gigafactory consortium also highlighted…
SFR takeover talks enter extra time as Altice extends deadline
French telco trio Bouygues Telecom, Iliad, and Orange have been handed another three weeks to agree on a deal that satisfies Altice demands, with uncertainty lingering about the likelihood of an agreement…
Orange beefs up cyberdefence business with Spanish expansion
French operator continues to bet on security and sovereignty as a path to B2B revival, in turbulent times, with the opening of new cybersecurity hubs in Barcelona and Madrid. The move also sees Orange continuing to build closer links with soon-to-be-consolidated Spanish business MásOrange.