Venturing & InvestmentsWayra opens wallet for security startup Gabriel
£8.8m total funding raised in Series‑A round. Startup eyeing growth opportunities in domestic market and beyond. Telefónica teaming up on the distribution of home security solutions in LatAm.
- M&A
Telefónica mulling Spanish infra stake sale?
Rumours circulate that Group is discussing fibre monetisation in Spain. Between five and ten funding vehicles reportedly put hats in the ring, as Group sounds out market interest. Sale speculation comes despite Telefónica classing its Spanish fibre infrastructure as a “strategic asset”.
- Venturing & Investments
Wayra adds e-sports brains to portfolio with Wiper buy-in
Wayra Family unit makes co‑investment in Spanish ed‑tech platform developer Wiper Gaming. Investment likely to be in line with previously mooted “up‑to‑€2m” commitment.
M&A
Telefónica’s El Salvador sale under review by regulator
$144m deal cannot go ahead without authorisation. SC has 90 business days to reach a decision.
Venturing & Investments
DT’s RAN buddy Cellwize gets HPE investment
Automated RAN platform provider and Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners’ investment Cellwize takes cash injection from Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Pathfinder venturing programme.
Operations
Telefónica turning Madrid HQ into digital skills factory
Group ups corporate social responsibility efforts by dedicating real estate to societal pursuit of digital adaption. Talent Hub aims to re-skill 100,000 people per year. Internal skills upgrade high on Group agenda.
M&A
Telefónica sells El Salvador unit at the second attempt
Honduran financiers acquire Telefónica El Salvador for a cut‑price $144m following breakdown of negotiations with América Móvil in 2020. Move completes Telefónica’s exit from Central America.
Products & Services
Fortinet secures Telefónica SD‑WAN for hybrid work era
Telefónica Tech launches evolved flexWAN proposition, addressing the cybersecurity demands of ‘new normal’ hybrid working. Longstanding security partner Fortinet tapped for updated offering. Spain first, rest of Telefónica footprint to follow. Fortinet ups engagement with telco players.
Telefónicawatch Report #157 – September 2021
Key stories include: Evans elevated in top team tinkering | Uruguay exit mooted in Hispam trim | Group working on sat-based IoT | FiBrasil beefs up with buyout | Peruvian politics pondered
Telefónicawatch Report #156 – August 2021
Key stories include: Infra converts to cash | IBM clouds build | Tech bulks up | Movistar+ hits refresh | VM O2 preps for fibre
Telefónicawatch Report #155 – June 2021
Key stories include: Telefónica Tech could sidestep UK JV | Union deal sees COVID work rethink | Vivo preps move to standalone 5G | Spanish rivals’ Canal+ case sinks | Prosegur relationship expands to LatAm
