Telefónica Group – Page 46
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Public Affairs
Alierta era scandal still haunting Telefónica
Telefónica pays €6m into court to cover potential civil liabilities linked to trial of disgraced former advisor Rodrigo Rato. Newspaper speculation portrays Rato’s co-defendant, former Telefónica counsel Sánchez de Lerín, as “the man with the briefcase of secrets” linked to the telco. Rato litigation an ongoing hangover from earlier ...
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M&A
Telefónica mulls Movistar Plus+ options as Vivendi circles
Vivendi reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. French media group seeking approval to increase Prisa stake to 29.9%. Telefónica seeking advice as pay-TV customers drain away in Spain.
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M&A
Oi mobile sale hits another road bump
Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) representative at antitrust regulator CADE gives thumbs down to proposed sale of Oi Group’s mobile assets to Telefónica|Vivo, Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. Non-binding decision cites competition concerns and recommends “administrative proceedings” to investigate collusion among trio to exclude other interested companies. Oi says ...
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Premium
Telefónica people moves: Colombian fibre JV names leadership
Telefónica Colombia’s fibre-building joint venture with KKR launches with a familiar top-team. Collaborative initiatives see Group execs take board seats at GSMA and IndesIA. VM O2 continues to make sweeping changes to senior leadership, with former O2 UK execs Bailey and Soto finding new roles elsewhere.
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Network & Infrastructure
VM O2 seeks partners for £1bn fibre rollout
Telefónica and Liberty Global said to be contacting investors soon. Move would underpin aim to turn JV into “national fixed–mobile champion” to rival BT. Reports say VM O2 wants to bring fibre to seven million extra homes.
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Content & TV
Telefónica eyeing new industrial partners for Movistar+
Early-stage consideration reportedly underway on partnership that would see Telefónica bring in new investor for domestic pay-TV platform and international production interests. North American Spanish-language media merger may provide template for closer links between platforms and content. Movistar+ rebranding underway to further differentiate service from core offerings.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Telefónica Group: Álvarez-Pallete’s “digital slavery” warning
Álvarez-Pallete issues stark warning over “digital slavery”; Group connects to Wi-Fi network.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica handed EC fine for Brazilian non-compete deal
Decade-long proceedings close with Telefónica — along with Pharol — ordered to hand over €79m for antitrust breach. European Commission findings upheld despite yo-yoing, with final charge held for Telefónica and down slightly for Pharol.
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Operations
Staff start exit as Telefónica redundancies tallied
More than 2,000 applications come in for early retirement. Operator rejected 105 requests
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Network & Infrastructure
Submarine cable vulnerabilities surface
Malicious threats loom, but accidental damage more common. Russian aggression, underwater volcanoes, fishing and anchoring roil subsea cable networks. Difficult to prevent damage, resiliency is best protection.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica e-learning unit rehoused to target enterprise
Telefónica Educación Digital moves under Group’s Filiales unit, alongside the likes of the Prosegur Alarmas JV and retail manager Telyco. Reorganisation said to benefit business’s enterprise ambitions. Digital education solutions and services cropping up across Telefónica’s Spanish operation.
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Premium
Telefónica actions inflation-linked pricing
Virgin Media O2 customers to face steepest rise in broadband and mobile prices, but all UK customers will be impacted. 11% price hike in April a necessary part of network investment, VM O2 spokesperson claims.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra continues blockchain drive with ‘climate marketplace’ investment
Telefónica’s innovation hub takes part in €7m Pre-Series-A round. ClimateTrade utilises blockchain tech to help its clients reach carbon neutrality.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica’s PangeaCo begins operations in Peru
Telefónica appears to have failed to find an investor for the Peruvian FibreCo. Political situation may have complicated efforts to find a partner.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica issues further €5.5bn in green bonds
ESG remains in the Telefónica spotlight with more refinancing at the Group. Decarbonisation and increased executive diversity the criteria for success. Group edges closer to €10bn total volume ambition.
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Public Affairs
Ofcom details O2 UK ‘carelessness’ in billing investigation
Regulator publishes 74-page document highlighting the extent of O2 UK feet-dragging in its investigation as to why the operator overcharged customers during a seven-year period. Demands O2 UK review its processes and systems to ensure accuracy and completeness of responses to information requests in future. Restates view that £150,000 ...
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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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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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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.