Telefónica News
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M&ACould Telefónica hold key in Prisa power play?
Manoeuvring said to be taking place around Telefónica’s residual holding in media group. Group reportedly open to selling 9.4%‑stake but not at any price.
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M&A
Cellnex open to Telxius grab
TowerCo CEO talks up prospect of acquiring stake in Group’s infrastructure business. Idea of Telefónica-Cellnex tie mooted previously — and not totally quashed.
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Venturing & Investments
Innovation in the crosshairs: Wayra X and Wayra Builder launched
Wayra marks tenth birthday with launch of all‑digital hub Wayra X. Innovation arm looking beyond Telefónica footprint. Wayra Builder released to target tie‑ups with external investors for internal tech spin‑outs.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Drillisch soldiers on with roaming talks
Prospective MNO confirms it is seeking one national roaming agreement. DT’s Höttges questions whether potential rival is serious about building its own 5G network. Talks with Telefónica described as ‘constructive’.
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Venturing & Investments
New Wayra investment targeting AI at self‑checkout snags
Longstanding Group partner leads investment round in AI-powered checkout solution player Proppos. Food tech-focused startup has designs on international expansion.
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Public Affairs
Telefónica Peru defends new city unit amid Twitter storm
Caught in political cross‑fire, Peruvian operating business fends off flak over award of telecoms concession.
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Innovation (R&D)
Telefónica-backed vehicle-testing lab flags new intake
V2X lab being put to use, with startups testing LiDAR , AI, and blockchain-based solutions in the hope of accelerating path to market. Telco affiliation part of five-strong cohort.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: the startups to watch
Five standout startups driving UK 5G innovation. UK government helping underwrite. Regional initiatives open floor to smaller operators (MNOs in the wings).
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Products & Services
Telefónica’s alarms JV turns up sales volume
Telefónica’s home security JV in Spain shows signs of customer growth after initial launch was hindered by pandemic.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra helping UK government target LatAm tech scaleups
Entrepreneurs in Wayra’s Hispam footprint to compete in the Scaleup to UK 2021 programme. Doors opened to UK authorities and Wayra specialists to kickstart UK expansion.
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Public Affairs
Brazil’s telcos don’t play ball with US Clean Network plan
Mobile network operators refuse to meet senior US official to discuss exclusion of Huawei’s 5G kit. Telefónica’s snub at odds with Group, an apparent supporter of the Clean Network initiative.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra joins €2.5m ticket for rural Wi‑Fi partner
Wi‑Fi solution startup Galgus closes Series‑A funding round led by Conexo Ventures, with Wayra investing too. Galgus is a Telefónica partner on public Wi‑Fi in under‑served areas.
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People
Latest Telefónica moves: Global Solutions restructured
Telefónica Insurance names a Director General as it expands its footprint. Telefónica Global Solutions rejig makes an impact. 4iQ gets new CEO well‑versed in strategic sales. A shift in UK SMB leads.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica bulks up cybersecurity unit with Brazilian assets
Group further sharpens its focus on security services.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: projects, testbeds and trials
Inaugural DCMS 5G funding established testbeds across the UK: hubs for future 5G‑enabled innovation. £200m funding pledged by 2022.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: Rural Connected Communities
5G set to be leverages to improve the connectivity in rural, underserved areas across the UK. Rural nature sees telco participation lacking; regional operators pick up the slack. Startups and SMEs in the picture.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: Industrial 5G
Three projects to build next‑generation connectivity into UK industry. O2 and Vodafone take the lead. Universities make up significant proportion of consortia.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: 5G Create
DCMS‑funded projects take £16m in grants for 5G use‑cases. Automation, broadcasting, and XR among the technologies. BT, O2, and Three participate.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: West Midlands 5G
WM5G was established by the West Midlands Combined Authority and DCMS, with the DCMS promising more than £20m of investment by March 2022.
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Innovation (R&D)
UK 5G innovation: Scotland 5G Centre
The S5GC was established as a 5G development hub and is chaired by former BT executive Julie Snell. Attracted £5.3m Scottish government investment, to expire in 2022.
