All TelcoTitans.com articles in Telefónicawatch #150
View all content from this Issue.
-
Digital ReportsTelefónicawatch Report #150 – January-February 2021
Key stories include: Telefónica wields political power | European giants back open RAN | Canonical rules in Brazil | CX focus for España board | Amdocs boosts BSS presence
-
Strategy & ChangeÁlvarez-Pallete gets political as challenges grow
Quiet support for a boardroom coup at Prisa indicates Telefónica’s political muscles as business priorities coincide with larger social challenges. Telefónica supporting government recovery goals, but lobbying for a more favourable investment environment as 5G auction looms. Group emphasising its Europe role as Latin America retreat sees grumbling.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsWayra backed LinkApi lands a buyer
Telefónica’s Brazilian scale-up hothouse exits LinkApi through Semantix acquisition. Wayra continues transition to later-stage startups with fourth exit in just over a year.
-
Strategy & ChangePlay axed from Telefónica Mexico’s content offering
OB opting to strengthen alliances with other OTT players instead of building out own video content platform. Movistar Play remains live in a host of other Latin American markets, but ambitious growth targets across LatAm far off realisation.
-
M&AOi firms up mobile deal, Vivo reinforces its market lead
Oi finalises mobile asset sale to three-strong consortium of Claro, TIM Brasil, and Vivo. Oi CFO: regulatory approval expected within the year. Trifecta of assets now divested by in-administration Oi as it seeks route to recovery via fibre.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsTwo Movistar Money ventures set for take-off
Consumer finance business green-lighted for launch in Colombia, enabling Group to extend partnership with stakeholder BBVA. Telco also heading trials of similar personal loan service in Mexico, with Banco Sabadell on the scene. Both moves continue recent refresh of Telefónica’s financial services partnerships.
-
-
Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica, Vodafone-backed Loon discontinued
Venture falls foul of harsh winds of reality, failing to reach commercial viability.
-
Premiumgiffgaff embraces AWS public cloud
Telefónica UK’s sub-brand MVNO goes “all-in on AWS”. Move accelerates product development. Years-long effort required changes in processes and skills.
-
Network & InfrastructureO2 UK battles for 5G leadership
O2 UK flags 5G coverage expansion, matching rivals by some metrics. Apparent rollout successes come ahead of further delayed UK spectrum auction, now pushed back to March. 5G Create partnership indicates continued innovation effort.
-
PremiumCanonical and Netcracker flag new Vivo contracts
CIO Kriger reveals progress with key IT projects Fusión and Pandora as part of ongoing work to upgrade Telefónica|Vivo’s systems.
-
PremiumTelefónica agrees to monetise Cornerstone
Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Uncertain how Group’s top brass will proceed, but partial or full sale seems likely.
-
PremiumO2 and Sky test 5G broadcast in live sport event
5G smartphones capture handball Bundesliga action for Sky’s live broadcast.
-
PremiumO2 gets in on “grey spot” action with DT and Vodafone
O2 boasts of bilateral site sharing agreements with its rivals that are expected to expand 4G coverage to hundreds of previously underserved rural locations. Agreement reached as German watchdog only approves existing DT and Vodafone grey spot partnership on condition that O2 is brought into the fold.
-
Network & InfrastructureTelefónica joins European peers in open RAN push
Signs MoU with Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone. Aim is to generate greater economies of scale for smaller suppliers through common procurement parameters. Lobbying European governments for open RAN funding high on the agenda. Telefónica makes open RAN advances in Germany, UK.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: ElevenPaths banks growth in Spain
Telefónica Tech’s IoT & Big Data unit tags contract extensions, while ElevenPaths expands its Spanish order book.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesAmdocs continues LatAm transformation
System services provider Amdocs further extended its Movistar Chile partnership to cover wireline and wireless services, mirroring Brazilian precedent set in 2019. eSIM management platform added on top.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Hispanoamérica: Peru penalties laid bare
Telefónica Peru remains on naughty step. Play axed from Telefónica Mexico’s content offering.
-
PremiumElsewhere in Telefónica’s Core Markets: O2 commits to roaming
Regulation relaxed in Spain. O2 commits to roaming. Vivo signs renewables deal.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Group: dev facilities in Catalonia
Support for Spanish as an AI language, research on IoT for agriculture, and applications of technology for social causes explored.