Virgin Media O2 – Page 14
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PremiumVM O2 bites bullet and pledges fibre future
A future upgrade of VM O2 fixed infrastructure will see coaxial cable edged out and fibre deployed throughout the operator’s footprint. Switching to XGSPON instead of DOCSIS 4.0 pricy, but manageable within modest budgets and with multiple longer term benefits. Pragmatic approach to fibre is partly driven by the ...
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: Prautzsch takes helm at German FibreCo
Telefónica Infra’s fibre JV with Allianz fills out management positions, drawing on Telefónica insiders. Ayucar and Martínez take CTO roles in the Digital Consumer & Data Office. Vivo rotates Operations and Wholesale leadership.
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Venturing & InvestmentsShopper tracking startup earns Wayra investment and O2 deal
Wayra UK dials up London-based startup’s already substantial financing. Investment sets the stage for a “multi-million-pound” retail partnership with the Group’s UK operator.
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M&AIn detail: Liberty and Telefónica’s VM-O2 pre-nup
Three-year wait expected before a potential IPO of new joint venture, while both parties expected to remain involved in the business for at least five years. Telefónica reserving its right to go it alone in UK on IoT, cloud, and cybersecurity services. Liberty to get a board presence at ...
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PremiumQ1 FY21: final coronavirus quarter packs a punch
Spain and Germany OBs stabilise as first wave of coronavirus shocks works its way through results. Vivo displaying underlying strength, but currency fluctuations continue to turn positives to negative. With strong returns on falling revenue O2 UK bows out as a ‘core four’ market Hispam edges back into the ...
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PremiumO2 data centres cool off with fresh air
Data centre upgrade reduces carbon emissions. New fresh air cooling equipment, paired with software from EkkoSense, used to keep data centres cool. “Radical” system supports O2’s pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2025.
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M&AVM-O2 sets sights on BT as merger gets final clearance
CMA’s final approval should see deal completed by 1 June. Owners trumpeting investment opportunities with fibre InfraCo potential coming to the fore.
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Strategy & ChangeCornerstone exit could be early item on VM-O2 agenda
Indications made that prospective JV’s Cornerstone stake seen as non-strategic, and could be jettisoned in name of “national champion” Grand Plan. Sale would raise cash for higher strategic ambition of fibre expansion. Liberty “gearing up” for talks with partners to team up on Gigabit rollout. Fries showing willingness to ...
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M&ACMA doubts bundle demand as it greenlights VM-O2
Provisional clearance of merger based on limited ability of the partners to manipulate wholesale pricing and services in their favour. Creation of a new fixed-mobile giant not expected to unleash a sudden surge towards single-contract multi-play bundles in the UK market.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: senior strategic appointments at Hispam
Ancelovici and Caballero named Directors at Telefónica Hispam to lead business intelligence and development at the regional division. Competition policy head named at Group level. A new R&D CFO in Chile.
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Network & InfrastructureVirgin Media preps Lightning for post-JV world
Liberty Global confident of JV clearance, and anticipates Telefónica talks on ambitious and aggressive fixed-line rollout. Liberty’s Sky relationship appears key, with prospects for collaboration heightened by a friendly face at the helm. Meanwhile, Virgin Media appears to be finally embracing PIA from Openreach for cheaper fibre rollout.
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M&AWholesale power under scrutiny as CMA reviews VM-O2
Proposed JV’s ability to tilt backhaul market in its favour and limit opportunities for MVNOs will be central to competition review. The impact of the deal on the development of providers offering fixed-mobile bundles will receive particular scrutiny. CMA wields new powers post-Brexit, but this is accompanied by greater ...
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M&AVestager: Brexit complicates O2-VM competitions ruling
European Competition Commissioner signals openness to allowing CMA to oversee the review of O2’s proposed merger with Virgin Media History, and the appeal of the EC being able to reassert its views on market consolidation, may still point to Europe asserting its prerogative however. O2 and Virgin Media see ...
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica’s core markets: Nokia and Juniper pick up gigs
Vivo into loans; Juniper picked for 5G backhaul security; Nokia wins UK SDM.
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M&AFries and Álvarez-Pallete: two minds on UK JV
While Telefónica and Liberty said to be on same page on O2–Virgin Media integration, respective chiefs hinted at varying concerns and strategic priorities linked to the progress of the JV.
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M&ANew Three boss snipes at O2–Virgin merger
Finnegan doubtful on merits of O2–Virgin Media deal, but bullish on leading further UK consolidation.
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PremiumTelefónica: Elsewhere in core markets
O2 Banking charge on the horizon. OBs find silver linings in pandemic response.
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PremiumQ2 FY20 first take: Telefónica distracts as reality bites
Another social pact unveiled as COVID-19 and currency falls combine to wipe €1.5bn off reported revenue, and shred profitability. Cash generation a priority as strict — and seemingly permanent — spending and investment restrictions are put in place. Telefónica Infra ambition emerging as plans for new wholesale fibre networks ...
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Network & InfrastructureO2 gives 4G a pre-tie-up top-up
UK operating business seeks to bolster “national champion” pitch ahead of Virgin Media merger. Focus is on eliminating 4G ‘not-spots’ and boosting 4G and 5G coverage at tourist attractions.