All articles by Cameron Page
-
M&ACordiant gets thumbs up for Belgian data centre acquisition
Irish investment group teams up with Belgium’s TINC to form merged infrastructure player, comprising Datacenter United and Proximus’ data centre arm. Pair seeking to capture cost synergies and create economies of scale to drive “long-term” value for investors…
-
M&AIndia: is Vodafone back?
Does UK group’s move to up stake in #3 MNO mark re-commitment after years of backing off? Follows recent upbeat developments at Vi, pending 5G reboot, and strong run for local economy. Read more…
-
Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: fibre boosts across Europe; space deals in the shadows
Latest from EMEA Infra: UK FibreCos hit key footprint expansion milestones, with Openreach to fuel programme with fresh Project Gigabit funds; MásOrange and Vodafone Spain firm up fibre venture in Spain; Amazon and SpaceX said to prepare government fibre deals in Italy and UK; more…
-
Partnerships & AlliancesEx-Vodafone chief Colao cautions Italy against SpaceX alliance
Former Vodafone CEO and Italian government minister Vittorio Colao urges EU to focus on developing member state-owned satellite constellations to avoid strategic dependence on foreign providers. Comments come after reports that Italian gov is working on a fresh comms pact with Elon Musk’s SpaceX…
-
M&AVi and Airtel sell out of troubled Wi-Fi joint venture
Indian operator duo sell 100% of Firefly Networks, bringing in around INR 45m each. Move comes as latest split between Vodafone and Airtel following Indus Towers stake sale. Read more…
-
Network & InfrastructureAmazon shuttles towards UK Project Kuiper launch in 2025
Kuiper Systems preparing to commercially launch UK satellite broadband services during 2025, following launch of first-generation satellites expected in the coming months. Move comes as demand for UK satellite connectivity ramps up as rural alternative to full-fibre…
-
Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: fresh infra deals unwrapped; new execs take the reins
Group secures agreements to upgrade mobile and IT in Germany, Peru, and Spain. In Brazil, Vivo finalises long-sought-after deal to ease financial and regulatory obligations associated with fixed-line telephony…
-
PeopleTelefónica Peoplewatch: Bluevía names fresh CEO to manage strategy transition
Recent strategic and senior leadership changes at Telefónica include Group CTIO Enrique Blanco and strategy lead Mark Evans preparing to step down from Executive Committee in early-2025; and Spain fibre JV Bluevía appointing new CEO…
-
Network & InfrastructureTelefónica Peru kicks off major mobile network upgrade
Struggling operator gears up for 5,000-tower upgrade programme, seeking to drive new efficiencies, improve customer experience, and get infrastructure ready for future 5G…
-
PeopleTelefónica Vice-Chairman Javier Echenique dies at 74
Operator’s CEO Álvarez-Pallete laments loss of Echenique in same year as death of former Group Chairman César Alierta.
-
Financial & PerformanceSynergy-seeking Vivo employs PwC as new auditor
Vivo becomes third ‘core’ Telefónica operating business to select PwC for auditing services, dropping contract with Baker Tilly. Unit claims the move will enable increased operational synergies, and better aligns Vivo with Group’s other core interests. Read more…
-
Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: rivals crash Group’s regulatory party; networks to get autonomous upgrade
Group CEO José María Álvarez-Pallete calls for greater deregulation in Europe despite seeing rays of hope shining through, as recent regulatory wins in Colombia and Spain grind to a halt. Meanwhile, Telefónica’s networks set to gain further autonomy starting in 2025. Read more…
-
Network & InfrastructureSpain’s big-three take home extra rural 5G SA cash — report
MásOrange, Telefónica España, and Vodafone Spain reportedly share financing from second UNICO-5G Redes Activas tender, enabling operators to build more than 9,000 new 5G SA sites in rural areas. Read more…
-
OperationsVirgin Media O2 cuts ribbon on new Paddington HQ
Operator opens doors on new Paddington facility, after renovation to support transfers from previous Hammersmith and Slough offices. Move follows other office changes in recent months, as VM O2’s leases approach their expiration dates…
-
Network & InfrastructureTelefónica shifts autonomous networks strategy into fourth gear
Network and systems operations lead says Group is seeking to evolve many autonomous network PoCs into minimum viable products starting in 2025, as it seeks to accelerate its journey towards Level 4 autonomy. Read more…
-
Public AffairsColombia delays Telefónica reprieve in network licence dispute
Operator faces pushback from Colombian government after being on the verge of winning long-running legal dispute. Delay in the resolution process comes at critical moment for Telefónica’s Colombian operations, as it seeks to exit the market…
-
Products & ServicesTelefónica's confidence on display with Spain price increases — report
Operator reportedly preparing to implement annual price increases at the start of 2025, with similar hikes as seen in January 2024. Convergence, SIM-only, and TV services included in move, which marks display of confidence from Telefónica as rivals attempt to up the competition from rivals. Read more…
-
Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica eyes insurtech expansion after Repihogar investment
Group claims contribution to €500,000 funding round for Argentine insurtech player, made through Íope Ventures unit, is part of ongoing investment in fintech space. Operator also seeks to enable commercial synergies between Repihogar and other portfolio businesses. Read more…
-
Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: AI cauldron keeps bubbling; Peru remains troubling
Group to conjure up fresh AI use-cases in Madrid alongside the government, with hopes of finding new implementations in public sector. Things are less rosy in Peru, where the operator is set to call off its new FibreCo joint venture with Entel and KKR. Read more…
-
PeopleTelefónica Peoplewatch: Tech reshuffles management to aid expansion
20+ senior and strategic leadership changes at Telefónica, including digital B2B services unit naming new BizApps and cybersecurity leaders; Mallik Rao adding enterprise to tech mission; and new Chilean B2B director landing a spot at Spain’s chamber of commerce in Chile…