Core Markets
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Strategy & Change
Tower group SBA wants ‘visibility’ before voyaging into foggy Europe
Eurosceptic tower group plays down the prospect of any dealmaking to give it a regional presence, saying its M&A focus is on strengthening businesses within its existing footprint.
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Operations
O2 Germany CEO rules out me-too job cuts
Markus Haas says reducing workforce is not on the O2 agenda, instead placing focus on equipping employees with AI tools to boost efficiency. Comments come as Vodafone Germany continues to negotiate scaled-back job cut plans with unions. Read more…
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Products & Services
Europe’s petri dish: Spain’s incumbents caught in price war with converged challengers
Fixed and mobile challengers forcing Spain’s Big Two into balancing act of retaining customers while maintaining profitability. Freshly unbound Vodafone Spain strategically re-positioning as enabler and challenger, while MásOrange and Telefónica España tease premium sweeteners. Read more…
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Strategy & Change
Brazil’s Vivo gets Central Bank nod to expand in fintech
Central Bank of Brazil grants licence for operator to expand credit and insurance products and grow its presence in the fintech space.
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Public Affairs
MásOrange angers Spanish unions with plan for 795 voluntary job cuts
After eight months of operation, the Spanish joint venture of Orange Spain and MásMóvil wants to weed out workforce duplication with plans to cut 795 jobs but faces resistance from national trade unions.
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Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: Spain puts more rural 5G cash on the table
Telefónica España among operators eligible for extra public funding to expand 5G SA services in rural parts of the country.
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Weekly Briefings
Deutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: T-Mobile’s laser focus
American NatCo highlights partnerships geared towards expanding fibre reach and strengthening 5G platform.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica CEO pledges commitment to Brazil after meet-up with president
José María Álvarez-Pallete expresses confidence in Brazil’s telecoms market during trip to meet the country’s President.
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Network & Infrastructure
Spain launches second 5G SA funding call
Spain opens bidding for second edition of UNICO-5G Redes Activas programme, providing €87.69m initially to accelerate 5G standalone rollout in additional rural areas of the country.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone firms up 1&1 deal; start of huge user transfer ‘near’
Vodafone Germany to begin carrying 1&1 traffic from later this week, as part of national roaming tie-up announced last year.
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Strategy & Change
O2 Germany revives Simyo B-brand as discount push continues
Mobilezone partnered to resurrect budget brand, continuing commercial aggression as O2 seeks to fill void left by 1&1 contract loss. Strategy shift yet to materially deliver, however. Read more…
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Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: spotlight on networks in largest OpCos
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: questions remain over Vi 4G rollout strategy; 5G success reputed in Germany; and shared services momentum builds, months after Accenture-backed division launch…
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Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: O2 Germany reinforces wholesale defences with Freenet deal
German operator confirms extended wholesale agreement with MVNO as it seeks to fill in future free cash flow hole left by loss of 1&1 deal.
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Network & Infrastructure
Chided over landmass coverage, Germany’s MNOs flaunt 5G prowess
Report from comparison site Verivox throws shade on 5G coverage by geographic area in Germany.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Germany’s Freenet rejigs MNO partnerships as discount competition hots up
The German player has signed new agreements with all three MNOs but says O2 deal offers greater revenue-share benefits.
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Weekly Briefings
Deutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: Europe ‘not so anti-growth after all’
After several major, US-side buyouts this year, Group indicates some M&A budget could be portioned out to Europe too, as regional performance remains solid and DT prepares fresh medium-term strategy.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica gets to plugging Core Market wholesale gaps
Operator seeks to lock in key wholesale clients and create new revenue sources after management affirms wholesale will “be a drag” on 2024 performance.
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Financial & Performance
1&1 claims build momentum despite more network snags
German operator has now installed antennas and fibre connectivity at 546 sites, although supply challenges remain. Read more…
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M&A
Telefónica firms up MásOrange 5G spectrum buy — report
Group said to have finalised terms to acquire 3.5GHz spectrum from newly-merged operator as part of post-merger asset fine-tuning.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica Q2 FY24 Highlights: ‘Confident’ Group credits Core Markets catalysts
Initiatives unveiled in Q1 already bearing fruit, as Group affirms it remains on track to meet end-year financial objectives. Read more…