EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 163
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Public AffairsBT slammed for lack of action on spoofing
IP altnet pokes incumbent over limited success in rooting out fraudulent use of caller ID. BT focused on industry collaboration to address fraud challenge. Migration to all-IP by 2025 portrayed as critical to effective remedies for the problem.
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M&AMagyar Telekom divests healthcare subsidiary
Hungarian NatCo’s T-Systems Hungary business has divested its Pan-Inform subsidiary. Unit will be operated by the state following the deal’s conclusion in early-2022.
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M&AAmerican Tower “excited” by tower M&A in Europe
CFO flags possibility of “compelling things” happening in Europe’s tower scene. Cautions, however, that American Tower in no rush for dealmaking. Deutsche Telekom, Cellnex, Orange, and Vodafone also in the mix for tower M&A.
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PremiumSafaricom pushes back against monopoly complaints
CEO Peter Ndegwa tells rivals to focus on investments, not accusations. Hearing shows government support for Safaricom, which sees market dominance but not a monopoly.
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Network & InfrastructureAltnets prep fibre wholesale platforms to rival Openreach
Two platforms aim to create full-fibre marketplaces for altnets and resellers. Signs of confederation among the UK’s 80-plus altnets, as wholesale competition heats up. Platforms facilitate Project Gigabit wholesale mandates and One-Touch Switching.
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PremiumEmergency calls fault puts DT in spotlight
German emergency numbers 110 and 112 downed three times in as many months. Group CEO Höttges steps forward to accept responsibility.
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone’s Wibergh hails speedy integration of former Liberty assets
CTO said 1,000 people are involved in the four-market integration programme. Vodafone TV figures dipped in Germany because of COVID-19. Velocix is supporting GigaTV in Germany.
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Network & InfrastructureTPG cites 5G momentum in Aussie auction snub
Australian operator TPG Telecom did not pick up any blocks in the 900MHz auction, with CEO Berroeta claiming its portfolio is strong enough already. TPG’s 5G network live on 700MHz, with 26GHz trials underway. Rivals Optus and Telstra share the spoils in TPG’s absence.
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: VodaPay reaches million milestone
Vodacom flags one million downloads of VodaPay SuperApp since launch; Safaricom expands Baze VoD platform to include music streaming.
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PremiumSweden’s Netel flags fibre services deal
Swedish group looks set to support German NatCo’s accelerated fibre rollout. Germany offers fertile ground for fibre-focused supplier.
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone Spain cuts 33 fewer jobs than expected
Spanish OpCo said to have made 53 people redundant. 34 retail stores now being operated by external partners. Telefónica signals maximum jobs affected by early-retirement plan is now 2,753.
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PeopleMovistar Money JV rejigs leadership
Lending JV Telefónica Consumer Finance reshuffles board, with changes aligned to adjustments by Group and co-parent CaixaBank. Telefónica’s María Jesús Almazor swapped for Oscar Candiles as a JV representative.
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PremiumJoosub highlights opportunity for 5G FWA across Africa
Vodacom is readying networks for 5G across its footprint. 4G and 5G FWA likely to play a greater role than fibre in supporting broadband connectivity.
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M&ABT Sport mulls Discovery JV as DAZN buyout stalls
Discovery in talks with BT over sports broadcasting partnership. Deal would offer strong alternative to DAZN’s £600m buyout attempt.
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Ofcom sticks to its guns on paired 2.1GHz spectrum
Spanish operators to continue to pay “RTVE tax” into 2023; Ofcom stays firm on paired 2.1GHz spectrum pricing, but will consult further on unpaired 2.1GHz spectrum fees.
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PremiumElsewhere in Deutsche Telekom Group: DT a Samsung favourite
Samsung getting traction; DT forms collaborations on European lobbying and internet evolution; e-mobility subsidiary closes in on “future” taxis.
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PeopleDeutsche Post’s Frank Appel linked with DT chair
Deutsche Telekom’s long-running search for its next chairman looks set to come to a close before the end of the year, with Deutsche Post CEO Frank Appel rumoured to be leading the pack. DT CEO Tim Höttges reportedly to be given mandate extension.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone close to settling €2.4bn tax dispute with India
Group offers New Delhi a deal after retrospective tax legislation scrapped. Dispute harks back to Vodafone acquisition of Hutchison Essar in 2007. Indian stand-off has long cast a shadow over Group finances, despite recent legal victories.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDT venturing execs formalise digital infra vehicle
DTCP CEO Vento quietly launches Digital Transformation Capital Partners, an independent venturing unit with a European infrastructure bent. Shared management sees Vento and Klima at the helm, but new names also in leadership. Registrations in Germany, and Luxembourg, with Dutch assets in the portfolio.
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Network & InfrastructureSpaceMobile confirms slippage on BlueWalker 3 launch
Deployment of prototype satellite rescheduled for next summer. SpaceX-supported launch is precursor to integration and testing programme with Vodafone and other partner MNOs.