EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 186
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Premium
Telefónica people moves: senior Vivo swaps
Vivo names executive changes including operations and talent directors. Wayra’s long-time leader Arias exits for Madrid VC. Truphone draws more tier-one expertise with former O2 UK Transformation Director promoted.
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Network & Infrastructure
Jansen now sees BT chasing 30 million premises with full-fibre
Extra five million presented as ‘infill’ and presumably more rural. Immediate competitive riposte to news of Virgin Media O2 FTTP retrofit, which it neatly doubles. Jansen says BT not concerned, but challenger altnets should be. No rush for fibre JV partner, but Jansen reveals a UK compatriot would be ...
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People
BT targets serial moderniser to back Jansen transformation
Strong media rumours emerged identifying former Royal Mail Chief Executive Adam Crozier as the likely Chairman-successor to du Plessis, reflecting continued pressure on BT to accelerate restructuring. Crozier would come with little direct digital background, but considerable experience of shaking up venerable institutions, and with recent experience linked to ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
Sky “fundamental” to BT Sport strategic partnerships
As BT’s sports broadcasting division hunts for minority investors or strategic partners, CEO Jansen puts Sky tie-up front and centre. ITV backs away from chipping in, but remains keen on partnership.
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Suppliers & SCM
VPC’s Wilson praises Lenovo for help in pandemic crisis
Ninian Wilson impressed by Lenovo’s ability to meet “huge demand” for laptops when Vodafone call-centre operatives needed to work from home during lockdown. Extends existing Lenovo contract as reward: “when people help you in a crisis you don’t forget”.
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M&A
Rakuten acquires Telefónica open RAN investment
Rakuten to acquire Altiostar, Telefónica minority investment and “partner of choice”. Telefónica relationship with the US-based open RAN specialist extends beyond stake holding, with collaboration in network development and deployment in Europe and Latin America.
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Premium
Vodacom optics take off with Nokia tech
South African optical network trials hailed as a success, with Nokia hardware enabling long-distance, high-capacity data transmission. Testing seen as a proof of concept for wider rollout and 5G services expansion.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vivendi reignites Telefónica relationship with new stake
1% shareholding set to be just the start of a closer alliance and reflects the media group’s enthusiasm for strategic telco partnerships. Partnership opportunities exist across the Telefónica footprint, but Spain appears the main area of interest for Vivendi. The move reverses earlier Vivendi exit as a Telefónica investor, ...
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People
Vivo CIO segues into FiBrasil top job
Telefónica’s new FibreCo JV names Vivo veteran as CEO. CIO vacancy opens up at Brazil OB.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica Tech extends cloud reach in Brazil
TC&CT division snags 49.99% stake in Vivo’s CloudCo Brasil. Deal builds on TC&CT’s earlier purchase of CyberCo Brasil. Working in parallel with local operating businesses becoming a Telefónica Tech trend.
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Venturing & Investments
Telefónica ploughs second batch of funding into “critical” Nozomi
Group’s Tech Ventures vehicle adds to funding in industrial cybersecurity player Nozomi Networks. Telefónica Ventures MD Gawendo talks up the value of the tie-up as Group seeks to beef up IoT security capabilities. Additional investment strengthens relationship between the commercial and strategic partners, started in 2020.
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Operations
Indus Towers said to firm up IT systems rework
TowerCo CEO flags progress in pursuit of post-merger synergies. “Indus team” completes IT systems integration, meaning management of 180,000+ site portfolio falls under one roof.
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Strategy & Change
VM O2 preps for wholesale with code powers application
Concerns over securing acceptable commercial terms for key sites on VM O2 network behind request for additional tenancy rights. Code-based flexibility will simplify the process of enabling wholesale access to sites, while supporting potential network expansion.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica’s alarms JV accelerates sales
Partner Prosegur sees JV outpacing growth of its standalone alarms business. Security group open to alliances in areas where it is not already present.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s tax hike response
Safaricom responds to excise tax hike; M-PESA management rejig reaches Lesotho; change at top of Xlink.
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Premium
BT people moves: procurement revamp sees high profile exits
Changes for BT’s procurement leads past and present as Joshi and Lord make tracks. Maniar named CEO at now-wholly-owned converged offering OnePhone. BT’s Enterprise operation on the Iberian peninsula readies for high-profile changes, with CEO Ronda on the way out. Altnet challengers draw former BT and Openreach talent.
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Premium
DT adds RingCentral to video collaboration portfolio
Telekom Deutschland offers more video options for businesses. Expanded portfolio includes Cisco, Microsoft, RingCentral, and Zoom.
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Premium
German partners target Dutch digital expansion
SAP, Siemens, and T-Systems look to increasing collaboration as a catalyst for Dutch digital transformation efforts. Trio to come together in trust-based innovation pact with the hope of enabling improved supply chain operations.
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Strategy & Change
T-Mobile US pushes ahead with mobile ad-tech plans
Magenta Marketing Platform bundles mobile network data, but not location data, for advertisers to reach targeted audiences.
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M&A
Vodafone Italy hands highways infra to INWIT JV
OpCo’s divestment bulks-up INWIT portfolio, as TowerCo continues spending spree. INWIT to equip portion of new assets with IoT capabilities in “smart road” drive. Acquisition expected to be green-lighted before end-2021.