EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 205
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PremiumBT people moves: Karonis replacement named at Enterprise
Following the launch of BT Digital and BT Networks, Dave Matthews was appointed BT Enterprise CTIO to fill Karonis’ shoes. BT Non-Executive Director Cheshire takes a Chairman role at Spire Healthcare. BT Global SVP Roger Woodend departs for AWS.
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PeopleSchüler coronated as VM-O2 CEO
Lutz Schüler, dynamic Virgin Media chief, with a track record at O2 Germany, is to lead the new VM-O2 joint venture, subject to competition clearance. O2 CFO and experienced merger overseer Patricia Cobian to take on the JV finance role. No room for O2 CEO Mark Evans.
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Network & InfrastructureT-Mobile Netherlands bulks up on fibre via new KKR venture
Dutch NatCo builds on Primevest investments as first anchor tenant of Open Dutch Fiber. New fibre venture taps former CEO and CCO of Vodafone Germany partner Deutsche Glasfaser. Move raises further questions over Group plans for its Dutch business.
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Suppliers & SCMBT Sourced embarks on buyside disruption
Low-key launch for BT’s “standalone” procurement company. Time will tell if greater reliance on digital tools will turn BT Sourced into “procurement disruptors and trailblazers”.
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OperationsBT’s revamped Newcastle office set for re-opening
Operator to inaugurate opening of “one of first” upgraded offices under Better Workplace scheme. “First phase” of site redevelopment completed, with hybrid working practices helping maintain operations in meantime. Gosforth to prioritise employee welfare as a means to boost customer service.
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PeopleDT’s long-running search for new chair continues
A replacement for Deutsche Telekom’s outgoing Supervisory Board Chairman Lehner continues after tight-lipped incumbent gave nothing away at Group AGM. External candidates considered. Disappointment of scuppered Harald Krüger appointment not yet rectified.
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Enterprise (B2B)BT Enterprise eyes 2023 for 5G lift-off
Spencer says better performing 5G standalone networks needed to kick-start market. Operator inexperience in provisioning spectrum for private networks another brake on enterprise adoption. University Hospitals Birmingham and Belfast Harbour again hailed as BT’s main B2B 5G success stories.
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Public AffairsTelefónica softens Millicom litigation demands
Millicom calls to dismiss legal case ruled out by Supreme Court. Telefónica dampens demands to instead seek damages. Litigation remains in motion.
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PremiumTelefónica joins talks on EU’s €10bn cloud project
Brussels seeks industry support and investment for federated cloud plan. New alliance to focus on edge computing and industrial data spaces. Telefónica among telcos expected to play a role. Project to work with GAIA-X, avoiding duplication.
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PremiumSpain ties up 3.5GHz loose ends
Telefónica, Orange each acquire 10MHz concession for €21m reserve price. After elongated allocation process stretching over five years, Telefónica ends up with 100MHz of 5G-friendly 3.5GHz spectrum, second only to Orange (110MHz). Timelines fuzzy for auction of 700MHz and 26GHz frequencies, two other bands long identified by Madrid as ...
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PremiumTelefónica España plans 400Gbps IP Fusión upgrade
Pilots with Huawei and Nokia reveal optical transport capacity potential. 400Gbps rollout to start this year in Spain. Huawei technology achieves 600Gbps and 800Gbps in optical mesh tests.
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PremiumO2 UK secures more 5G spectrum
Ofcom raises a total of £1.4bn in principal auction stage — several hundred million pounds less than expectations. Regulator has now opened the first phase of negotiation period that should enable operators to build contiguous blocks in the 3.4GHz–3.8GHz band. Lower spend on licences (so far) should provide an ...
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Public AffairsVodafone, Fastweb file lawsuits against TIM
Operators seek combined €1.1bn in damages, with incumbent accused of anti-competitive behaviour. Complaints follow AGCM investigation. TIM preparing “solid” defence on all fronts, with prospective merger partner Open Fiber weighing in too.
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Network & InfrastructureSafaricom partners Huawei, Nokia for 5G trials
Kenyan operator becomes the first East African telco to launch commercial 5G services in a limited rollout. Huawei and Nokia named technology partners, with local communications authority giving full backing to the China vendor’s security credentials.
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PremiumVodafone reels in €2.3bn from Vantage Towers IPO
Proceeds to pay down Group debt. IPO share price holds steady on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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PremiumVi keeps tight rein on spectrum spending
As expected, Indian JV is by far the lowest spender in India’s recent multi-band spectrum auction. All three operators shun 5G-friendly 700MHz spectrum because of high reserve price.
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PremiumColao proposes 1Gbps for all Italians by 2026
Minister for Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao outlines his ambitions for Italy’s economic recovery. Rapid roll out of gigabit broadband is essential to the plan. But the stalled national broadband network plan must be resolved soon.
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PremiumVodafone UK secures mid-band 5G spectrum
OpCo decides against buying low-band airwaves as it intends to refarm 900MHz for 5G. Total amount raised is below expectations, indicating lack of appetite among operators for bidding war.
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone Romania picks ADVA, Edgecore for DCSG
OpCo completes “open IP routing” trial across seven sites. CTO hails pilot a “smooth introduction” to disaggregated networks.
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Suppliers & SCMEricsson joins team on Safaricom’s backhaul refresh
Deal sees Safaricom expanding focus on E-band microwave for bandwidth boost. Ericsson joins Aviat Networks in declaring participation in Safaricom’s 5G-era network programme.