EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 23
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Watson teases 5G SA ‘this year’, but willing to wait to get it right
MWC: Chief Security & Networks Officer Howard Watson is eyeing a 5G SA launch later in 2024, as the “green shoots” of enterprise use-cases begin to emerge. Meanwhile Watson set out the final steps to take on the Huawei replacement programme…
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty eyes network-sharing deals in a “couple of markets”
MWC: Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries says network-sharing holds potential as part of broader need for telcos to up their partnering game and “return to profitable growth”.
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Financial & PerformanceTPG accelerates simplification, but infra stutters make for a bumpy ride
Australian operator posts progress on modernisation and simplification in FY23, and tees up more product and systems culls for FY24. Attempts to rationalise TPG’s physical infrastructure portfolio, though, have proved difficult…
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Strategy & ChangeVi attempts to convince investors with massive fundraise plan
Vodafone’s Indian JV makes progress on fundraising plans at long last, but questions remain about debt and dues as deadlines loom. Is INR 450bn/£4.3bn/€5bn enough to recuperate the flailing operator?
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica builds out Microsoft ties with AI, API deals
MWC: Group evolves relationship with tech giant through tie-ups over Kernel cognitive intelligence platform and GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative. Fresh initiatives line up neatly with three-year strategic targets. Read more…
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M&AVodafone lines up Italy escape, taking €8bn in Fastweb cash
Margherita Della Valle’s M&A-led rationalisation programme marches on; Italy set to become second major European market Vodafone exits under new CEO’s regime… but how does the Swisscom deal compare with the Iliad proposal Vodafone turned down?
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Products & ServicesCTO Petty backs XR as Vodafone and Qualcomm target 5G enterprise
MWC: Vodafone’s CTO Scott Petty sees telemedicine and manufacturing as key areas where XR apps can help build new business cases that leverage 5G investment.
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Public Affairs“Who the hell is giving these companies money?” — Höttges warns of investment crisis as big four unite
In a “historic” coming together of the heads of Europe’s four biggest operators, calls were made for changes in regulation, spectrum, and merger policy to support future investment. The EC appears open to change on all fronts, but not always as the operators wish.
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Network & InfrastructureO2 Germany and Ericsson set C-RAN plan in motion
First rollout under Telefónica Group’s MoU with supplier to take place in Germany during first half of 2024. O2 seeks to achieve greater network flexibility and scalability with C-RAN, as operator highlights potential to open up new business models and initiatives.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDT and Orange ‘explore’ T-Mobile US partnership to boost tech buying power
Deutsche Telekom indicates it and purchasing partner Orange are studying an expansion of their BuyIn JV by bringing T-Mobile US into the fold.
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Network & InfrastructureGreece’s OTE seeks to ramp fibre footprint and sales
Greek incumbent aims for an acceleration in FTTP rollout in 2024 as it moves closer to headline three million homes passed target.
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Products & ServicesGerman telco trio debuts Open Gateway APIs
MWC: Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, and Vodafone launch first APIs in Germany, with focus initially on providing anti-fraud and security to financial organisations. Various ongoing trials flagged with Fireblocks, Siemens Energy, and Sony. Collaboration presented as key as initiative takes centre stage at Mobile World Congress…
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Consumer (B2C)BT’s Marc Allera: putting relationships first as operators strive for ‘resonance and relevance’
MWC: BT Consumer CEO lays out focus on building a “relevant” EE brand that prioritises connectivity-adjacent services, before leveraging BT’s network strengths once relationships are built.
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M&AHrvatski Telekom ‘diligently assessing’ regional M&A possibilities
Croatian operator’s management remains keen on fashioning it into a regional telco/IT business, saying dealmaking opportunities are being monitored.
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Public AffairsDT ‘withholding payments’ on giant outsourcing deal, amid dispute
ISS, DT’s facilities management supplier in Germany, flags it could take a €80m hit to cash flow this year after the seeing place a halt on certain deal payments. The move comes amid ongoing contractual disagreement between the two groups and is the latest in a long line of headaches ISS has faced since taking on the FM job.
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Network & InfrastructureMavenir, Red Hat flaunt ORAN go-live for Vodafone’s Vi
Indian operator sets commercial open RAN live as co-parent Vodafone initiates ‘mega tender’; vendors looking to stake claims in crowded partner ecosystem…
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Network & InfrastructureVirgin Media O2 takes second place in UK’s 5G SA race
Operator launches 5G standalone commercial offering for customers in 14 locations, aiming to deliver higher bandwidth and lower latencies.
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PremiumVodafone Peoplewatch: cluster of moves at Business, new CTO in Netherlands
More than 20 moves in the latest edition of Vodafone Peoplewatch, with Blanca Echániz in as new Group Products & Services Director, Thomas Helbo as VodafoneZiggo CTO; Best to ServiceNow; De Prest now Atos CFO.
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Financial & PerformanceThree more years for Magyar Telekom CEO Tibor Rékasi
Deutsche Telekom rewards boss for resilient FY23 performance of Hungarian NatCo and navigation of recent rough political and economic terrain.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica open to fresh Digi Spain wholesale deal
Group confident in retaining wholesale client despite optional switch to Orange-MÁSMÓVIL following EC’s merger approval.