EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 240
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M&ATelefónica targets partners for M&A add ons in security
Group reaching into partner base for acquisitions to support expansion plans of new Telefónica Cybersecurity Tech division. Wayra investments maturing as two minority stakes upgraded to whole ownership. Reorganisation of assets for security expansion may be a template for revamp in cloud and IoT target markets.
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PeopleBuyIn rejig: Pyrtek out, Felder in
Procurement alliance rotates CEO. Orange takes helm from DT. Felder earns Pyrtek vote of confidence. BuyIn targeting growth — with digitisation, automation in the crosshairs.
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Innovation (R&D)BT’s Adastral Park testing use-cases for EU’s 5G-VINNI project
Project tests 5G for agile media production in broadcasting. BT’s Adastral Park is a main test facility for EU-funded 5G-VINNI project.
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Network & InfrastructureMerc’s 5G-equipped future factory begins production
O2 hands over the keys to the campus network it built at the automaker’s Factory 56: seen as a “flagship” for 5G in manufacturing. Production green light marks the start of Mercedes’ all-digital production overhaul.
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Venturing & Investmentshubraum’s Mixed Reality Programme goes live
First six startups inducted as hubraum continues hunt for commercial MR market. Technologists Nreal and Qualcomm partnered. Mix of late-stage and greenfield startups in a “diverse” line-up. Enterprise customers an apparent target for most.
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PremiumBT takes charge of 5G factory floor
BT collaborates with Worcestershire 5G (W5G) testbed and Ericsson to install ‘live’ 5G factory. Runs and manages private 5G network for Worcester Bosch. Takes technology lead at W5G to accelerate UK adoption of smart-manufacturing.
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Strategy & Change
Green sees ‘correction’ in TV sports rights prices
BT is attempting to turn down the heat on expectations for broadcast sport auctions in a market that has already seen signs of cooling.
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PremiumNumbers: no sport and shut businesses take their toll
While whole Group faces headwinds, Consumer and Enterprise take the brunt of COVID-19 impact. The “usual” working capital payments on top of slumping earnings result in negative cash flow for the quarter.
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PremiumSpending: capex surge still around the corner
Lockdown slows network rollout, but capex remains on track to ramp up from next year. Existing cost cutting to be coupled with pandemic-driven spending reviews for additional sustainable savings. New Huawei rules said not to add to BT’s swap-out burden.
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PremiumGuidance: what’s the worst that can happen?
Outlook on revenue and EBITDA implies little good news for rest of FY20–21. Earnings growth anticipated in FY21–22, as regulatory headwinds fade and efficiency gains come into play.
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PremiumDivisional highlights: the value of fibre
Management ready to look at ways to bring out the value of BT’s emerging fibre infrastructure. Beyond the current crisis and recession fears, BT Global advancing down the path to recovery. Sudden freeze of live events underlines the importance of BT Sport to Consumer division financial performance.
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PremiumBT continues to mull post-COVID-19 working options
Jansen seeks a return to normality. Changes to practices are afoot, however: Work Your Way flexible working initiative launched; distributed working pros and cons explored.
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PremiumBT takes lead on new TIP OpenRAN subgroup
Influential BT researcher in a pivotal role between operators, technologists, and standards groups on Open RAN implementation.
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PremiumBT Group Q1 FY20–21
First full COVID-19 quarter sees a sharp decline in revenue and EBITDA. Outflow of cash as network investment continues. Group CEO Jansen claims mists are clearing, enabling Group to issue guidance for the year — although BT anticipates little improvement until 2021. Openreach progress is the main positive for ...
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica in front row seat as Spain unveils recovery plan
Left-leaning Spanish government to put digital transformation at the heart of plans to tackle pandemic challenges, playing to Telefónica strengths.
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Venturing & InvestmentsVodafone Institute puts female empowerment in the F-LANE
Finalists from ten countries selected for F-LANE 2020, with AI, blockchain, and VR tech used to support rural women. Virtual edition takes on an oversized cohort in five-week, all-online programme.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Consumer: Brexit prep and ESN progress
Brexit preparations; fairer price commitments; ESN deployment progress.
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PremiumOfcom plots 5G spectrum auction for early-2021
700MHz and 3.6GHz–3.8GHz frequencies slated to go under hammer in January 2021. Regulator makes some provision to address mid-band fragmentation fears.
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PremiumBT champions DLT to help provision 5G private networks
Strong Russian flavour to project, with Rostelecom as Catalyst co-champion, and suppliers Nexign, RTC ARGUS among participants. Catalyst to underpin a network resource marketplace for Industry 4.0. Federated DLT Marketplace to meld with two other BT-supported TM Forum programmes, forming “Mega Catalyst”.
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PremiumBT sanguine on DT investment in London fibre rival
Minority BT stakeholder Deutsche Telekom adding to its UK interests through an investment in social housing-focused fibre altnet Community Fibre. Former EE Chief Olaf Swantee to make a UK return as venture’s Chairman. Community Fibre building a business case on sharing Openreach ducts and poles with aim to reach ...