All European Commission (EC) articles – Page 2
-
Network & Infrastructure
Liberty 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”.
-
M&A
Vodafone 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?
-
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.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica open to fresh Digi Spain wholesale deal
Group confident in retaining wholesale client despite optional switch to Orange-MÁSMÓVIL following EC’s merger approval.
-
M&A
European Commission greenlights Orange-MÁSMÓVIL merger
Transaction to create new fixed‑mobile behemoth in Spain, with market reset also seeing Vodafone España handover, fibre agglomeration…
-
Weekly Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: billion-pound network investments, digital inclusivity, and French fibre M&A on the menu
VM O2 moves to forge UK NetCo/ServCo split in operations; associate nexfibre to remain separate, commits £1bn to 2024 build; Orange CEO suggests M&A still on agenda to expand domestic fibre footprint; TalkTalk in negotiations over wholesale arm sale; much more…
-
Weekly Briefings
Deutsche Telekomwatch Weekly: Transforming and initialising into annuals, MWC
Latest people moves focused on transformation; initialism-rich MWC preview includes API AI plus ORAN; 3-day weekend off the table in Hungary; TMUS getting serious on churn; EC could helpfully move into reset-mode on sector regulation, ahead of upcoming DT update…
-
Public Affairs
European Commission bending to Big Telco calls for consolidation — report
Draft policy paper shows EC ready to make big changes in telecom rules to allow its big players to scale, invest and better face other (typically US) service providers, according to reports.
-
Network & Infrastructure
ETNO in existential crisis as Europe weighs response to global business threats
ETNO’s recent State of Digital Communications report portrayed the big beasts of European telecoms as open to change, but hamstrung by regulation and pondering long-term impact of letting infrastructure go.
-
Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Weekly: Group in a deal-making, people-shuffling mood
Agreements in energy, mobile, and security sectors aimed at bringing in fresh customers and reducing costs across international footprint; leadership changes promise to bring fresh perspectives as strategies shift and new shareholders enter the picture…
-
Public Affairs
Telefónica’s Álvarez-Pallete takes soapbox to Davos, repeats call for EU refresh
Telefónica’s CEO says deregulation and investment “agenda” needed to drive innovation and increase EU telcos’ competitiveness. Comments come hot on the heels of similar messaging from other industry execs. Entrance of SEPI and stc as Group shareholders not a distraction from new three-year strategy…
-
Venturing & Investments
EC grants €1.2bn to fuel cloud computing push
4iG, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and TIM among IT and telecoms players collaborating on IPCEI-CIS project, seeking to produce a common, open-source architecture for European cloud deployments. First phase of industrial rollout expected to complete by 2031, with goal creating 1,000 jobs and “positive spill-over effects” in the process.
-
M&A
Vodafone said to near Spanish exit as Zegona preps finance
Reports indicate takeover deal is nearly complete, with Zegona said to have raised debt funding from bank syndicate and Vodafone itself.
-
Public Affairs
Wait goes on for EC’s investment revival ‘vision’
European Commission guidelines for new Digital Networks Act expected before June 2024, but draft legislation not until 2025.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Spain kicks off 5G SA funding call
Spain opens bidding for UNICO-5G Redes Activas programme, providing €543.8m to accelerate 5G standalone rollout in rural areas of the country.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Systems Solutions: Data facility in Biere secures EC’s European Code of Conduct Award for energy efficiency
T‑Sys data facility in Biere secures EC’s European Code of Conduct Award for energy efficiency.
-
Public Affairs
DT’s Europe chief lashes out at proposal to regulate EU intra-call pricing
Dominique Leroy argues EU parliament’s proposed amendment to Gigabit Infrastructure Act is unnecessary.
-
M&A
Zegona eyes Vodafone Spain for reverse takeover deal
Virgin Media veterans consider returning to Spanish market after successful sale of strategic stake in Euskaltel in earlier market consolidation.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Telefónica Group: Legal setback in Brussels for telco M&A
Legal setback in Brussels for telco M&A as court backs EC’s decision to block Hutchison-O2 merger in 2016.
-
Suppliers & SCM
Germany seeks high-risk compromise as operators maintain reliance on Huawei
Vodafone and its peers may get time to wean themselves from Huawei dependency as Germany looks set to water down high-risk restrictions.