Headlines
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Network & InfrastructureDeep dive: Virgin Media Ireland’s fibre switch-up enabling 5Gbps and faster launches
Virgin Media leaps ahead on path to 10G. Strategic move driven by customer demand and enabled by €200m IT/network transformation, positioning Ireland as pacesetter in Liberty Global’s NetCo-ServCo fibre (r)evolution. TelcoTitans talks to commercial chief Paul Higgins. Read more…
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M&ALiberty seeks strategic partner to fuel B2B services expansion plan
Execs lay out strategy to build out, and eventually monetise, outsourced services businesses Liberty Blume and Liberty Tech.
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Financial & PerformanceFixed-up VM O2 looks to bounce back in 2025
UK operator forecasts a return to growth in the current year after spending much of 2024 strengthening its foundations.
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Financial & PerformanceLiberty Global targets $200m+ in savings through AI
The European group has quantified how much it expects to save in operating costs from deploying artificial intelligence across its telecoms assets over the next three years.
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M&AVirgin Media O2 said to attract first offers in £1bn NetCo stake sale
Spanish media reports Virgin Media O2 owners Telefónica and Liberty Global have received non-binding offers from investors for a 40% stake in the planned NetCo carve out, with BlackRock and CPP Investments in the mixer.
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PeopleSky pinches tech boss from Liberty Global
Aarne Aho takes on Group Chief Technology Officer role at Sky, after long career leading tech and product development at Liberty Global and Virgin Media.
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Strategy & ChangeLiberty gives European B2B services business a new name and mission
Shared services arm rebadged and given mandate to seek expansion in areas such as energy, fintech, and insurance.
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M&AVodafone–Three merger ‘releases the handbrake’ on UK telecoms, but at what cost?
Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle hails creation of a ‘new force’ as CMA grants regulatory go-ahead for Vodafone–Three merger, but questions remain about the impact on MVNOs, rivals, consumers, and the combined entity’s networks…
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PeopleTelefónica CEO to stay in GSMA chair for two more years
Álvarez-Pallete extends contract to serve in GSMA top spot until end of 2026. Appointment comes alongside overhaul of GSMA’s Board of Directors, which now includes representatives from BT, Liberty Global, and more…
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Network & InfrastructureT-Mobile happy to sit on Polish fibre sidelines and munch whole-buy gains
DT regional boss Dominique Leroy rules out an expansion into fibre build in Poland, pointing to how local business has gained a huge new targetable base of customers through third-party tie-ups.
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MarketingOrange Belgium reportedly plans to drop VOO brand
Local media reports suggest that the VOO brand will be retired by September 2025.
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PeopleVM O2 chief Lutz Schüler takes leave of absence
CEO gets ‘positive’ prognosis, steps back to allow for surgery recovery. CFO takes helm on interim basis. Log in to read more…
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Public AffairsDeep dive: What UK FibreCos want from Labour gov’t
Fibre builders share what they want from the new Labour government, with policy consistency and demand-side support topping wishlists, divergence on the detail. Read more…
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Strategy & ChangeSeven years in, Liberty CEO says it’s time to ‘think about’ Vodafone JV’s future
Mike Fries suggests seven years of co-ownership with Vodafone may be long enough as internal discussions turn more acutely to Dutch JV’s future.
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EventwatchVirgin Media O2 and CityFibre question each other’s fibre maths
Connected Britain: VM O2 CEO Lutz Schüler argues operator is taking “challenger” approach in UK’s fibre market, with nexfibre spin-off and upcoming NetCo positioning operator to be a “long-term sustainable partner” to altnets.
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M&AVirgin Media O2 gears up for £1bn NetCo stake sale — report
Operator reportedly aiming to offload at least 20% stake in fledgling NetCo, with several infrastructure, private equity, and pension funds taking interest.
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica CEO pledges commitment to Brazil after meet-up with president
José María Álvarez-Pallete expresses confidence in Brazil’s telecoms market during trip to meet the country’s President.
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PeopleVirgin Media O2’s Schüler takes a spot at Sunrise
VM O2 chief among big telecoms leaders appointed to newly-formed Board of Directors at Swiss operator.
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PeopleTelefónica Peoplewatch: key directorship changes in Germany and UK
Roundup of 25+ notable people moves across Telefónica Group, including: rejigged board at Telefónica Open Innovation; VM O2 recruiting new business and strategy directors; and former O2 marketing director taking up comms role at DT…
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica gets to plugging Core Market wholesale gaps
Operator seeks to lock in key wholesale clients and create new revenue sources after management affirms wholesale will “be a drag” on 2024 performance.