Infrawatch: Global – Page 32
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Network & Infrastructure
Nokia resumes O-RAN Alliance activity
Group revises procedures to alleviate concerns over US export rules. Deutsche Telekom is “fully committed” to the Alliance. USA considering clarifications for standards organisations.
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Innovation (R&D)
BT quantum-secures hollow core fibre in trial
QKD hook-up with Lumenisity HCF pitched as world first. Lord says trial “accelerates the UK’s lead in quantum technologies”. Widespread HCF deployment still some way off, however.
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People
Telekom Deutschland’s fibre JV fills co-CEO vacancy
Glasfaser Nordwest taps co-parent EWE for new leadership appointment. Former incumbent swaps one German FTTP specialist for another. Telekom–EWE business expands product marketing to new locations.
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Premium
TMUS gets into fibre game with New York trial
Operator enters leasing arrangement in most populous US city. TMUS testing waters with T-Mobile Fiber, as telco slowly and steadily ramps up in-home internet service drive.
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Premium
Telekom taps utilities for fibre expansion
German NatCo is intent on using existing infrastructure to accelerate fibre build. Gopalan set on forming good relations with German municipalities.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Indus tidies IT up
Indus tidies IT up; India becomes potential early target for Vodafone’s sat venture with AST.
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Premium
Vodafone, Nokia partner on mobile network maintenance
Cloud-based collaboration on new system to “autonomously” detect mobile network anomalies before they impact customers. Roll out of service across all European markets slated for early-2022.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica Argentina and Sion buddy up on provincial fibre
Argentinian OB to lean on third-party infrastructure to extend connectivity to harder-to-reach communities. Movistar looking at expanding reach of its city-centric FTTP footprint.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodacom starts TowerCo separation sequence
Operator looking to install managing executive, and then fuller leadership team, to drive tower separation plans outlined in May. Plan to explore stake sale reiterated. Initial focus on biggest market South Africa.
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M&A
CityFibre eyes fresh cash injection
Press reports suggest Openreach challenger will announce fresh funds through stake sale and bond issue.
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Premium
Telefónica finalises Telxius tower sale as infra deals flow
American Tower acquires last tranche of 31,000 Telxius towers for €7.7bn, with deal set to reduce Telefónica net debt by €4.6bn. Fibre InfraCos in Latin America ramp up, with KKR expanding its relationship with the Group. Digital businesses also restructuring with Telefónica Tech spreading its influence.
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M&A
TPG puts feelers out for TowerCo deal
Australian JV conducting “preliminary market assessment” ahead of possible spin-off. Scope of monetisation would be limited by operator’s low level of site ownership. Competitors have already made moves.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Telefónica Infra-Tech: Mistral goes live
Mistral goes live; Telefónica Tech gets sporty.
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M&A
Telefónica said to be negotiating PangeaCo stake sale
Peruvian fibre business reportedly on the market, as Group’s Hispam monetising plans evolve further. PangeaCo to take form of Brazilian/Chilean equivalent, assuming part-sale goes through.
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Suppliers & SCM
Greek TowerCo ramps up tenancies with Sigfox deal
Sigfox taps Vantage’s Greek business for infra support in “nationwide” IoT deployment programme. Ten-year strategic agreement to increase mast tenancies by more than 250 over next three financial years.
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Premium
Vodacom optics take off with Nokia tech
South African optical network trials hailed as a success, with Nokia hardware enabling long-distance, high-capacity data transmission. Testing seen as a proof of concept for wider rollout and 5G services expansion.
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Operations
Indus Towers said to firm up IT systems rework
TowerCo CEO flags progress in pursuit of post-merger synergies. “Indus team” completes IT systems integration, meaning management of 180,000+ site portfolio falls under one roof.
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Premium
Vodafone plugs into Grid to aid fibre expansion
OpCo ties with Grid Telecom in 20year mutual exchange agreement. Vodafone looks to drive infrastructure investment elsewhere, including 5G and submarine projects.
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M&A
Vodafone Italy hands highways infra to INWIT JV
OpCo’s divestment bulks-up INWIT portfolio, as TowerCo continues spending spree. INWIT to equip portion of new assets with IoT capabilities in “smart road” drive. Acquisition expected to be green-lighted before end-2021.
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M&A
Vivo open to fibre M&A via new FiBrasil JV
CEO Christian Gebara signals interest if the price and quality is right. Brazilian fibre market becoming increasingly competitive.