All articles by Joseph Purnell – Page 41
-
Venturing & Investments
DTCP kickstarts 2022 with data security investments
Data analytics platform Dremio and cybersecurity threat detector Hunters picked for cash injection. DT venturing vehicle makes inaugural investment in the two startups, adding to data-oriented interests.
-
Public Affairs
Telefónica handed EC fine for Brazilian non-compete deal
Decade-long proceedings close with Telefónica — along with Pharol — ordered to hand over €79m for antitrust breach. European Commission findings upheld despite yo-yoing, with final charge held for Telefónica and down slightly for Pharol.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Genesys partnered for speech-based AI bot
TPG ties with Genesys and Google Cloud to launch an “upgrade” to its Vodafone TOBi chatbot. NLP integration set to improve voice channel triaging, with sales role touted in a future deployment.
-
Premium
Deutsche Telekom people moves: senior Technology & Innovation changes
Changes in AI, network automation, and R&D leadership to bring in the new year, with a fresh CTO to boot. Leroy’s Europe domain draws regional talent for new commercial team, while SoHo and SME segments get attention in central and Eastern outposts. T-Systems’ Posset confirms Poland and Romania as ...
-
Strategy & Change
Telefónica e-learning unit rehoused to target enterprise
Telefónica Educación Digital moves under Group’s Filiales unit, alongside the likes of the Prosegur Alarmas JV and retail manager Telyco. Reorganisation said to benefit business’s enterprise ambitions. Digital education solutions and services cropping up across Telefónica’s Spanish operation.
-
Premium
Vodafone people moves: IoT.nxt strengthens US outpost
Vodacom’s IoT specialist IoT.nxt built up its USA play with Trevor DeLew named SVP, Sales. Vodacom Mozambique names a new CEO. Vodafone Spain shuffles strategy and sales directorships. Floundering Vi makes yet more changes to its enterprise unit as Arvind Nevatia forms his team.
-
People
Openreach’s Service Delivery chief Olly Kunc exits
Quietly leaves the Group, leaving management a shared, interim responsibility of Khatter and Stewart.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone claims 5G open RAN first
Vodafone UK launches 5G open RAN site, building on government-led open infrastructure ambition. Initial launch leverages partnerships with Capgemini, Dell, Intel, Keysight, Samsung, and Wind River. NEC and Samsung to be used in tandem for 2,500 sites from mid-2022.
-
Financial & Performance
Telefónica issues further €5.5bn in green bonds
ESG remains in the Telefónica spotlight with more refinancing at the Group. Decarbonisation and increased executive diversity the criteria for success. Group edges closer to €10bn total volume ambition.
-
Strategy & Change
DT’s Leroy backs Greek digitalisation plans
Head of Europe Dominique Leroy joins the campaign trail to promote Greek investment via OTE minority subsidiary. €3bn full-fibre investment plan in action to support national digital transformation. Bureaucracy remains a sticking point.
-
Premium
BT people moves: ESG key in New Year changes
Digital impact and sustainability manifesto brings a number of new roles to further ESG agenda. Fibre build challengers Borderlink and Hyperoptic poach ex-BT and Openreach staffers to drive regional FTTP rollout plans. Healthcare remains a key focus for Digital and Enterprise developments.
-
People
Openreach’s McTighe emerges as frontrunner for Ofcom chair
Mike McTighe, Chairman at Openreach, reportedly on the shortlist to oversee regulator. Drawn-out search for Lord Burns’ successor sees another BT-affiliated name on the cards.
-
People
BT’s new growth oriented Division X names leader
Former Sierra Wireless SVP Marc Overton appointed MD, Division X as BT Enterprise seeks solution-selling in high-growth verticals. Adjacent markets targeted by new unit, with Overton’s IoT specialism among the target technologies.
-
People
Telefónica shuffles and slims security unit leadership
Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad takes on parent’s corporate leadership model. Changes to chairman and a handful of directors, with Group executives swapped for Tech names.
-
M&A
T-Mobile US picks up rideshare advertiser Octopus
Adtech-focused Marketing Solutions division makes acquisition to expand marketers toolkit. Octopus Interactive to transition to T-Mobile network for device connectivity.
-
Venturing & Investments
SoftBank tie-up leads to GoStudent investment
DT and strategic partner SoftBank co-invest in ed-tech platform provider GoStudent. Investment collaboration one of promised benefits from renewed friendship last year, with GoStudent the first to profit from DT–SoftBank tie-up. Claure exit from SoftBank sees hiccup in new DT relationship, however.
-
Premium
ABB signs BT for wide ranging security and IoT deal
“Trusted partner” BT Global takes multi-national managed services deal. Automated, software-defined core platform with IoT and security focus set for deployment. Innovation collaboration commitment included.
-
Innovation (R&D)
T-Labs taps Merantix for AI voice fraud detection
Deutsche Telekom’s research arm ties with natural language processing partner Merantix Labs to co-develop deepfake detection tool. Seen as a likely necessity for future AI robustness, and builds on broader voice tech from across the Group.
-
Premium
BT focuses energies on health industry
BT ramps up plans with formation of Clinical Advisory Board populated by eight NHS clinicians. Move builds on operator’s sign-up to Health Tech Alliance and The Kings Fund as part of efforts to expand in the industry through collaboration.
-
Premium
EE trudges on with Shared Rural Network progress
46 ‘fresh sites’ delivered under SRN programme. EE to upgrade a further 1,532 sites with 4G by 2024 in ‘partial not-spot’ phase.