All articles by Joseph Purnell – Page 42
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Enterprise (B2B)BT Enterprise’s SoHo unit to exploit micro-business boom
Senior figures named and recruitment drive underway at unit focused on single office, home office demographic. Unit launched in 2021 to deliver tailored services to a growing micro-business customer base.
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Partnerships & Alliances1NCE taps AWS for expanded IoT platform rollout
DT-backed IoT platform provider 1NCE “intensifies” AWS relationship to launch an IoT core network. Partnership extends to development of new platform features, utilising AWS infrastructure.
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Venturing & Investmentshubraum progeny Blinkist turns a profit
Book-summarising startup gets into the black for the first time. Milestone reached decade into life of the business. Deutsche Telekom incubator hubraum exits startup on the cusp of profitability. Operator was early investor in 2012.
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PeopleEx-chair du Plessis wants to “move on” from BT exit
Jan du Plessis describes BT chairmanship as “not a great time”, but remains confident in Group strategy under CEO Jansen. Unceremonious resignation came amid reports of falling-out between the pair. Newly knighted du Plessis now teed up for UK audit watchdog role.
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PremiumVodafone amongst UK operators to action inflation-linked pricing
Vodafone joins fellow operators in price hike announcements as UK inflation pushes broadband and mobile prices up nearly 10%. Consumer challenges affecting MNOs too, says Vodafone spokesperson.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom people moves: 6G next on the networks list
Chalkiotis to lead the Group’s 6G interests alongside networks role. Greiner named new DT regulatory affairs head to lead EU relationship. DT–Orange procurement JV BuyIn names Canadian MD to drive partnerships with recent joiner Bell Canada.
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M&AMastercard buys former DT investment Dynamic Yield
AI-based customer experience personalisation platform picked up by Mastercard from McDonalds. Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners first invested in 2017.
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PeopleEx-BT chair teed up to lead UK audit regulator
Business Secretary Kwarteng puts Jan du Plessis forward for appointment to chair the FRC amid governance struggles on the audit watchdog’s “underweight” board. FRC in transition, and requires a chair able to partner with government.
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PeopleFormer Telefónica exec takes Sky Mexico helm
Luis Malvido, ex-CEO at Telefónica businesses in Argentina, Brazil, Czech Republic, and Venezuela, takes the lead at Mexican rival.
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Network & InfrastructureMovistar gets industrial with Chile 5G launch
Telefónica Chile’s 5G network goes live alongside peers Entel and WOM. Plans for “nationwide” availability in early-2022.
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M&AVM O2 CEO happy as spectator to BT takeover saga
Lutz Schüler, CEO at Virgin Media O2, said he “thanks God” his business is not distracted by shareholder goings on. Comes after Patrick Drahi expanded his shareholding in VM O2 rival BT. Schüler’s attention fixed on customer experience improvements and fibre rollout.
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PeopleTelefónica reshapes board of directors
Group cuts board seats from 17 to 15, with representation from shareholders BBVA and CaixaBank halved. Ignacio Moreno and Jordi Gual to instead shift to roles at Telefónica España and Brazil’s Vivo.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Vodacom board readies for renewal
Vodacom Group governance is set for change ahead of 2022 AGM. Networks leadership change at Vodafone Germany on the cards with Suceveanu named interim chief. Society and communications thinktank Vodafone Institute loses its head to Google. Australia’s TPG Telecom makes wide ranging changes to management team, with unified Technology ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT joins industry bodies in health-tech drive
Operator added to Health Tech Alliance and The Kings Fund as part of effort to expand in the industry through collaboration. Health a sector of interest to CEO Jansen amid BT Enterprise resurgence.
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PeopleBerroeta shuffles leadership team again
Technology roles brought together under ex-MTN CTIO Chiarelli. Cooney to lead unified Consumer domain. Leadership now bedded in after 18 months of integration.
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M&ADefences up as Drahi increases BT stake
Patrick Drahi’s Altice UK stops short of a takeover bid, but increases holding to 18%. UK government issues warning that it “will not hesitate” to protect national interests amid concerns of foreign investment in critical infrastructure incumbent. Takeover not Drahi’s ‘intention’, but caveats are in place.
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Suppliers & SCMOpenreach urges Vauxhall to build British ‘green’ fleet
Clive Selley, Openreach CEO, “in talks” with Vauxhall owner Stellantis to increase production of electric vehicles at its UK plant. Vauxhall supplies Openreach’s 28,000-strong commercial van fleet, which will be ‘green’ by 2030. 1,000 EVs currently on the road in Openreach livery.
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PremiumTelefónica people moves: wholesale lead named at VM O2
VM O2 appoints Diego Tedesco to lead its Fixed Wholesale business in challenge to incumbent Openreach. SME-focused team also filled in at newly-merged UK operator, with appointments in marketing, products, and sales. Telefónica Tech draws in new faces from across the Group footprint.
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M&AMagyar Telekom divests healthcare subsidiary
Hungarian NatCo’s T-Systems Hungary business has divested its Pan-Inform subsidiary. Unit will be operated by the state following the deal’s conclusion in early-2022.
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PremiumSafaricom pushes back against monopoly complaints
CEO Peter Ndegwa tells rivals to focus on investments, not accusations. Hearing shows government support for Safaricom, which sees market dominance but not a monopoly.