Latest Regional News – Page 111
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Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile US goes Nordic (again) for 5G expansion
Longstanding partners Ericsson and Nokia sign “multi-billion-dollar agreements”. Operator makes concerted 5G push at 2.5GHz to complement 600MHz rollout. Nordic duo also tasked with providing “advanced technical capabilities”, including voice over NR, NR carrier aggregation, network slicing, and multi-user massive MIMO.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT clocks onto quantum timing tech
EU-funded consortium hoping to accelerate commercialisation of quantum-enabled clocks. Further expansion to the Group’s ecosystem of quantum partners.
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Strategy & Change
BT turns to disruptive AI veteran in pursuit of Ambition 2030
Airtel CIO Harmeen Mehta bringing even greater AI advocacy and a ‘big tech’ frame of mind to BT’s new Digital division. Philip Jansen looking at bigger picture beyond fibre rollout as he sees Group’s future in delivering a UK platform for software-defined services.
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M&A
Telefónica sells infra biz to American Tower
Telxius finds a home at US infrastructure giant. Transaction expected to wipe €4.6bn off Telefónica net debt.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Deutsche Glasfaser taps Vodafone again
New MNC marketing head at Vodafone Business. Two more Vodafone Germany execs head to fibre altnet Deutsche Glasfaser. Vodafone Hungary appoints replacement Deputy CEO for pivoting Budai.
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Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile US looks to top up kitty amid C-Band feeding frenzy
Operator issues three tranches of Senior Notes. Says C-Band auction “may” have something to do with it, as bidding reaches an eye-watering $80.7bn.
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Network & Infrastructure
Openreach requests COVID vaccine relief
Direct talks between Openreach and government officials confirmed. COVID-19 surge halts operations. Openreach seeks to highlight public importance of connectivity.
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M&A
DT said to be upping ante on Dutch sale talks
Possible sale of T-Mobile Netherlands could square with long-rumoured plan to buy KPN in order to bolster the Group’s convergence strategy.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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Products & Services
DT’s tooz JV surfaces with smart-glasses dev kit
Tools available in China first, Europe and other markets later this year. Product development progress for smart-glasses startup after three years.
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M&A
Telefónica seeks suitor with Chile exit in pipeline
Speculative report suggests Group is ready to relinquish interest in a key pillar of its Hispam unit as monetisation plans evolve. Liberty flagged as front runner, although may face regulatory challenges, and other runners and riders not ruled out.
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Suppliers & SCM
Altiostar flagged as supplier for Vodafone partner AST SpaceMobile
Vodafone signals plan to integrate SpaceMobile service with Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone offerings initially in DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
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Financial & Performance
Vi eyes $2bn cash injection
Reports suggest Vodafone’s Indian joint venture will announce funds from a consortium of investors imminently. Fundraising initiative began in September to ease Vi’s debt burden, with 4G expansion also expected to get a boost.
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M&A
Viasat buys out T-Mobile partner RigNet
Maritime connectivity provider RigNet acquired by satellite specialist Viasat in $222m deal. T-Mobile US partnered with RigNet in July 2019, but COVID-related issues have pegged back progress.
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M&A
T-Mobile ties up another Sprint loose end with Swiftel buy
US NatCo buys Sprint-branded wireless assets operated by Swiftel Communications, leaving Shentel as the last remaining Sprint affiliate.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica in on SEAT’s flagship Spanish e-vehicle plan
Longstanding partner builds-out connected-car alliance with Telefónica. Group lends hand to SEAT’s goal of accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Spain.
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Network & Infrastructure
Australia’s mobile network operators pitch for 5G funding
TPG, Telstra, and Optus angle for lion’s share of spoils from the government’s Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. They caution against allocating funds to niche 5G projects and players, arguing it will produce poor returns on taxpayers’ money. Trio advocates MNO-led partnerships as best-suited applicants.
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Network & Infrastructure
Safaricom puts 5G on ice
Kenyan operator plans to focus on building its 4G business for now. Safaricom’s previous reliance on Huawei comes under spotlight amid ongoing US trade talks.
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Premium
Deutsche Telekom people moves: Capital Partners arm continues to expand
Former executive Jochen Alt named CTO at AI startup Greyparrot. New signings from Huawei and Nokia join T-Mobile Netherlands and T-Mobile US, with Dutch NatCo focusing in on convergence. Digital Alpha’s Aurin Bhattacharjee joins the ever-evolving DTCP.
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Consumer (B2C)
Movistar steps up smart-home drive
Longstanding partner and stakeholder CaixaBank namechecked as partner on TV-based payment solution. Group’s smart-home play given potential leg up by pandemic, with expanded Living Apps catalogue.