Latest Regional News – Page 89
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Public Affairs
Vodafone called upon for German emergency alerts
Bundestag amends legislature to pave the way for Cell Broadcast SMS-based early-warning system. July floods expedite political process, with politicians now laying out technical specifications before MNOs get to work.
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Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile locks horns with Dish on CDMA, 12GHz
NatCo begrudgingly extends 3G CDMA network shutdown by three months. Fires criticism at Dish for not taking “responsibility” for migrating customers. Decision comes amid growing tension with satellite TV provider over 12GHz spectrum.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BuyIn boasts transatlantic tech sourcing footprint
Purchasing JV indicates it is widening strategic sourcing scope in North American vendor ecosystem. Comments come with DT seeking to build closer strategic links with its American growth engine.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Oman opens new HQ
Partner Markets’ greenfield operator expected to launch services “very soon”. Taps Ericsson for network and Netcracker for BSS.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone Spain CEO talks up transformation
Vodafone hones in-house IT skills and organises into squads. Share progress on building up platforms and scale. As transformation continues at pace, Vodafone Spain downsizes.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone to overhaul supply chain ops
Warehouse consolidation and digitisation intended to bring greater transparency and control of purchases from China and other key marketplaces. New, digitised stock management facility planned for “small country in the middle of Europe”. Move comes with supply chain resilience and predictability at top of news agenda.
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT ties with China Mobile on international connectivity
Deutsche Telekom wholesale division ties with China Mobile International for connectivity services in Asia and Europe. Agreement launches point of presence at CMI’s German data centre. Ciena technology leveraged for access and transport services.
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Innovation (R&D)
T-Labs and TMUS scoping out immersive shopper tech
Group R&D arm and US NatCo open applications for T-Challenge 2022. Focus on retail vertical, with telco keen to enhance post-COVID experiences for those shopping at home and in-store. Scheme offering share of €600,000 prize pot.
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Products & Services
Vodafone commences Group wide roll out of ‘Eco-SIMs’
Group ups ante on waste reduction with launch of recycled SIM chips. ‘Eco-SIMs’ to be rolled out in 15 territories. Available in UK from spring next year.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Google extends finance initiative support
Google arrows on Africa; XLink ties with AWS; Trend Micro extends range to Africa.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: VfD’s joy over Telekom Deutschland fibre ruling
VfD gets one up on rival Telekom Deutschland over FTTP; VfUK flags progress in trials with Ericsson on reducing massive MIMO energy consumption.
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Venturing & Investments
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: TPG launches smart farming trial
INWIT banks EIB backing; TPG launches government-funded smart farming trial; Vantage shakes CRA hand for Czech IoT expansion.
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M&A
Telefónica sells El Salvador unit at the second attempt
Honduran financiers acquire Telefónica El Salvador for a cut-price $144m following breakdown of negotiations with América Móvil in 2020. Move completes Telefónica’s exit from Central America.
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Premium
TMUS takes to Salesforce unit Slack for remote working
Salesforce’s Gavin Patterson reveals US NatCo is increasing its usage of Slack. TMUS receives plaudits from Slack for its pandemic response.
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Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom’s OneApp to launch in Germany
Germany will be tenth market to deploy the self-service customer care app. OneApp is key product in the Group’s IT harmonisation programme.
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Suppliers & SCM
Oracle picked for Telefónica’s on-prem cloud migration
Telefónica España expands relationship with Oracle with a switch to on-premises cloud infrastructure for mission-critical BSS/OSS. Architecture consolidation and simplification the primary motivator, but cost savings and data regulation also benefits. Wider public cloud migration potentially on the cards.
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Public Affairs
T-Mobile Czech Republic, O2 seek end to antitrust case
Operators offer concessions to settle EC probe of mobile network-sharing arrangements and avoid fines. The national regulator plans to step in and set mobile wholesale prices. Separately, TMCZ fights the regulator’s order to lower its wholesale prices.
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Venturing & Investments
BT forms team to target strategic startup investments
Group getting back in funding game, focusing on startups in North America and Europe. New Digital division’s focus on platforms and partnerships at centre of push.
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Premium
Nokia and Vivo get together on mmWave tests
Brazilian OB chooses Finnish equipment vendor for high-frequency pilot, with FWA on agenda. Temporary 26GHz licence granted by Anatel, as regulator firms up date of long-awaited 5G-optimised spectrum auction. Vivo still free to use Huawei tech.
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Premium
Telefónica Deutschland wheels out voice-over-new radio
Voice calls over 5G SA available in Munich, Potsdam. No timeframes set for VoNR coverage expansion.