Middle East
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Financial & Performance
What has the past week revealed about telecoms tariff exposure?
Analysis: Following the past week of international markets grappling with the USA’s now-paused ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, TelcoTitans mined the global data for impact on top telcos, vendors and digital infra players…
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Strategy & Change
GCX revives FLAG brand in digital infra-focused strategic rethink
International data centre and submarine cable operator revives FLAG marque to house infrastructure assets, with plans to invest further in cables across “more geographies” and create new “customer-tailored” propositions…
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People
stc’s CEO joins Telefónica board as new shareholders reset pecking order
Long-anticipated boardroom rejig sees stc boss Olayan Alwetaid confirmed as telco’s representative in Spain, following recent stake increase — but Spanish government expand its influence over decision-making in parallel.
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M&A
Saudi tower consolidation rolls on as state fund completes TAWAL buy
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF completes combination of existing tower assets with those of TAWAL, creating new player with 30,000-mast portfolio. Move marks another step towards achieving objectives of country’s Vision 2030 strategy…
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Network & Infrastructure
Orange puts its weight behind AI drive in France and EU
The operator is set to play a key role in AI initiatives as the EU rises to meet the challenge posed by China and the USA.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone scales IoT ambitions with Saudi Arabia’s Mobily
Vodafone Business IoT continues effort to drive international growth with Middle Eastern deal, tapping e& links. Move drives unit towards goal of reaching new markets with IoT as it closes in on 200 million devices connected…
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Strategy & Change
stc secures stake (and strategic say) at Telefónica
Saudi operator increases its holding in Spanish operator to just below 10%, following government approval for controversial move in November. Share buy to be accompanied by a Board of Directors seat, confirming stc’s position of influence over Telefónica, alongside Spanish government, as Group changes complexion. Read more…
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Products & Services
Orange seeks home advantage with new value added services and store
Home services head Chem Assayag emphasises need to identify specific offerings that will have customer appeal.
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Marketing
Deutsche Telekom retains title of most valuable telecoms brand
Latest ranking from Brand Finance shows Deutsche Telekom remains the most valuable telecoms brand in the world, while expansive rival e& is the fastest growing.
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Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: space wranglings, Indian reset
Latest from Vodafone, including a reset in India; words of warning from ex-Group CEO Vittorio Colao; strategic changes to European OpCo leadership; and the threat of more legal trouble in the UK…
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Turkey rises as Group’s star growth performer
Group management gives special attention to Turkish OpCo and its leadership with effusive praise for delivering outsized revenue growth in latest results.
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Weekly Briefings
Infrawatch Weekly: UK altnets chase funding, DTCP backs Ireland for datacentres, physical infra sparks objections
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including CityFibre exceeds 2023 expectations; Atlantic Hub datacentre expansion in Ireland; Huawei UK increases security test spend; Italy bids for strategic subsea assets, and plenty more…
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Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: ups and downs for Group M&A projects
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: green light for Italian sale, news from wannabe acquisition Nowo, and TPG’s fibre assets still in the shop window; Fries weighs VodafoneZiggo future; Vi bags networks deal in latest turnaround attempt…
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M&A
stc said to be back in Telefónica stake-building mode
Saudi operator reportedly considering increasing Telefónica stake beyond 9.9% should Spanish gov approve September 2023 share purchase.
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Weekly Briefings
Vodafonewatch Weekly: UK merger turns a corner, Italian sale hit with fresh challenge
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: closer scrutiny for Vodafone Italy sale to Swisscom; TPG cuts down, adds roaming partner; satellites in focus in African markets, just as SpaceMobile takes flight in US; more from Africa, Europe, and beyond…
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People
Ex-Vantage boss Badrinath takes role as GSMA Director General
Vivek Badrinath to replace Mats Granryd in leading the organisation, starting in April 2025.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone linked to 5G SA network plan in Uzbekistan
Local reports suggest Vodafone could lend its know-how and brand to a new 5G SA network in Uzbekistan, and would join partner and shareholder e& in supporting the effort.
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Network & Infrastructure
Magyar Telekom gives 2G a stay of execution through expanded Yettel tie-up
Having shut down 3G in 2022, Hungarian operator looks to have found a solution to the more complex puzzle of 2G asset retirement with a deal to outsource management of its early-generation services to rival Yettel.
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Financial & Performance
Hrvatski Telekom accelerates fibre build amid strong H1
Croatian operator ups FY24 capex guidance on back of faster than expected revenue growth in first six months of the year, and indicates flow of fibre infra add-ons is accelerating.
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M&A
Vodafone Portugal attracts Saudi buyout — report
Portuguese telecoms brace for another stc advance if rumours are believed, with Vodafone transitioning from local buyer to acquisition target. Plan B to stitch up Iberian synergies with stc’s Telefónica stake in Spain?