More Latest Insight – Page 215
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Innovation (R&D)BT likes NANF hollow core fibre, but work still to do
Senior BT researchers optimistic about multiple use-cases for Lumenisity’s hollow fibre, but commercial timeframes unclear. “Reams and reams of data” still need to be pored over as part of due diligence process. BT confident, however, that Lumenisity has reached the point of producing “duct-deployable” HCF cable.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Turkey CEO signals support for three-way FibreCo
Turkey’s President is said to be in favour of a joint infrastructure company. Recently appointed Vodafone Turkey CEO appears keen too, as part of new 2025 growth strategy.
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Venturing & InvestmentsVodafone ups investment in collaboration player VOSS
Group contributes to new funding round by long-time unified comms services partner. Rare sign of activity at Group’s startup investment unit Vodafone Ventures. VOSS bidding for growth following pandemic shake-up to business collaboration.
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M&ADAZN targets Premier League with BT Sport bid — reports
Reports indicate BT is in “advanced” stage talks with DAZN to offload BT Sport, with a deal mooted “within weeks”. Broadcasting rights the big-ticket item for US streaming specialist, while BT looks to focus efforts on network expansion.
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PeopleVodafone picks Microsoft exec to upgrade purchasing ops
Experienced US buying executive bulks up Vodafone Procurement Company’s supply chain leadership team.
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PeopleDT refreshes management at budget brand congstar
Telekom Deutschland announces new management board for congstar brand, with Kiehl and Opdemom swapped for new MD duo. Ghasemi and Orbach step up, bringing with them a shift in structure.
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Public AffairsVodafone Germany takes action over sales partner fraud
Media report suggests German OpCo could incur fines over data privacy violations. Whistleblower said to have demanded €900,000 in exchange for non-publication of data. German case follows privacy incidents involving third-party agencies in Italy and Spain.
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M&ATelefónica nearing Uruguay exit?
New suitor emerges as Telefónica considers bid for Uruguayan unit. Local politician leading acquisition push on behalf of consortium partners. Reported bid falls some way short of independent valuation.
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Network & InfrastructureBT’s Watson highlights fibre’s central place in network ‘jigsaw’
CTO plays down fixed wireless’s role in meeting UK’s connectivity challenge. CityFibre and Hyperoptic welcome Ofcom’s WFTMR, but want Openreach to remain under strict scrutiny. Virgin Media O2 something of an elephant in the room as altnets pitch themselves as more agile rivals.
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Products & ServicesVirgin Media O2 plans IPTV service launch
First streaming service offer targeted at young consumers. VM O2 sizes up aggregator opportunity.
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Network & InfrastructureDT looks to the future with German ‘fiberisation’
Group’s Dido Blankenburg sees connecting homes as the next big debate. BNetzA highlights need for lighter fibre regulation and cooperation among market players.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Systems Solutions: oneclick expands partnership
oneclick expands partnership; Telekom Security offers training tools.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: “long-term” Sky partnership
Management refresh at congstar; Sky and TDE build up partnership; operator shops at Aldi for home tie-up.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom Investment & Innovation Roundup: hubraum frees up cash
hubraum freeing funding cash, invests in precise positioning and in-building wireless partners; DT quietly exits Dynamic Signal.
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PremiumVodafone Group’s Dutch and British tower partners look to cash in
Liberty CFO says group “not in love with” tower ownership and keen to unlock value in Belgium, Netherlands, and UK. Telefónica hands Goldman Sachs reins to examine prospective Cornerstone share sale.
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OperationsVodafone Spain staff set for more redundancies
Challenged Spanish OpCo initiates plan to remove another 500-plus people from its headcount. Another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation-led efficiency plans.
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Innovation (R&D)BT ties with Sweden’s Skydome on emergency response
VR leveraged by embryonic Skydome for incident monitoring purposes. Startup’s R&D partners include Intel. Potential for deployment at BT’s network of smart ports.
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PremiumCityFibre bags fresh cash injection
Openreach challenger announces fresh funds through stake sale and bond issue. Capital “enables” Project Gigabit ambitions. CityFibre’s FTTP rollout reaches 650,000 premises. Altnet momentum builds with an estimated £8bn in investment publicly promised.
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Venturing & InvestmentsWayra UK sets up fundraising support initiative
UK incubator leans on expertise of outside consultancy to launch Wayraise scheme. Mountside helping ensure Wayra businesses are “investor-ready” and works to facilitate greater flow of VC into startup ecosystem.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone CEO disses DSS
Nick Read flags “performance degradation” when using DSS in blended environment of 4G and 5G. Not clear if all vendors equally guilty in Read’s eyes. Ericsson’s proprietary Ericsson Spectrum Sharing solution used in key Vodafone markets, including Germany and UK. Vendor emphatically denies there is any meaningful performance dip ...