More Latest Insight – Page 268
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PremiumBT people moves: IT executives reshuffled
IT Managing Director Rachel Higham confirmed her departure, leaving a vacancy for the all-important IT transformation project. Changes to Group’s regional management, including the exit of BT’s England Director and a new Openreach Scotland chair. High-profile alumni take advisory spots at UK regulators.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone clicks with Amazon on 5G edge service
Vodafone Business’ year-long collaboration with AWS on distributed MEC close to bearing fruit. First commercial services in UK, Germany slated for spring 2021. Vodafone and AWS initiate Edge Innovation Programme to develop PoCs.
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Strategy & ChangeLiberty likes idea of VodafoneZiggo listing
Vodafone partner’s CFO argues that an IPO would command “premium valuation” in comparison with incumbent KPN. Bracken casts Vodafone as “wonderful partner”, and that the JV has done a “great job” in cutting costs and increasing revenue. Talks enthusiastically about VodafoneZiggo as “national FMC champion”. ...
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Public AffairsVodafone takes political heat over customer complaints
Ministers scold eir and Vodafone Ireland for poor customer service during pandemic. Following meetings, outage disrupts VfIr data services.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone picks Greece for e-health R&D hub, post-COVID
Vodafone Greece’s IoT subsidiary to head e-health research and development centre. Two IoT solutions being prepared for launch as Vodafone Innovus pivots to new vertical.
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Strategy & ChangeCould Telefónica exit Uruguay next?
Telecom Argentina reportedly mulling play for the Group’s local unit. Telefónica executives stress they remain open to all options to reduce its exposure in the Hispanoamérica region. Group continuing to experience frustrations in snakes-and-ladder-esque regional divestment programme.
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Venturing & InvestmentsWeaveworks sews up Deutsche Telekom funding
Group taps Telekom Innovation Pool to join in on Series-C round with several big industry names. Weaveworks, creator of Kubernetes platform GitOps, takes total funding to $60m. TIP investment suggests Deutsche Telekom partnership could extend beyond mere fiscal support.
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Strategy & ChangeCzech operator tops up on O2
O2 Czech Republic extends right to use Telefónica’s European brand name beyond 2030. Group’s ties with operator’s majority stakeholder not totally severed.
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PeopleIT transformation lead Rachel Higham leaves BT
Higham, Managing Director of IT, leaves a vacancy currently plugged by key lieutenant Mark O’Flaherty. Exec appointed CIO at advertising giant WPP. Self-styled “Chief Sherpa” leaves with substantial transformation work still to be done, despite marked progress.
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Network & InfrastructureOfcom hints at ten-year “fair bet” timeframe for BT
Openreach to be unconstrained on full-fibre pricing until 2031 under proposed plans from the regulator. Jansen claims he would rather have a cap on returns, and more time. Fellow infrastructure builders happy with clarity, but Openreach customer TalkTalk unhappy with impact on wholesale. Regulatory clarity may kickstart discussions on ...
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone supports drone inspection trial led by Sees.ai
Multimillion-pound drone project ready for deployment, with VfUK a key enabler. Drones to work as surveillance system for construction sites — just one of its many potential use-cases, according to Group CTO. Another addition to Group’s expanding portfolio of drone tech collaborations.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDeutsche Telekom reveals first Campus Network Program members
Robotics players first to win places in Deutsche Telekom’s Industry 4.0 innovation scheme. Solutions to emerge from hubraum programme could be integrated with Group products. DT’s partner ecosystem steadily growing.
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PeopleKatie Milligan takes Openreach chair in Scotland
Milligan, Openreach MD for Customer, Commercial & Propositions, to become Chairman of the Scotland Board in 2021. Scottish know-how tapped for unique regional challenges. 40-year veteran Brendan Dick to vacate the spot.
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Network & InfrastructureINWIT ties up loose ownership end
Telecom Italia sells remaining direct stake in TowerCo, co-controlled with Vodafone, to Canson Capital Partners.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica and BBVA tie on Movistar Money joint venture
Consumer finance business green-lighted for launch in Colombia. Group extends partnership with stakeholder BBVA. Move continues recent refresh of Telefónica’s financial services partnerships.
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Group: Colao tipped for fast lane
Fast lane for Colao?; Vodafone draws IoT.nxt further into fold; Vodafone brand disappears from Malta.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Portugal grudgingly files 5G auction application
Portuguese OpCo indicates legal battle over auction rules is ongoing.
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Suppliers & SCMNETSCOUT flags Vodafone deal extension
Vendor maintains its position for what could be a further three to four years.
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Network & InfrastructureBT calls for alternatives to fibre in rural Wales
Connecting the most challenging premises not viable under the USO. Openreach, backed by government infrastructure committees, wants to look beyond FTTP for gigabit access.
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Network & InfrastructureOpenreach connects dots in Highlands and Islands
Regional fibre programme reaches its conclusion with targets surpassed. R100 scheme to pick up the baton in 2021 to continue superfast expansion to Scottish hinterlands.