More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 151
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Innovation (R&D)
BT breaks ground on sustainable housing project
BT and partners New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Suffolk began construction on the EcoLab zero-carbon affordable home project. Forms part of Adastral Park’s DigiTech Centre, building on ties with the Group’s university partner.
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Premium
Vodafone Q3 FY21–22: Read asserts “proactivity” on M&A
Management seeks to seize back agenda amid growing City pressure for urgency on assets sales. Minimal progress appears to have been made on Read’s long-term push for four-to-three consolidation. German operation unsurprisingly draws questions following embarrassing missteps.
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Public Affairs
Tearful DT tech boss urges sector to “be human”
Claudia Nemat calls for industry to step up on sustainability and human-centred tech development, amid wave of global crises. DT adapts MWC presence in light of Ukrainian situation. “Intensive discussions” took place over event withdrawal. Robbie Williams demo cancelled.
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People
Telefónica alumnus tapped for state’s expanded Indra interest
Communications director Sergio Sánchez reportedly added to board at former Telefónica investment Indra Sistemas. News follows a 10% increase in the Spanish government’s shareholding in the company and adds to apparent power struggle in the boardroom.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone sends Instant Networks to Ukraine border
Vodafone Foundation starts setting up portable base stations to support refugees in Hungary and donates humanitarian aid. OpCos offer free calls and texts to Ukraine and free roaming for customers remaining in Ukraine. Partner Markets span both sides of the conflict.
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Venturing & Investments
Revealed: DT’s fibre linkup with ex-Deutsche Glasfaser bosses
Group investment arm DTCP takes large minority stake in startup Fiber Experts Deutschland. Venture sees DT link up with former Deutsche Glasfaser execs Uwe Nickl and Dr. Stephan Zimmermann. Ex-DT executive Wolfgang Kniese involved in venture’s management.
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Partnerships & Alliances
E.ON taps Vodafone for IoT-backed water meters
Vodafone Germany set to deploy 1,000 “intelligent” meters to detect pipe damage and conserve resources. Plug and play technology aims to hasten deployment and meet anticipated future demand.
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Suppliers & SCM
Outsourcer ISS confident on DT mega-deal recovery
Deutsche Telekom’s German facilities partner says it has worked through majority of deal restructuring programme instigated in 2020. Business continues to target breakeven by end of FY22.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Safaricom signs up VMware as Ethiopian cloud partner
New OpCo to use vendor’s Telco Cloud Platform to underpin network and IT functions as it sets up greenfield operation.
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Financial & Performance
DT’s FY21 report: events intervene but an empowered Höttges talks tough on towers
Another strong year of growth for Group, led by USA. Unfortunate clash with Ukraine invasion dulls shareholder reaction. Executives stress openness and flexibility when it comes to a big TowerCo deal, but want full recognition of DT assets’ worth. Muddiness on future of BT holding. Inflationary pressures said to ...
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M&A
INWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica’s FY21 comms decrypted: anticipating a new, asset-light dawn
Solid organic performance fuels management confidence in Telefónica’s ability to maintain growth and regain traditional swagger. New Spain and UK FibreCos to round off Group infrastructure monetisation programme. Near-term growth may still be dependent on inorganic activity in Brazil and JV success in UK.
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M&A
Vodafone explores sale of Indus Towers stake
Group plans to use some of the proceeds to take part in Vi fundraising exercise. Bharti Airtel could buy another 4.7% stake in Indus Towers. Indus security arrangements have been modified, but TowerCo still protected from Vi weakness. In Europe, Vodafone could lose Telecom Italia as partner in ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT extends 1&1 wholesale deal to fibre
German operator adds ten years to fixed network partnership. Local regulator’s promise for “light” regulatory approach to fibre pays off.
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Strategy & Change
DT prepared to scale back Russian hub amid crisis
DT has thousands of employees in Russia. CEO indicates the Group could shift staff and operations away from St. Petersburg software development function, in response to Ukrainian crisis. Tasks could be shifted to other digital hubs in India or eastern Europe. Crisis brings centre’s expansion plans to an ...
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M&A
Telefónica preps new vehicle for digital M&A in Brazil
Local operating business Vivo indicates it may channel deals through a new platform as it seeks to build out its digital services ecosystem. Move would extend Vivo’s control over M&A and provide an alternative route to Telefónica’s central Wayra and Tech divisions.
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Network & Infrastructure
Höttges gives OTE personal vote of confidence
Hails “growth prospects” of Greek operator on FTTP field visit to Athens. Says Greece is “very significant” to Deutsche Telekom.
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Network & Infrastructure
Safaricom taps Huawei and Nokia in Ethiopia
OpCo looks set to stick with existing partners for new network. Launch appears on track as STE builds up a head of steam.
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Network & Infrastructure
BT wants more suppliers to support quantum leap
Operator wants to bring down tech costs to help commercialise new set of services being prepared with next-gen encryption. Comments come with telco weeks away from debuting its first quantum-enabled metro network. Telco prepping international quantum security services play.
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M&A
Telefónica Tech UK&I hints at more acquisitions
Telefónica Tech to continue UK shopping spree this year. After snapping up Cancom UK&I, division wants to expand cloud and cybersecurity presence in the region.