More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 153
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Public Affairs
VodafoneZiggo suspends employee over transgressive behaviour
Dutch JV “shocked” by revelations. Investigation launched amid multiple reports of unacceptable behaviour.
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Suppliers & SCM
Assurant tools up for T-Mobile in store repair deal
Assurant recruits 2,000 technicians and managers to lead same-day repairs service at T-Mobile stores. Contract comes with substantial investment requirements, but upsides anticipated in the coming year. Sprint migration also completed.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telcos turn to youth to help UK fibre buildout
Industry steps up efforts to attract more people in tight labour market and keep fibre rolling. “Unprecedented” demand gives candidates the upper hand. Signs of progress on gender diversity and hiring more women in traditionally male-dominated roles. BT, Openreach, and Virgin Media O2 tout apprenticeship plans.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vivo gets ball rolling on Ânima learning JV
Brazilian operator’s Board clears path to creation of new company focused on digital courses. Vivo confirms 50:50 split with partner Ânima Educação. Some bureaucratic hurdles still to overcome.
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Suppliers & SCM
BT hives off logistics to ‘simplify’ supply chain
Expanded partnership with GXO Logistics sees warehousing and transport requirements handed over, along with 300 BT employees. Procurement chief Cyril Pourrat deems it a milestone in Group simplification programme. Unions typically concerned.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica deepens Oracle on-prem cloud ties in Spain
Operator unveiled as host partner for Oracle Cloud Madrid Region. Highlights (again) importance of using in-country data centres to ensure compliance with national data sovereignty regs and help business continuity. Telefónica Tech to offer Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services and boost PaaS offering.
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Premium
BT people moves: BT Federal fills out
Mike Barthlow appointed CEO at BT’s US public sector division, with senior reports changed in parallel. BT’s healthcare focus tightened with a new HealthTech Incubator under Harmeen Mehta’s Digital domain and strategic health programme lead named at Enterprise. Openreach Service Delivery changes as Olly Kunc ships out.
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Public Affairs
Alierta era scandal still haunting Telefónica
Telefónica pays €6m into court to cover potential civil liabilities linked to trial of disgraced former advisor Rodrigo Rato. Newspaper speculation portrays Rato’s co-defendant, former Telefónica counsel Sánchez de Lerín, as “the man with the briefcase of secrets” linked to the telco. Rato litigation an ongoing hangover from earlier ...
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Operations
Newgate St: BT has left the building
Facilities management partner completes “decommissioning” of the Group’s former HQ, ending long historical association with St. Pauls location.
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M&A
Telefónica mulls Movistar Plus+ options as Vivendi circles
Vivendi reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. French media group seeking approval to increase Prisa stake to 29.9%. Telefónica seeking advice as pay-TV customers drain away in Spain.
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Suppliers & SCM
Chipset shortages delay Openreach provisioning
Ongoing chipset shortages lead to Ethernet product delays at Openreach, adding to problems flagged last year. Semiconductor supply and demand imbalance set to last at least another twelve months. Supply chain problems a recurring theme at BT, too.
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Operations
Little Cab arrives in Ethiopia
Safaricom-backed ride-hailing app attempting to rival Uber in Ethiopian capital. Expansion into the country has been delayed by COVID-19.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Portugal suffers “terrorist” cyberattack
Mário Vaz, Vodafone Portugal CEO, says recovering from “terrorist” incident will be a “lengthy” job. Data, SMS, voice, and TV services impacted, with emergency services forced onto contingency connectivity plans.
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Public Affairs
M-PESA cleared for Ethiopian launch
State Minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance anticipates wider Safaricom launch “sometime in April”. M-PESA app will be introduced to a new market of 116 million people. Question marks remain regarding third telecoms licence in the country.
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M&A
Iliad makes move on Vodafone Italy
France-based Iliad Group said to have tabled an offer to Vodafone board last week. Vodafone share price gets short-lived bounce. Read’s self-styled “proactive” approach to M&A under the spotlight (again).
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Strategy & Change
DT, Vodafone climate plans get mixed reviews
Industry analysis gives DT and Vodafone good marks for “deep decarbonisation” plans, especially when stacked up against some of the world’s largest companies. Praised for headline pledges and transparent emissions reporting, but require work to improve their chances of reaching those commitments. Renewable energy sourcing and indirect, Scope 3 ...
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Premium
Elsewhere in UK: VM O2 to establish refurbished device scheme
VM O2 continues social change efforts with refurbished device lending scheme for temporary accommodation residents; CWU swaps target-driven bonuses for 10% salary increase for retail staff.
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Premium
VM O2 signals private network ambitions
JV collaborating with Nokia on private mobile networks since 2020. Further deals could be in pipeline.
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M&A
Oi mobile sale hits another road bump
Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) representative at antitrust regulator CADE gives thumbs down to proposed sale of Oi Group’s mobile assets to Telefónica|Vivo, Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. Non-binding decision cites competition concerns and recommends “administrative proceedings” to investigate collusion among trio to exclude other interested companies. Oi says ...
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People
Ex-Telekom Deutschland CEO takes chair at altnet
Niek Jan van Damme appointed Chairman at NGN Fiber Network to support expansion ambitions under Eurofiber partnership. van Damme the second ex-Deutsche Telekom name to join the altnet this year.