More on EMEA Telco Leaders – Page 158
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Operations
Vantage drafts MOWEA for mast turbines
TowerCo indicates cleantech R&D tie-up is ready for wider deployment. Deal initially focuses on a small subset of sites in main market Germany, but wider national and international rollout mooted if system checks out.
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Premium
Vodafone Germany trumpets BASF campus network role
BASF is working with Vodafone Germany on campus network trials. Chemicals giant has campus network licences for Ludwigshafen and Schwarzheide, tying with Deutsche Telekom at the former. Vodafone’s RedBox system not being used in Schwarzheide. Campus network approvals reach 186 in 3.7GHz/3.8GHz band and nine at 26GHz.
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People
Openreach’s Service Delivery chief Olly Kunc exits
Quietly leaves the Group, leaving management a shared, interim responsibility of Khatter and Stewart.
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Venturing & Investments
Wayra continues blockchain drive with ‘climate marketplace’ investment
Telefónica’s innovation hub takes part in €7m Pre-Series-A round. ClimateTrade utilises blockchain tech to help its clients reach carbon neutrality.
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Operations
BT and TalkTalk footing the YouView bill as losses mount, Arqiva exits
Latest accounts show the TV platform’s shareholders now down to six, with the two operators keeping the venture afloat. R&D budget remains high at £16m, compared to revenue of just £9m. Telcos remain coy on paying subscribers for their TV services.
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M&A
Vodacom moves closer to Vodafone Egypt takeover
Vodacom gets shareholder backing for acquisition of 51% stake. Regulatory approval is still required.
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Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: Egypt reducing dirty diesel
Regulatory decision on TPG’s FTTB expansion plan nears; Egypt takes hybrid to reduce dirty diesel.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone claims 5G open RAN first
Vodafone UK launches 5G open RAN site, building on government-led open infrastructure ambition. Initial launch leverages partnerships with Capgemini, Dell, Intel, Keysight, Samsung, and Wind River. NEC and Samsung to be used in tandem for 2,500 sites from mid-2022.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica’s PangeaCo begins operations in Peru
Telefónica appears to have failed to find an investor for the Peruvian FibreCo. Political situation may have complicated efforts to find a partner.
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Products & Services
DT to join NFT craze
Operator will open up its own platform in the coming months. Claims clients will not require specialist NFT and crypto knowledge to get started.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Carrier Services flags stc Bahrain tie-up
Partners aim to ‘drive IP adoption’ in the Middle East. Anticipating “tremendous connectivity growth” in the region.
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Premium
Vi flags VoLTE help from Anritsu
Supplier’s cloud-native software provides QoE KPIs and recommends best actions to resolve issues impacting customers. OpCo in process of expanding reach of Anritsu monitoring platform from 20 million VoLTE subscribers to 58 million.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica issues further €5.5bn in green bonds
ESG remains in the Telefónica spotlight with more refinancing at the Group. Decarbonisation and increased executive diversity the criteria for success. Group edges closer to €10bn total volume ambition.
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Premium
Vi overhauls national backbone
New 300G/400G network being launched, with assistance from Ciena.
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Public Affairs
Ofcom details O2 UK ‘carelessness’ in billing investigation
Regulator publishes 74-page document highlighting the extent of O2 UK feet-dragging in its investigation as to why the operator overcharged customers during a seven-year period. Demands O2 UK review its processes and systems to ensure accuracy and completeness of responses to information requests in future. Restates view that £150,000 ...
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Operations
AI not ready for bot-to-bot negotiation — BT’s Brown
Director of Procurement Strategy & Transformation says AI needs more training, but bot-to-bot purchasing “will come”. BT already implements AI tech to help select prospective vendors and optimise supply chain monitoring.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: Cisco & Vodafone selected as SFHA commercial associates
Vodafone’s M&A chaperone boosts takings; named commercial associate by Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, along with Cisco.
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Strategy & Change
DT’s Leroy backs Greek digitalisation plans
Head of Europe Dominique Leroy joins the campaign trail to promote Greek investment via OTE minority subsidiary. €3bn full-fibre investment plan in action to support national digital transformation. Bureaucracy remains a sticking point.
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Network & Infrastructure
Group to sell Spanish copper amid infrastructure tidy-up
Cinco Días report claims private equity firm Macquarie will take over sections of legacy infrastructure from Spanish incumbent, boosting its network assets in the country. Telefónica’s focus remains on hitting a 2025 target for completing its fibre network. While Macquarie comes in, KKR exits Telxius as Telefónica and Pontegadea ...
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Premium
BT people moves: ESG key in New Year changes
Digital impact and sustainability manifesto brings a number of new roles to further ESG agenda. Fibre build challengers Borderlink and Hyperoptic poach ex-BT and Openreach staffers to drive regional FTTP rollout plans. Healthcare remains a key focus for Digital and Enterprise developments.