All Profile articles
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Network & InfrastructureReady when you are: Blue Planet’s OSS supergroup
Blue Planet is in no doubt it has the technology to take telcos’ operational systems to the cloud and AI, but considered just as important is confidence in people and commitment to translate capability into meaningful customer benefits.
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PeopleDeep dive: Kirkby’s BT reign set to bring new partners, new purpose, and “stupid questions”
As the dust settles on news of Allison Kirkby’s appointment as Philip Jansen’s replacement, TelcoTitans examines the mindset and values of the incoming CEO. The Telia CEO brings with her close links to private equity, a fearless approach to unpopular opinions, and an innovative perspective on the future of infrastructure.
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Suppliers & SCMBT partner Versed AI on swerving supply chain strife
With volatility biting businesses, University of Cambridge spinout attracts investment from range of backers with interests in sourcing sustainability and transparency, including fund linked to eBay creator Pierre Omidyar.
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ProfileCEO Lutz Schüler relishes challenger role at VM O2
After Virgin Media O2’s first 100 days, Schüler is raring to go head-to-head with BT on full fibre, wholesale, and B2B. Reportedly in talks with Sky on fibre investment. Determined merger integration won’t slow VM O2 down. Big believer in “data and digital” for delivering what customers want; hints ...
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ProfileWhich Drahi has BT got itself entangled with?
Altice empire expands into UK. Drahi: a fibre visionary or ruthless financer? Does BT investment represent change of tack by rapacious wheeler-dealer?
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Vendor VoiceTeradata: telco leaders must step up to seize data opportunity
Breaking down silos to seamlessly orchestrate data can deliver a virtuous circle of customer improvement and operational efficiency, presenting a springboard for a strategic reboot. In adopting tech sector business models, telcos have yet to fully grasp the value of their data assets, with coordination acting as a powerful ...
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InterviewAvidan puts strategy in motion at Deutsche Telekom IoT
Avidan brings entrepreneurial mindset to DT IoT as he seeks to transform the business and meet growth ambitions. Major strategic initiative, IoT Hub, planned for commercial launch in early-2021. Hints are made at “inorganic activities” in future, but current initiatives driven by organic efforts and strategic partnerships.
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InterviewInterview: Telekom Security CEO Thomas Fetten charts growth course
Thomas Fetten gets to work on focusing T-Sec portfolio and charting course for growth, while looking for M&A, JVs, and partnership opportunities. Key growth areas include industrial control, cloud, and consulting. Regional focus is Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for now; geographic expansion planned for next phase.
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Vendor VoiceSalesforce Industries: bringing cloud Vlocity to telco CX
As the CRM giant sharpens its focus on telco transformation, Salesforce Industries highlights the need for operators to lose legacy baggage, embrace cultural change, and focus on collaboration to move at digital pace. Experience of acquisition Vlocity demonstrates three trends in telco transformation, from gradual evolution to enthusiastic adoption ...
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Vendor VoiceF5: telcos need allies for digital leap forward
In an interview with BTwatch, key figures from F5’s European operations discuss the application security service provider’s relationship with BT Group in the wake of securing a place on the telco’s streamlined list of 15 certified security partners. Richard Holben, the vendor’s BT Global Account Manager, and Ian Harris, ...
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PremiumSpecial Report: Vodafone’s billion-dollar bash
Vodafone has spent much of the last 15 years paring back an eclectic wardrobe of ill-fitting minority interests, built up in more extravagant and expansionist times. But now, after a more cost-conscious round of business reshaping, it’s refilled its portfolio with a new range of partly-owned associates and JVs. ...
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ProfileProfile: José María Álvarez-Pallete López, Visionary Technocrat
Telefónica’s Executive Chairman and an avid numbers man, Álvarez-Pallete will take some convincing to follow business plans of others.
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ProfileProfile: Kumar Mangalam Birla, Global Expansionist
Straight-talking and hard-working, Birla is a formidable businessman. His commitment to Vodafone Idea cannot be taken for granted.
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ProfileProfile: Luigi Gubitosi, Turnaround Maestro
Gubitosi likes to shake things up to get cost-cutting results, even if means upsetting people.
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ProfileProfile: Victor Li Tzar-Kuoi, Son of Superman
Arguably still in the shadow of his father, the renowned Li Ka-shing, Li Tzar-Kuoi may prove easier to do business with than Read’s other billionaire-dollar guests profiled here.
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ProfileProfile: John Malone, Cable Cowboy
Eccentric billionaire Malone will push Vodafone hard for expansion, probably through acquisition, but any conflict at VodafoneZiggo seems to be reasonably contained so far.
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ProfileProfile: Dominique Senequier, Insurance Queen
A penchant for l’activisme” makes private equity specialist Senequier a potentially challenging business partner.
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ProfileProfile: Sunil Bharti Mittal, Family Guy
A self-made billionaire, Mittal knows how to challenge the busines status quo. His restlessness for growth may take some satisfying.
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ProfileProfile: David Teoh, Man of Mystery
Billionaire recluse Teoh is entirely focused on what the customer wants. He seems unlikely to rein in his instincts following a TPG Telecom “merger of equals” with Vodafone Hutchison Australia. Of our eight profiles, we think Teoh will likely cause Read the most trouble.