All Public Affairs articles – Page 25
-
PremiumBT doubles down against overcharging allegations
Group intends to “vigorously defend” itself against a class action lodged with competition authorities that alleges historic overcharging for voiceonly customers.
-
PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced’s new home
Better Workplace marches on; BT Sourced finds a home.
-
Public AffairsSafaricom split proposal all but quashed
Overwhelming majority of MPs choose not to engage in debate over Kenyan operator’s future structure. Controversial proposal does little to revive ghosts of the past.
-
Public AffairsT-Mobile US confirms loss of customer data in new breach
Sixth and largest data breach in four years affects nearly 55 million people. TMUS CEO Mike Sievert: “We failed. We’re sorry”. Sievert pledges multi-year investment and calls in experts from Mandiant and KPMG to “transform” TMUS approach to security. Hacker says TMUS security is “awful”. Questions remain for TMUS ...
-
M&AVivo set for a longer wait as CADE rules Oi deal is complex
Regulator to take its time to examine Oi divestment in detail. Decision confirms fears that closure will likely take place in 2022. Suggestion raised that deal could even be rejected.
-
Public AffairsUzan family sues Vodafone and others for $68bn
Turkish clan of business tycoons claims its assets were illegally seized and sold by the state. Vodafone’s 2005 acquisition of Telsim among the family’s grievances. Group denies all allegations of contributing to defraud the Uzans.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telekom Deutschland: flooding impact exposed
Network impact laid bare as flash floods that hit Europe during July 2021 receded.
-
Public AffairsDRC: Vodacom denounces ‘arbitrary’ engineer arrest
Vodacom DRC formally protests arrest of engineer on allegations of fraud. Controversial mobile device registry at the centre of the row, which has in recent months seen marches on the streets of Kinshasa.
-
OperationsFour-day weeks and home working at Telefónica
“Avant-garde” union deal writes in provisions for permanent hybrid working for 15,000 employees. Four-day week pilot promised for volunteer employees, with an accompanying drop in pay. 1% salary increase also flagged.
-
Public AffairsNI report criticises past public broadband projects
Audit Office report cannot verify that two broadband projects “achieved value for money”. High service take-up rates suggest not all public funding was needed. NI expected to claw back £14m of public funds from BT. Hopes for £165m Project Stratum to deliver better outcome for rural broadband.
-
PremiumAGCM initiates probe into BT Italia divestment
Italy’s competition watchdog examining ins and outs of BT’s deal with TIM. Concern from competitors as TIM seeks to consolidate market position. BT to retain a presence in the country whatever the outcome.
-
Public AffairsNational court backs Telefónica over Canal+ deal
Audiencia Nacional rejects claims made by Vodafone Spain and others that 2015 DTS acquisition impedes competition. Expresses confidence in regulator CMMC to monitor pay TV market.
-
M&AVM-O2 sets sights on BT as merger gets final clearance
CMA’s final approval should see deal completed by 1 June. Owners trumpeting investment opportunities with fibre InfraCo potential coming to the fore.
-
Public AffairsBT re-enters union talks, with strike action looming large
BT gets “serious” in negotiations with CWU and is said to have halted redundancies — for now. Union looking to secure assurances on job security for “all” members. Proposed ballot to go ahead in early-June if talks come to nothing.
-
Public AffairsSees.ai gets all-clear for BVLOS drone flights
VfUK drone partner achieves UK-first permission. Tests to be carried out at three nominated sites. OpCo flags separate drone trial collaboration with Ericsson and Lidar tech for remote cell site inspections.
-
Innovation (R&D)UK access to Horizon Europe unclear
Government offers to pay some of the costs, but not all, to access EU’s Horizon Europe scientific funding initiative. The successor to Horizon 2020, which BT has tapped into, Horizon Europe has an R&D budget of €95.5bn.
-
PremiumBT “disappointed” as government tweaks voucher scheme
Government kicks off first phase of £1.2bn Project Gigabit. £210m for rural voucher scheme, but fewer communities are eligible; £110m for connecting rural doctors’ surgeries, libraries, and schools. DCMS Delivery Plan suggests considerable uncertainty on most effective way to target government spending.
-
Public AffairsDeutsche Telekom’s EAN is legal — ECJ
DT partner Inmarsat welcomes European Court of Justice ruling and decries drawn-out legal spat. Ruling “provides certainty” to existing EAN users and opens door to new customer alliances. ECJ guidance to be heard in pending cases, but national courts have final say.
-
Public AffairsVodafone Germany braces for cable rule changes
New law could end bundling cable TV with housing association rental fees. VfD could lose two million subscribers, estimates Jefferies.
-
PeopleÁlvarez-Pallete hails Spanish leadership in digital revolution
Telefónica Executive Chairman says Spain is in a “leadership position” in digitisation, but requires a new “framework” to take full advantage. Data underlined as paramount, with a ‘social contract’ needed to ensure privacy and fair valuation.