All Public Affairs articles – Page 27
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Portugal threatens to boycott 5G auction
Objections to auction terms favouring new entrant. Complaints escalated to Brussels, and R&D centre plans reconsidered. Other European auction processes continue to be clouded by traditional operator–regulator machinations, with COVID–19 and trade tensions adding to mix.
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OperationsMagyar Telekom looks for lodgers in new HQ
Operator looking to mitigate overheads after opting to permanently shift to a hybrid working model. 5,500-strong workforce largely remote since spring, bar brief return. Sub-letting to partners on the cards. Wider Group-level philosophy changes take effect.
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Public AffairsCosmote drops the ball on call data
Greek operator under fire, locally, over vulnerability leading to large-scale loss of customer details.
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Network & InfrastructureTelkom calls for Rain-check on Vodacom spectrum tie-up
Complaint to South African Competition Tribunal calls time on spectrum-sharing agreement. Claims competition is at risk, ahead of upcoming spectrum auctions. Vodacom adamant that deals are “pro-competitive”.
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Partnerships & AlliancesGovernment comes clean on SAP–T Systems corona app costs
Health Ministry reveals that some costs were lower than expected but encounters criticism in parliament over how the contracts were awarded to SAP and T-Sys.
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Public AffairsHuawei on retreat as US dials up European pressure
German coalition cabinet reportedly approves measures in IT security bill that, if passed, will effectively ban Huawei from 5G RAN market. Revision looks set to hurt Vodafone’s planning in largest market. Vodafone Greece also looks set for disruption as Pompeo visit increases pressure for a local ban.
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Public AffairsUS dials up European pressure on Huawei
German coalition cabinet reportedly approves measures in IT security bill that, if passed, will effectively ban Huawei from 5G RAN market.
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Public AffairsVodacom fights Lesotho decision to revoke license
Urgent interdict sought over license revocation and “staggering” fine. Insisting still business-as-usual for customers. Lesotho crisis adds to troubling incidents across Vodacom Group.
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Suppliers & SCMBrexit and COVID: BT’s twin supply chain headaches
Group continuing to scrutinise status of 450 key partners, amid logistical and financial turmoil wrought by pandemic. Spread of critical partners under consideration to create greater resilience post-coronavirus and split from EU. Telcos, traditionally known for squeezing suppliers to the max, now focused on keeping them afloat.
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone Greece facing possible Huawei ban
OpCo appears more vulnerable than main rival Cosmote to US pressure on Greek government for a clearout of Huawei network kit.
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Network & InfrastructureBT fires another warning shot over fibre roadblocks
Without the right “policy, legislative and fiscal enablers”, BT warns full-fibre nationwide coverage will not happen until 2033. Government target for universal coverage of “Gigabit-capable broadband” is 2025.
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Network & InfrastructureO2 Germany launches 5G as Merkel looks to quash Huawei ban
Likening the launch to German reunification, O2 is delivering 5G in five cities from October on €40-per-month tariffs. NSA launch paving way for more ambitious plans. Media reports suggest Chancellor Angela Merkel will not ban O2 5G partner Huawei, although political resistance remains, and O2 is readying a back-up ...
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Public AffairsVodacom’s Congo CFO gets out of jail
Chutoo endures four-day stint behind bars. CFO reportedly quizzed on allegations of “forgery” and “falsification of financial statements”; but no formal charges. Vodacom DRC expresses surprise.
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Public AffairsData leak hits T-Mobile Netherlands customers
IT service provider Conduent implicated in another data breach. TMNL’s former Vodafone Thuis customers affected.
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M&ATelefónica jilted in LatAm again
América Móvil gave up on Movistar El Salvador acquisition. Telefónica once again sees sale of a Latin American asset derailed by actions of local competition and regulatory watchdogs.
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PremiumBT continues to mull post-COVID-19 working options
Jansen seeks a return to normality. Changes to practices are afoot, however: Work Your Way flexible working initiative launched; distributed working pros and cons explored.
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Public AffairsTelefónica Argentina hit by Fernández decree
Presidential decree to freeze broadband, telephony, and pay-TV tariffs until end-2020 further weakens Argentina’s place in Telefónica world. Move seen as damaging enough to warrant cross-industry response. In subsequent dialogue with Enacom, operators show some willingness to play ball in return for assurances on “industry sustainability”.
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Strategy & ChangeVivo to generate its own renewable energy
Opportunities for cost-savings are driving Vivo to get more hands-on with adoption of localised renewable energy sources. Twenty-year contract commitments from the operator said to be enabling innovative energy provider projects.
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PremiumPush for TI-Open Fiber tie up
Italian government signals plan to act as broker. Vodafone Italy rival Telecom Italia expected to retain control of single local access network, at least initially.
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Network & InfrastructureMagenta Telekom CEO Bierwirth calls for action to reboot “stuck” 5G rollout
Long-time legal and regulatory challenges around site rollout look to be coming to a head in the 5G era.