All Public Affairs articles – Page 28
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Public Affairs
Deutsche Telekom exec blames regulators for “miserable state” of European market
VP of European Affairs launches no-holds-barred attack; wants regulation to be “enabling” rather than “value-destructing”. Exec calls for rethink on spectrum auctions, wholesale roaming, and mobile termination rates.
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Public Affairs
Brazil’s telcos don’t play ball with US Clean Network plan
Mobile network operators refuse to meet senior US official to discuss exclusion of Huawei’s 5G kit. Vivo’s apparent snub at odds with Group, an apparent supporter of the Clean Network initiative.
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Suppliers & SCM
ISS expects write-off over Deutsche Telekom deal setbacks
Deutsche Telekom’s FM partner expects to record cost write-off as COVID-19 continues to throw spanner in works of its service ramp-up for Group. New CEO remains confident about future profitability of contract. ISS to present ‘strategy refresh’ in December.
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Strategy & Change
CWU plots against BT transformation plans
Union’s Bonfire Night declaration promises fireworks as BT attempts to simplify processes linked to redundancies. BT management under opposing pressure from investors to move more quickly to reduce headcount.
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Products & Services
T-Systems flags blockchain benefits for Europe’s asylum system
Data privacy remains a key stumbling block.
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People
Vodafone facing brewing storm over van Boxmeer appointment?
Controversy over the use of ‘beer promo girls’ continues to hang over Jean-François van Boxmeer, who is on the verge of taking up the reins as Group Chairman. Vodafone says it is satisfied as to its new Chairman’s integrity.
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M&A
Vestager: Brexit complicates O2-VM competitions ruling
European Competition Commissioner signals openness to allowing CMA to oversee the review of O2’s proposed merger with Virgin Media History, and the appeal of the EC being able to reassert its views on market consolidation, may still point to Europe asserting its prerogative however. O2 and Virgin Media see ...
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Public Affairs
TalkTalk stiffens resistance to Openreach network pricing
Alternative network provider is waging an ongoing war with Openreach over wholesale fees.
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Content & TV
BT in cross-fire over pay-per-view matches
Broadcasters switch to pay-per-view model for Premiership football. Flak taken for pricing, but pegged as an interim measure to survive COVID.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone 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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Operations
Magyar 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 Affairs
Cosmote 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 & Infrastructure
Telkom 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 & Alliances
Government 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 Affairs
Huawei 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 Affairs
US 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 Affairs
Vodacom 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 & SCM
Brexit 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 & SCM
Vodafone 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 & Infrastructure
BT 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.