All articles by Richard Agnew – Page 26
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Public AffairsEthiopia presses pause on third licence contest
Regulator initiates another stoppage after interested parties request delay over RFP “concerns”. Move adds to sense of turbulence around Safaricom’s planned entrance into the country during 2022.
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Suppliers & SCMDeloitte ‘in line for Deutsche Telekom auditing role’
Report indicates operator is close to concluding a prolonged and politicised auditor selection process. Deloitte now seen as in pole position to replace incumbent PwC.
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M&AGroup’s Central America withdrawal complete
El Salvador’s Superintendencia de Competencia gives Group green light to exit the market through transaction announced with General International Telecom in autumn. No conditions attached to approval, unlike earlier deal with América Móvil that ended up collapsing. Deal is final of five regional sales by Group.
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Financial & PerformanceBT’s M&A chaperone boosts takings
Boutique advisory firm Robey Warshaw reports a 50% jump in sales from corporate deal-making tasks. Partner of BT and Vodafone appears primed to benefit from industry’s new wave of consolidation.
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Products & ServicesSafaricom to seed DigiFarm agri services in Ethiopia
Kenyan operator gives a hint of digital services that will form part of its line-up when it debuts in Ethiopia next year.
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Strategy & ChangeDT wants another turn on Greek “rollercoaster”
CFO of Greek NatCo OTE’s parent division reminisces on challenges DT has faced in the country since ill-timed 2008 entrance. German operator remains “committed” to the country and optimistic regarding digitalisation opportunities. Call made for action on tax, regulation, and bureaucracy to improve return-on-capital, however.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone seeks a bit of tech stardust with Nova platform
New “innovation management ecosystem” promises financial and business support to execs with bright ideas. Focus appears both internal and external, with customers and partners of Vodafone expected to become involved. Move forms part of broader reset of Vodafone’s platforms and services strategy.
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Financial & PerformanceTalkmobile revamp takes a knock from COVID-19
Vodafone UK’s bid to refresh side-business Talkmobile gets bogged down as economising customers and intense competition hit revenue. OpCo still sees inhouse MVNO as a useful defence mechanism against low-cost mobile rivals.
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PremiumFamilyMode relaunch now pegged for early-2022
TMUS partner Smith Micro confirms deal has finally been struck on a new SafePath 7-based FamilyMode 3.0 product. Agreement enables TMUS to tidy up a range of legacy Sprint and T-Mobile family safety offerings.
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PremiumVodafone wants rapid 5G start after escaping Portugal auction shackles
Portuguese OpCo debuts 5G after long delay in securing rights. Little potential for ARPU uplift on show as operators begin 5G commercial race.
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Network & InfrastructureSpaceMobile confirms slippage on BlueWalker 3 launch
Deployment of prototype satellite rescheduled for next summer. SpaceX-supported launch is precursor to integration and testing programme with Vodafone and other partner MNOs.
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PremiumNetcracker BSS gets a digital spruce-up
Upgrade of Vodafone Spain’s existing BSS system aims to deliver improved speed and insight, as well as being able to deal with the complexity of multi-play services.
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Premium1&1 offers challenging maths for Vantage and Vodafone
TowerCo wins a potentially important reference deal with Vodafone German challenger 1&1. Strategically complex win clouded by reports of internal ructions.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica goes MagNET fishing for telco SME tie-ups
Growth division reveals it has been building out a new B2B service delivery platform to strengthen its place in the value chain. Telco and SI partners being sought to extend MagNET-based offerings “globally”.
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Network & InfrastructureDT begins hiring for German fibre startup
Joint venture with Australia’s IFM begins recruitment of commercial and IT staff, as it seeks a slice of municipalities’ subsidised Gigabit roll outs.
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Strategy & ChangeShip steadied at Deutsche Telekom UK
Much-diminished British unit says increasing app usage generating uptick in usage and revenue. Business assures over “long-term plan” for DT’s operational presence in UK.
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OperationsTelefónica presents redundancy plan to Spanish unions
Union negotiations begin over new phase of headcount reduction. Reports suggest more than 3,000 staff will be offered voluntary redundancy, although eventual job cut total expected to be lower. Move comes amid ongoing competition and inflation concerns.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT renews Middle Eastern partnerships
Long-running R&D tie-up gets extended, with BT’s engagement with Etisalat and Khalifa University stretching a further five years. BT Applied Research MD Tim Whitley among those involved.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 guidance: on-point numbers prompt upward correction
Group gains confidence from “in line” H1 numbers to raise floors on earnings and cash flow.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 spend: capex boost falls silent, opex squeeze paused
Presentation sees no further update on (somewhat contentious) Group plans for a capex lift to fuel digital services growth. Executives moot another exceptional investment boost in Germany, for fibre rollout. Group Finance’s headline opex reduction programme comes to a temporary halt, amid pandemic effects.