All articles by Richard Agnew – Page 29
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PeopleVodafone twins management of international B2B units
Partner Markets’ CEO Diego Massidda takes on ownership of Carrier Services division. Move adds to wider rework of Group’s international B2B functions as Vodafone seeks post-pandemic growth revival and more joined-up go-to-market approach.
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Strategy & ChangeBT eyes telco tie-ups following buying reboot
Newly inaugurated BT Sourced unit may branch out as a commercial player, selling services to other telcos and big companies. Function’s leadership open to partnerships in and outside industry, including DT and Orange’s BuyIn JV.
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M&AVodacom aims for 100m fintech users on road to sale
CEO Shameel Joosub sets sights on nine-figure base to win better bargaining position with potential buyers and partners. Vodacom taking control of fintech offerings in Ghana and Egypt, to fuel expansion.
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PeopleSwantee ends fleeting spell on Vodafone board
As-yet-unrevealed clash of interests prompts former EE CEO to leave Group after less than two months. Move comes amid M&A action in both UK and Netherlands.
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Enterprise (B2B)Safaricom upping B2B ante with new marketplace
Kenyan operator looking to connect better with small business requirements. Move furthers Safaricom’s “fintech-anchored” digital growth strategy.
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M&AVodafone’s nudge technique gets STC ‘back to table’
Regional media reports indicate that Saudi Telecom Company is seeking to revive a buyout of the Group’s Egyptian business, after failure of 2020 deal. Move follows Vodafone’s exploration of an internal switch of Egyptian OpCo.
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Venturing & InvestmentsVodafone ups investment in collaboration player VOSS
Group contributes to new funding round by long-time unified comms services partner. Rare sign of activity at Group’s startup investment unit Vodafone Ventures. VOSS bidding for growth following pandemic shake-up to business collaboration.
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OperationsVodafone Spain staff set for more redundancies
Challenged Spanish OpCo initiates plan to remove another 500-plus people from its headcount. Another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation-led efficiency plans.
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Strategy & ChangeEvans elevated to lead Telefónica’s digital strategy
Former O2 UK CEO takes a step up the Group management ladder after missing out on role as head of merged UK JV. Potential for pivotal digital double act with Chema Alonso bringing innovation expertise to be harnessed by Evans’ commercial nous. Navarro remains as key adviser to Chairman, ...
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty sees UK–Dutch tower separation “sooner than later”
CFO says group “not in love with” tower ownership and keen to unlock value. Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneZiggo assets in focus.
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Partnerships & AlliancesDT set for trio of Vision Fund tie ups: Claure
SoftBank to give DT a big reservoir of digital partners to draw from as it seeks new revenue streams, starting with European e-mobility, learning, and fintech players. Claure talks up ‘convergence’ and long-term nature of relationship between SoftBank and DT. SoftBank exec looking to make big impression after securing ...
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PremiumDT trades Dutch NatCo for a scoop of US, plus sprinkles
Former DT CEO Obermann steps in with buyout of T-Mobile Netherlands through Apax–Warburg Pincus consortium. Deal is culmination of turnaround effort launched in 2016 when last attempt to sell NatCo fell through. Exit opens the lid on a box of intriguing strategic options for DT. DT directs some of ...
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PeopleSafaricom taps Guinness exec as Ethiopian CFO
Top finance and people hires confirmed as Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia plots build out. Startup operator aiming for 1,000-strong headcount to support 2022 launch.
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Network & InfrastructureLopsided Scottish 4G project shows MNO divergence
After slow start, S4GI scheme now a third of the way towards meeting 2023 site rollout target. But EE remains dominant player, with site activation pipeline more than seven times as large as that of its three rivals. Signs SRN could be shunting S4GI down other MNOs’ priority lists. ...
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Strategy & ChangeBT reviewing Indian tech ops, may insource from partners
Taking a relook at level of work outsourced to third-party providers such as Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahindra. Insourcing would “strengthen” role of BT’s Bangalore-based services operation, increase self-reliance.
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Network & InfrastructureTelefónica Argentina and Sion buddy up on provincial fibre
Argentinian OB to lean on third-party infrastructure to extend connectivity to harder-to-reach communities. Movistar looking at expanding reach of its city-centric FTTP footprint.
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom starts TowerCo separation sequence
Operator looking to install managing executive, and then fuller leadership team, to drive tower separation plans outlined in May. Plan to explore stake sale reiterated. Initial focus on biggest market South Africa.
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Venturing & InvestmentsAfrican energy startup borrows $100m for scale-out plan
Safaricom partner Circle Gas secures nine-figure loan to drive expansion in African (and potentially Asian) markets. Targets include Nigeria and neighbouring markets of Kenya and Tanzania, where startup is already present. Capital needed for investment-heavy distribution platform.
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InterviewInterview: New HQ beckons for Jansen’s “better BT”
As BT prepares to move into a new-era head office in Aldgate, Technology HR boss Mark Murphy speaks to TelcoTitans about the Group’s physical and virtual makeover. Technology reorganisation, facilities facelift, and move to ‘smart working’ viewed as key to refreshing how BT does business. Organic and inclusive approach ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone NZ goes lean as it splits from Group “mothership”
Former Vodafone OpCo’s new managers say unravelling of legacy IT snarl-up remains a work in progress and “fairly challenging”. “High-performance” business reset expected to deliver big earnings lift in current FY and beyond.