All articles by Sam Patterson – Page 5
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Premium
Hispam taps Vubiquity for Movistar Play content
Amdocs Media company expands Telefónica footprint from Brazil to Hispam. Vubiquity provides content acquisition for Movistar Play.
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Partnerships & Alliances
O2 adopts ‘conversational’ AI-based platform
Operator purchases three-year licence, with AI tech set to support long-term aim of becoming CX “champion”.
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M&A
Tele2 ready to pull T-Mobile Netherlands plug
Tele2 Group CEO confirms intent to pivot away from the Dutch market, with focus on its ‘core’ territories. Comments come with DT also pondering options.
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Innovation (R&D)
Wayra widens scope of blockchain tech programme
Innovation unit’s Activation Programme blockchain stream now welcoming proposals from startups in “any sector”.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica Peru set for further workforce cuts
Hispam unit’s headcount reduction plans emerge as part of restructuring process. Layoffs to be given go ahead by MTPE, according to Peruvian news outlets. Move follows stark FY20 results.
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Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone cancels Arch Summit 2021
Cancellation blamed on coronavirus-inflicted restrictions on travel. 2022 dates to be announced in “coming weeks”.
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M&A
CADE makes Vivo wait for share of Oi’s mobile assets
Industry watchdog still inspecting ins and outs of Oi divestment. Closure now expected in early-2022. Consortium partners still confident of being granted go-ahead.
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Public Affairs
BT 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.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica on the front foot with R4E ‘re-skill’ programme
Group-backed EU initiative prepping member states for greater digital adoption and changing landscape of job market. R4E aims to re-skill one million people by 2024. Operator holds re-training interests of its own.
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M&A
Telefónica offloads DCs to Nabiax
Operator exchanges DCs for minority holding in Nabiax. Long-term housing services agreement established. Deal mooted to worth around €100m.
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People
Kanaris takes helm at Vodafone Romania
Senior-level musical chairs at eastern European OpCos. Murielle Lorilloux moves to Vodafone Business. Top spot at Vodafone Albania up for grabs.
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Innovation (R&D)
T-Mobile US on the prowl for e-health startups
US telco opens applications for Wellness Tech incubator. Net cast wide, with startups operating in both B2B and B2C spaces encouraged to apply. TMUS’ 5G innovation network expanding.
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Operations
Deutsche Telekom Pan-Net adds Austrian DCs
Three new data centres added to Pan-Net’s Europe-wide footprint of 17. Project manager Lazova flags DCs ready for “application onboarding” .
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Innovation (R&D)
hubraum unveils first Accuracy Unlocked cohort
Incubator hothouse’s new startup accelerator goes live. Forty -six applicants whittled down to just 13. Potential investment on the table for startups with “most promising” GNSS use-case.
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Products & Services
Plusnet set to join FTTP party
BT-owned service provider to roll out FTTP-based broadband offering later in 2021, with “new” wireless router on the way too.
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Consumer (B2C)
Consumer moves up a gear on customer support
Bridget Lea keen to enhance engagement with customers, at home or in-store. New ‘door-to-door’ device repair service set for launch. Division attempting to ensure service resilience, with post-pandemic consumer habits under watchful eye.
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Partnerships & Alliances
BT Wholesale opens Partner Plus programme
New programme launched with myriad growth opportunities attached. Much in-demand brand-association rights promised for those deemed “eligible”. Long-time partner Spitfire named as Wholesale’s first “Elite” partner.
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Enterprise (B2B)
BT supports Orica’s cloud-native push
Latest “cloud-optimised” tech to be adopted across explosives specialist’s global footprint. BT works longstanding Cisco ties for SD-WAN contract win. Deal also involves deployment of network monitoring and cybersecurity services.
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT’s tooz and Adidas become running buddies
Retailer’s smartphone app and startup’s smart-glasses tech deemed compatible. Operator’s 50:50 JV ramping-up B2B and B2C product development efforts.
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Enterprise (B2B)
Telefónica Tech and Google Cloud offer GÉANT joint package
EU-funded initiative taps longstanding B2B alliance for public cloud offerings. Spanish research institutions in digitalisation mode, with operator on hand to provide technical support. More permanent hybrid classroom practices in pipeline.