All Strategy & Change articles – Page 73
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PremiumVodafone responds to Ukraine crisis on multiple fronts
Suspends 14-year Partner Markets agreement with Russia’s MTS. Vodafone Foundation deploys portable base stations to support refugees in Hungary and donates humanitarian aid. OpCos offer free calls and texts to Ukraine, and free roaming for customers remaining in the country. Vodafone Ukraine blocks roamers from Russia and supports customers ...
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PremiumElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Cyta’s bold 5G claims
Cyta claims Cyprus will be first to reach 100% 5G population coverage in EU; Rogers’ Q4 FY21 profits down 10% on last year; Vodafone Qatar builds submarine cable station to extend Vodafone Group-backed 2Africa subsea cable.
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Products & Services1NCE, Cisco on board as DT and T-Mobile meld IoT platforms
DT and T-Mobile US harmonising IoT management platforms as operators come together on transatlantic IoT play. 1NCE and Cisco among chosen enablers. Group’s stake in startup increases after 2021 funding round.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT strikes improved deal for Cellnex site access
“Enhanced” terms for a site services deal in place until at least 2031 will support EE’s 5G upgrade in key areas. Cellnex asserting its pro-competitive credentials as it slams the CMA for overstepping its remit in questioning the InfraCo’s planned acquisition of CK Hutchison’s UK towers.
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PremiumVodafone Q3 FY21–22: Read asserts “proactivity” on M&A
Management seeks to seize back agenda amid growing City pressure for urgency on assets sales. Minimal progress appears to have been made on Read’s long-term push for four-to-three consolidation. German operation unsurprisingly draws questions following embarrassing missteps.
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Venturing & InvestmentsRevealed: DT’s fibre linkup with ex-Deutsche Glasfaser bosses
Group investment arm DTCP takes large minority stake in startup Fiber Experts Deutschland. Venture sees DT link up with former Deutsche Glasfaser execs Uwe Nickl and Dr. Stephan Zimmermann. Ex-DT executive Wolfgang Kniese involved in venture’s management.
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Financial & PerformanceDT’s FY21 report: events intervene but an empowered Höttges talks tough on towers
Another strong year of growth for Group, led by USA. Unfortunate clash with Ukraine invasion dulls shareholder reaction. Executives stress openness and flexibility when it comes to a big TowerCo deal, but want full recognition of DT assets’ worth. Muddiness on future of BT holding. Inflationary pressures said to ...
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M&AINWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica’s FY21 comms decrypted: anticipating a new, asset-light dawn
Solid organic performance fuels management confidence in Telefónica’s ability to maintain growth and regain traditional swagger. New Spain and UK FibreCos to round off Group infrastructure monetisation programme. Near-term growth may still be dependent on inorganic activity in Brazil and JV success in UK.
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Strategy & ChangeDT prepared to scale back Russian hub amid crisis
DT has thousands of employees in Russia. CEO indicates the Group could shift staff and operations away from St. Petersburg software development function, in response to Ukrainian crisis. Tasks could be shifted to other digital hubs in India or eastern Europe. Crisis brings centre’s expansion plans to an ...
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Enterprise (B2B)T-Mobile expands beyond US, goes transatlantic on IoT
DT and American NatCo pick a safe, greenfield side-line of cross-border IoT as first target for international B2B collaboration plan they flagged in 2021. Move comes with T-Mobile quietly beginning to look beyond USA for opportunities, raising strategic questions for DT and its own international B2B interests.
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Public AffairsTelco inflation playbook: raise prices, cut costs, embrace digitalisation
Tough times ahead for telco customers, employees, and suppliers, as inflation drives price hikes, capex and opex control, and ongoing workforce reductions. Inflation-linked contracts to boost service revenue and outpace rising costs. Digital transformation efforts seen as key to cost savings.
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MarketingBT recalibrates ad strategy with in-house reshuffle
Operator joining up ad capabilities across Consumer, Enterprise, and Global. Establishes new Media Centre of Excellence to share learnings.
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M&ABT Italia offloads SAP services subsidiary
BT Global continues ‘global not national’ streamlining programme with the sale of Italian IT outsourcing outfit ERPTech. €4m+ deal leaves Italia lightweight but focused.
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Venturing & InvestmentsBT opens venturing wallet for on-demand talent pool startup
Startup acceleration ambition kickstarted with minority stake in Distributed. New acquisition to provide BT access to on-demand software engineering teams to support development projects, with connected healthcare solutions first up. BT’s Harmeen Mehta hopes such partnerships will alleviate skills shortage pressures and drive her digitalisation agenda.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVivo gets ball rolling on Ânima learning JV
Brazilian operator’s Board clears path to creation of new company focused on digital courses. Vivo confirms 50:50 split with partner Ânima Educação. Some bureaucratic hurdles still to overcome.
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Suppliers & SCMBT hives off logistics to ‘simplify’ supply chain
Expanded partnership with GXO Logistics sees warehousing and transport requirements handed over, along with 300 BT employees. Procurement chief Cyril Pourrat deems it a milestone in Group simplification programme. Unions typically concerned.
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PremiumBT people moves: BT Federal fills out
Mike Barthlow appointed CEO at BT’s US public sector division, with senior reports changed in parallel. BT’s healthcare focus tightened with a new HealthTech Incubator under Harmeen Mehta’s Digital domain and strategic health programme lead named at Enterprise. Openreach Service Delivery changes as Olly Kunc ships out.
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OperationsNewgate St: BT has left the building
Facilities management partner completes “decommissioning” of the Group’s former HQ, ending long historical association with St. Pauls location.
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Strategy & ChangeDT, Vodafone climate plans get mixed reviews
Industry analysis gives DT and Vodafone good marks for “deep decarbonisation” plans, especially when stacked up against some of the world’s largest companies. Praised for headline pledges and transparent emissions reporting, but require work to improve their chances of reaching those commitments. Renewable energy sourcing and indirect, Scope 3 ...