All Strategy & Change articles – Page 91
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Strategy & Change
Openreach cites No 10 lack of clarity as key early COVID test
Initial uncertain status of Openreach workforce deemed biggest challenge when ensuring UK connectivity and worker safety through lockdown. Strong chains of command, coupled with responsiveness to staff concerns, said to frame management response. Fears on return to offices and on-premises work may prove the biggest challenge.
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PeopleT-Mobile CIO Cody Sanford exits amid IT–digital reshuffle
Cody Sanford, Chief Information Officer and Chief Product Officer at T-Mobile US, is set to leave to pursue “external opportunities”. Chief Operating Officer Brian King steps into CIO vacancy. Wider reshuffle flagged to support new digital strategy.
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Network & InfrastructureBT explores optical options after Moore, Shannon
Lord keen to leverage lower-cost data centre technologies for network deployment. Floats idea of ripping out ROADMs in core network and replacing them with routers and ZR optics pluggables. Lower prices through photonic integration seen as key. Promising trials with hollow-core and multi-core fibre.
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Public AffairsThreat of BT national strike intensifies
CWU calls on BT member base to back strike action, with further details on proposed ballot in “coming weeks”. Group transformation continues to exacerbate already disaffected BT-union relations. Mass walkouts from ‘late-spring’ a possibility. Union and BT share very different relationship perspectives.
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PeopleTransformation guru Baumann joins Vodafone Germany
Former Microsoft transformation lead Heide Baumann named Director, Commercial Operations at German operator. Brings experience from BT, Liberty, and Three to Vodafone.
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PeopleHöttges achieves longest CEO reign at DT
After seven years (and a few days), Tim Höttges outlasts predecessors. He is also the highest paid telco CEO in Europe. Sprint merger bonus puts his FY20 takings close to €7m.
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M&AMiNODES brought in house as Telefónica NEXT shuts up shop
Data analytics acquisition MiNODES brought closer to O2’s core business. Telefónica NEXT now fully disbanded, with Germany Business Sales in its place.
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Network & InfrastructureLiberty: VodafoneZiggo tower sale is ‘work-in-progress’
CEO Mike Fries sees Dutch joint venture’s assets as undervalued. Partner appears aligned with Vodafone’s eagerness to extract cash from site networks across Europe. Broader discussions over VodafoneZiggo collaboration may be tied in with tower question.
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PeopleBT denies right royal dust-up at the top
Group moved to issue a denial of Jansen ultimatum as speculation swirls on du Plessis’ surprise departure decision. Two camps emerging, with some discontent at Jansen power moves, but CEO’s position appears safe for now. Beyond rumours and gossip, BT board looks starved of experience needed for Group transformation ...
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Strategy & ChangeDeutsche Telekom blockchain spinout beamed back to mothership
trust2core’s work on enterprise blockchain application development to continue from within T-Labs. Group said to be expanding focus on blockchain services.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs
Teoh junior faces TPG ire after assault conviction; INWIT’s Ferigo bemoans 5G rollout barriers.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa
Vodafone launches Africa.Connected campaign to bridge the digital divide, while Joosub clears things up regarding Ghana in Q3 results.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Italian 3G sunset
End of road for Italian 3G network; 5G used to combat COVID-19 in Spain; Turkey enterprise unit digitises cement mix.
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Financial & PerformanceBudget 2021: BT benefits but won’t move investment dial
Chancellor Sunak eyes investment-backed build-back. Short term tax break to bolster BT infrastructure expansion. However, gains will be “offset in later years”, and no movement on BT’s number one priority — business rates relief.
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PeopleBT’s HR chief admits bumps in Better Workplace plan
Pandemic holds up plan to concertina down to 30 regional hubs, although some movement is expected in 2021. HR Director recognises the need to maintain hybrid working practices even after the pandemic has subsided.
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Network & InfrastructureVivo taps CDPQ for fibre spin out, as KKR invests in Chile
Telefónica|Vivo signs a 50:50 deal with Quebec-based investor to launch FiBrasil. Wholesale fibre provider will expand Vivo’s geographic reach, while the OB focuses on upgrading its existing fixed-network footprint. Long-heralded $1bn Chilean InfraCo plans culminate with KKR taking 60% stake.
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Network & InfrastructureMagyar Telekom CEO rules out tower tie-ups
Tibor Rékasi anticipates no strategic activity in the “near future”. 5G coverage target met in Budapest.
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OperationsOTE hails completion of organisational revamp
Extraction of field and customer ops wrapped up as OTE seeks to bolster efficiency following challenging FY20. Early retirement programme continues to deliver savings.
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PremiumElsewhere in BT Group: BT Sourced gets hiring
New procurement team hiring; revamp of Plymouth office by 2022; BT hoping to go greener through PPAs.
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Network & InfrastructureDT moves goalposts on German infrastructure mega-projects
Headline FTTH and cell site expansion roadmaps reworked. COVID-19 disruption, regulatory barriers, and bad weather cited as contributors. First signs emerge of the Group’s new, pandemic-influenced medium-term planning, due to be laid out later in 2021.