Telefónica Regulatory & Compliance
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Public AffairsPhones 4u: Antitrust “enforcer” CMA to weigh in on UK MNO collusion claims
For the first time ever, the Competition and Markets Authority is to intervene in an antitrust Court of Appeal hearing, homing in on alleged collusion between O2 UK and EE CEOs at 2012’s infamous Landmark Hotel meeting. It does not appear to be dwelling on 4G collusion or poor record-keeping smoking guns. Read more from TelcoTitans’ in-depth ongoing coverage…
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Public AffairsUK telcos under regulatory fire for ‘misleading’ ads
BT, TalkTalk, and Virgin Media O2 asked to remove ads following ASA investigation into claims that they could mislead consumers about mid-contract price hikes.
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Strategy & ChangeBrazil’s Vivo gets Central Bank nod to expand in fintech
Central Bank of Brazil grants licence for operator to expand credit and insurance products and grow its presence in the fintech space.
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Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: Spain puts more rural 5G cash on the table
Telefónica España among operators eligible for extra public funding to expand 5G SA services in rural parts of the country.
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Network & InfrastructurePeru plans to offer ‘free’ 5G spectrum in return for coverage
New government decree outlines measures designed to help Telefónica Peru, Bitel, Claro, and Entel accelerate 5G rollout.
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Financial & PerformanceTelefónica Q2 FY24 In-depth: Focus on profitability as revenue blips in key geographies
Group reports slight revenue and earnings increases, as growth decelerates in Brazil and Germany, while Virgin Media O2 adjusts guidance after reporting decreases in sales and EBITDA. Read more…
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Network & InfrastructureTelefónica, Meta ally to upgrade short-form video delivery
Pair seek to expand trials of 4G and 5G network configurations to optimise video content delivery beyond Spain.
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Products & ServicesBrazilian watchdog puts Vivo’s AI chatbot under the microscope
Brazilian regulator Anatel investigating Vivo’s use of AI in customer service, citing privacy and security concerns.
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M&ASpain continues Telefónica share buy-up, reaching 6%
Further purchase from SEPI widens government’s lead as telco’s largest stakeholder, and marks continuation of wider plan to shore up national influence in the operator and defend strategic assets from foreign investors. Read more…
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Financial & PerformanceSpain continues to build Telefónica buffer, increasing stake to 5%
Government increases shareholding in the operator by 2%, quickly following up acquisition of a 3% stake in March 2024.
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Public AffairsTelefónica Peru hands over €345m to end 20-year tax dispute
Operating business set to pay €345m to national tax agency, bringing an end to long-running case that has served as a source of uncertainty for Group’s strategic direction in a competitive and economically challenging market…
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M&ASpain buys 3% of Telefónica, more share purchases likely
Madrid initiates process of regaining primary shareholder status in Telefónica, as national interests surrounding telco ownership continue to rise back up the agenda in Europe, prompted by phase of operator vulnerability to outside takeovers and broader climate of geopolitical risk.
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Public AffairsTelefónica ‘in talks’ with SEC on ‘historic fine’ over Chinese ties in Venezuela
Final amount of penalty is currently unknown, the report from El Confidencial says. Probe was launched after President Maduro invited Chinese suppliers to help build 4G networks.
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Public AffairsTelefónica’s Rao adds to calls for German auction rethink
O2 Germany’s CTIO helps maintain pressure as BNetzA considers next move on spectrum rights.
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Public AffairsTelefónica bests Millicom in Costa Rica sale lawsuit
Millicom pulled up in New York for arbitrary and opportunistic behaviour; nine-digit compensation mooted; fallout appears localised with newer partnership elsewhere…
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PremiumElsewhere in UK: Ofcom not keen on mid-contract price hikes
Ofcom not keen on mid-contract price hikes.
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Public AffairsTelefónica wants Chile to have a 5G auction rethink
Criticism of Subtel’s terms ramps up, as operator claims that scoring system, prohibition of third-party infra usage, and regulatory obligations grant advantage to 5G entrant Claro. Auction follows several others in Telefónica’s markets over last year, as Group looks to acquire new spectrum while reducing financial exposure in Latin America.
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Weekly BriefingsTelefónicawatch Weekly: Álvarez-Pallete takes the stage as Group nears centenary
The latest around Telefónica and its markets, including CEO Álvarez-Pallete taking to the stage at the World Economic Forum; Vivo shelving network-share deal with Winity; and O2 Germany getting “aggressive” on discounts…
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Public AffairsTelefónica’s Álvarez-Pallete takes soapbox to Davos, repeats call for EU refresh
Telefónica’s CEO says deregulation and investment “agenda” needed to drive innovation and increase EU telcos’ competitiveness. Comments come hot on the heels of similar messaging from other industry execs. Entrance of SEPI and stc as Group shareholders not a distraction from new three-year strategy…
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Strategy & ChangeTelefónica finalises Spain job cuts, wage increases ‘on the way’
Agreement reached with unions on CEV III framework and new incentivised early-retirement scheme, with more than 3,000 redundancies anticipated. Plans to increase wages and reduce working hours also reportedly in the works, and extension to other subsidiaries also a possibility…