All TelcoTitans.com articles in Telefónicawatch #191
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Financial & Performance
Fixed-up VM O2 looks to bounce back in 2025
UK operator forecasts a return to growth in the current year after spending much of 2024 strengthening its foundations.
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Financial & Performance
Liberty Global targets $200m+ in savings through AI
The European group has quantified how much it expects to save in operating costs from deploying artificial intelligence across its telecoms assets over the next three years.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica eases load with Helium’s OpenWiFi hotspots
In-depth: Investment’s “open-source” network of decentralised hotspots leveraged for mobile data offload through homegrown management platform. Tie-up initially focused on Mexico, to expand across LatAm markets, extend to other virtual operators, hopes to cut infra costs further…
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M&A
New Telefónica leadership wields hatchet on Hispam
Under new CEO, Group is on accelerating regional retreat, with at least four of Hispam division’s nine markets now in M&A spotlight. Exits being explored in Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina — representing well over half of Hispam revenue base. Peruvian business is placed in insolvency, meanwhile, after sale and infra separation plans stall.
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M&A
Virgin Media O2 said to attract first offers in £1bn NetCo stake sale
Spanish media reports Virgin Media O2 owners Telefónica and Liberty Global have received non-binding offers from investors for a 40% stake in the planned NetCo carve out, with BlackRock and CPP Investments in the mixer.
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People
Telefónica’s network ops boss to lead Vodafone fibre JV
Spanish operators put more pieces in place for 3.6 million premises fibre venture, naming a CEO and unveiling its branding. Regulatory approval and third-party investor outreach also seen as progressing, ahead of mid-2025 target. Read more…
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Weekly Briefings
Telefónicawatch Briefing: Saudis get keys to the boardroom
Another busy and engaging week at Telefónica as new CEO Murtra heads off on a world tour, new stakeholder stc firms up an expanded and now-strategic stake in the operator, and Telefónica Tech builds out its portfolio in cybersecurity and GenAI. Read more…
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Strategy & Change
stc secures stake (and strategic say) at Telefónica
Saudi operator increases its holding in Spanish operator to just below 10%, following government approval for controversial move in November. Share buy to be accompanied by a Board of Directors seat, confirming stc’s position of influence over Telefónica, alongside Spanish government, as Group changes complexion. Read more…
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M&A
Telefónica seeks to win regulatory nod for Colombia exit
Telefónica and Millicom have asked Colombia’s competition authority to review a proposed deal that would seal the Spanish operator’s retreat from the challenging market.
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Suppliers & SCM
Virgin Media O2 puts Hansen on five-year tech revamp mission
Australian software provider Hansen to support UK joint venture on digital transformation and wider business revival plan.
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People
GSMA seeks new Chair to replace former Telefónica CEO
The GSMA begins hunt for new chair after swapping out deposed Telefónica boss José Maria Álvarez-Pallete. Marc Murtra takes a board seat, with Bharti Airtel’s Gopal Vittal stepping to take the chair in the meantime…
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica tops up on 5G spectrum in Venezuela
Telefónica Venezuela and Digitel acquired mid-band spectrum in the country’s 5G auction, but other frequencies on offer were left on the table.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica–Vodafone fibre venture takes shape
Operators reported to have lined up Telefónica’s Spanish network boss to lead set-up of their pending wireline infra joint venture, and to be close to receiving bids from prospective financial partners as they look to firm up the FibreCo’s ownership structure and capital base. Read more…