Saudi Telecom Company (STC) is reportedly eyeing Vodafone Portugal after previous negotiations with Altice Portugal fell through. This strategic shift could enhance STC’s European presence, especially after acquiring a stake in Telefonica. STC and Vodafone Portugal share aligned goals, potentially reshaping Portugal’s telecom landscape significantly. Stay tuned for more updates.
STC Group recently deployed Nokia’s AI-powered self-organizing network (SON) during the Hajj season, enhancing VoIP performance amidst a 40% traffic surge. Utilizing MantaRay SON, the collaboration optimized network settings every 15 minutes, resulting in a 30% improvement in loaded cell utilization and a 10% increase in user throughput, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in VoIP optimization.
Reports from Reuters suggest that Saudi Arabia’s STC group is contemplating a significant move in the European telecom market by considering the acquisition of United Group, a prominent player in both telecommunications and pay-TV sectors. Citing three anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, the potential takeover could mark a substantial shift in the industry landscape.
Vodafone Group, a British multinational telecommunications company, and the Saudi Arabia-based telecommunications provider Saudi Telecom Company (STC) are continuing discussion over a 55% stake sale of Vodafone shares in its Egyptian business, despite the expiry of the initial offer deadline last week. The two parties agreed in separate statements on a “misalignment” on Vodafone’s side in preparation for a $2.4 billion transaction of its Egyptian stake. STC said that the non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to acquire the stake had ended without an agreement, but negotiations with Vodafone would continue. Furthermore, the British telecom company commented: “Vodafone now looks to STC and Telecom Egypt to find a suitable agreement to enable the transaction to close.” The MoU was announced in January of this year when STC offered $2.4 billion for the major part of a stake in Vodafone Egypt, which was expected to close at the end of…
Deutsche Telekom is enhancing its global IoT presence through a new agreement with the Bridge Alliance. As the first European telecom giant in this consortium, Deutsche Telekom aims to streamline IoT solutions for both Asian and European markets. Their combined expertise promises superior connectivity and simplified procurement processes.
Cellnex is nearing the sale of its Austrian operations, with multiple offers on the table and advanced negotiations underway. This news, alongside strong first-half financial results, boosted investor confidence despite a net loss of €418 million. The sale is part of Cellnex’s strategy to divest non-core assets and focus on debt reduction and organic growth, resulting in improved revenues and reduced net debt.
Ericsson and King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have extended their research partnership for two more years, focusing on cutting-edge telecommunications technologies like 5G, 6G, and on-chip reflective intelligent surfaces. This collaboration promises to drive innovations and enhance the future of global connectivity, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
A monumental step for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 appears on the horizon as the Public Investment Fund and stc group plan to merge TAWAL and Golden Lattice Investment Company (GLIC). This partnership, expected to have a value of $5.85 billion and annual revenues near $1.3 billion, could be a game-changer in the telecommunications infrastructure domain.
SmartCIC, a global managed service provider has appointed Johnatan Santana as its Head of Carrier Wholesale and Reina Borjas as Senior Sales Manager. SmartCIC is making strategic investments in talent by building out its international wholesale connectivity team to support growing demand for end-to-end ‘through the line’ solutions and its approach to connectivity.
In a significant move aimed at reducing its hefty debt, Altice has decided to offload its French media operations to the maritime giant CMA CGM for €1.55 billion. The deal, structured as a cash transaction, sees CMA CGM acquiring an 80% share, while the remaining 20% goes to Merit France, a holding company related to the shipping group. This strategic sale encompasses Altice Media, the parent company of the well-regarded news channel BFM and RMC, a radio broadcaster.
