The European Commission has launched a thorough investigation into UAE-based telecom company e&’s acquisition of PPF Group’s telecom operations in Eastern Europe. This move excludes PPF Telecom’s Czech business.
Tollring, a leading developer of analytics software, has introduced its Analytics 365 AI-Powered Recording to the Microsoft Azure and AppSource marketplaces. This new feature enhances the Analytics 365 portfolio, providing comprehensive recording capabilities for Microsoft Teams. The AI-driven tool offers transcription, keyword detection, topic analysis, sentiment evaluation, and outcome analysis, allowing organizations to gain in-depth insights into customer interactions and behavior patterns.
Veon, a telecommunications giant, unveiled ambitious growth plans during its Capital Markets Day, sparking optimism among investors. CEO Kaan Terzioglu emphasized the promising landscape of emerging markets where Veon operates, asserting that the company’s digital transformation has positioned it for substantial growth.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is unlikely to demand that dominant cloud service providers Microsoft and AWS break up their businesses or divest assets. However, it is considering several other market interventions to ensure fair competition.
In developed markets, copper telecom networks are rapidly being replaced by more efficient fiber optic cables. Despite this shift, the value of copper is surging in other sectors, particularly in electric vehicles and renewable energy. The metal’s worth has soared over 50% from pre-pandemic levels due to high demand and lower mining outputs, with forecasts suggesting a further 50% increase in demand by 2040.
Swisscom has revealed that its Italian subsidiary, FastWeb, has sold its 4.5% stake in FiberCop to Optics BidCo, a subsidiary of KKR, for €439 million. FiberCop, formed in 2021 by Telecom Italia (TIM), KKR, and FastWeb, manages the ‘last mile’ fibre network, connecting homes to street cabinets.
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.
A bidding war erupted over the fire sale of Casa Systems’ cable business, with CommScope emerging as the surprise victor. The final price tag of $45.1 million far outstripped initial expectations, highlighting the strategic value of Casa’s assets.
A consortium comprising two Japanese banks, mobile operator NTT DOCOMO, and Space Compass Corporation has committed $100 million to HAPS developer AALTO. This substantial investment aims to support AALTO’s industrial and commercial roadmap, targeting a commercial launch of its services by 2026.
Last month, AST SpaceMobile secured a partnership with Verizon to leverage its upcoming satellite network for comprehensive connectivity across the U.S. Since then, the company’s value has surged, with its share price climbing 70%, marking its highest level since November 2022.
