Allegations were made last week against Vivacom, a Bulgarian telecommunications company owned by United Group, by A1 Group and PPF Group. The Bulgarian Commission on Protection of Competition (CPC) had granted Vivacom permission to acquire Networks-Bulgaria and several other smaller Bulgarian telecoms, sparking concerns within the industry.
Italy’s telecommunications tycoon, Retelit, ushers in a new era of growth under the leadership of newcomer CEO, Jorge Álvarez. With the recent Retelit-Irideos merger, Álvarez is set to navigate the future of this B2B market leader, backed by a solid 20-year career in the global telecom industry.
Ericsson plans a €155 million investment for a smart manufacturing hub in Tallinn, Estonia. BT will reduce its workforce by 1,100 at Adastral Park while investing in modernization. Cellnex acquires full control of OnTower Poland, expanding its tower portfolio. Unicon launches an enhanced partner program for resellers in end-user computing. NEC introduces a generative AI service to drive business transformation.
Four prominent Swedish companies are under the scanner for illicit data transfer to the U.S., marking a stark violation of EU’s GDPR rulings. The heart of this issue lies in their use of Google Analytics, leading to these privacy breaches. Interestingly, not all implicated parties bore the same guilt, showing varying levels of data safety vigilance. More caution and respect for GPDR’s regulations is thus urged from all companies dealing with data transfers. Undeniably, an increasing global scrutiny on data protection laws, demands such vigilance.
Top tech giants, including Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, have recently been identified by the European Commission under the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) as potential digital ‘gatekeepers’. These firms, commanding vast economic and influential prowess, now sit waiting during a 45 day review period that could officially brand them as such. Following the conclusion of the evaluation process, each company will need to navigate a six-month transition to achieve full compliance with the DMA directives. These guidelines are aimed at fostering competition and safeguarding both end-user rights and the interests of small scale businesses.
stra, the Australian telecommunications company, has announced a new partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The collaboration aims to provide home phone and broadband services to customers in remote areas. Telstra’s satellite connectivity services will offer expanded options for businesses and consumers who previously had limited access to broadband, potentially bringing them online for the first time.
United Group’s series of acquisitions in Bulgarian telecommunications raises intrigue, drawing attention especially from vigilant industry veterans like A1 Group and PPF Group. The tacit consent of the Bulgarian Commission on Protection of Competition allowing Vivacom to absorb Networks-Bulgaria and six other telecom firms, potentially empowers Vivacom with unprecedented control over TV distribution and the ISP market.
The dialogue strengthens between E& and PPF Group, sparking talks of a strategic alliance. With E&’s evident ambition to penetrate the European markets, the narrative gets captivating. Though discussions are in infancy, market enthusiasts eagerly await major developments. Meanwhile, PPF Group, post-acquiring Telenor’s assets, strengthens its presence in Europe.
Delving into the realm of advanced AI, SK Telecom elevates its AI service ‘A.’, boasting features crafted around user preferences. The upgraded version introduces AI agents with unique personalities, promising each user a personalized experience. Working hand in hand with Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI, SKT’s AI capabilities now consist of a Large Language Model, designed to comprehend intricate conversation details for insightful dialogues.
European Commission’s concerns over the Orange-MasMovil merger in Spain may hinder the deal, potentially affecting competition within the country’s telecommunications market. Remedies, such as wholesale access to virtual players, could be proposed to address objections and prevent price increases for consumers.
