Cellnex, the Spanish infrastructure giant, is rumored to be considering a sale of a minority stake in its Nordic operations, specifically Sweden and Denmark. With nearly €1 billion at stake, this move aligns with earlier sentiments expressed by CEO Marco Patuano. Combining this potential sale with recent acquisitions, loan procurements and collaborations, Cellnex aims to streamline its operations, tackle its massive debts and redefine its strategy for the European tower infrastructure market. Let’s delve deeper into the winding paths and potential outcomes at the upcoming Total Telecom Congress.
The enigmatic billionaire Patrick Drahi is reportedly considering a bold move to hit an astounding 29.9% stake in UK’s telecom titan, BT, which naturally raises eyebrows and fuels speculation. Tracing Drahi’s relationship with BT, it started just last year with a humble 12.1% stake acquisition. Despite BT’s cautious response, Altice, Drahi’s representative, remained adamant about any takeover intentions. Today, a quarter of BT already belongs to Drahi, drawing closer government scrutiny under the freshly enacted National Security & Investment Act.
BT collaborates with HPE to adapt to the rise in hybrid work and IoT demands, leveraging HPE’s Aruba Networking for a new managed LAN service. This partnership promises heightened flexibility, security and visibility, overcoming the limitations of conventional in-building networks. Despite this, the market faces potential turbulence, particularly from the clearances of backlogged orders affecting enterprise WLAN revenues. While this partnership signifies progress, the changes may create a challenging landscape for those in the industry.
Ofcom delves into an investigation concerning BT’s recent 999 emergency call service outage. BT’s back-up system reportedly failed in providing efficient location data, intensifying the emergency identification process. This significant service disruption stirred discussions in Parliament, with technology minister Lord Camrose emphasizing the company’s delayed communication to the government about the issue. While BT extended an apology planned a full internal investigation, Ofcom’s survey will spotlight possible breaches of regulatory norms mandating constant network access to emergency organizations. The potential consequences are yet unclear.
BT launches a campaign for their Digital Voice Service, aiming to replace analogue landlines with VoIP technology in a “once-in-a-generation upgrade.” The project targets a simple switch for most customers, with a comprehensive education and reassurance strategy to address concerns.
BT’s Digital Unit achieves a milestone as the first telco to complete the EDM Council cloud assessment, paving the way for efficient data management and strategic cloud implementations while ensuring data protection and control.
Keysight and Nokia Bell Labs collaborate to tackle high-frequency challenges in mobile technology, exploring the potential of D-band and E-band frequencies, dubbed “subterahertz,” for 6G applications such as augmented reality and autonomous transportation.
BT’s Immersive Spaces solution, developed with virtual training specialist Immersive Interactive, uses cutting-edge technology to turn walls and floors into interactive surfaces displaying cloud-stored experiences. Compatible with VR, AR, and XR, the technology holds promise in revolutionizing training and development across various industries.
Altice UK increases its stake in BT to 24.5%, fueling speculation about the company’s intentions. Despite no current plans for acquisition, the move highlights the shifting landscape of the telecommunications industry and the growing trend of insiders acquiring significant stakes in UK telco groups.
BT unveils plans to reduce workforce by 40% and expand FTTP network, aiming for millions more retail fiber customers and significantly increased 5G coverage. Amid mixed financial results, the company’s transformation strategy seeks a leaner structure and a brighter future.