All Strategy & Change articles
-
InterviewEY-Parthenon: in face of disruption, telcos must think differently about differentiation
Analysis: Can telecom operators transcend infrastructure before non-traditional challengers capture the enterprise frontier? Drawing on global C-suite research, this analysis explores why differentiation, agentic architectures and national sovereignty represent the industry’s most viable growth engines, and why defensive cost-cutting will not secure long-term relevance.
-
PeoplewatchVodafone Peoplewatch: strengthening the political and regulatory bench
October 2026 update, including a series of political affairs appointments in Brussels and London, a structural reset for Vodacom’s Foundation initiatives, and new leadership for Vodafone’s commercial eSIM, AI, and digital security propositions.
-
M&AVodacom afforded ‘fast-track’ appeal as courts threaten to unravel Safaricom deal
South African operator secures stay of execution and accelerated appeals process, but the threat remains that Vodacom may be forced to unwind its $2bn move to take majority control of Safaricom…
-
Finance & StrategySatcos and price hikes on customer minds as Ericsson begins new era
New Ericsson CEO Per Narvinger is beginning to put his stamp on the vendor, streamlining management while identifying satellite-terrestrial convergence and AI RAN as growth opportunities. Persistent AI-driven component inflation means customers may also have to swallow higher prices.
-
Network6G: European telco leaders lay down migration markers
In depth: Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone set out their conditions for 6G at Network X, mapping how Europe’s leading operators are converging on a pragmatic vision to protect 5G investments, minimise hardware disruption and making economics drive migration, albeit with differences remaining over spectrum sharing, core architecture, and timing…
-
Partnerships & AlliancesRevolut picks O2 for expansion into German mobile
Fast-expanding fintech brand brings disruptive virtual mobile service to another European market, launching single, app-native data plan over O2 network.
-
NetworkVodafone lights up core for Express Capacity launch
As demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, Vodafone is targeting a spot at the intersection of cloud expansion, digital sovereignty, and international connectivity with a faster, more automated transport service.
-
NetworkVodafone ‘abandons’ open RAN to accelerate UK network upgrade project
One of the industry’s most enthusiastic open RAN advocates has walked away from open RAN in the UK, with Chief Network Officer Andrea Donà arguing that regulatory obligations and technology readiness left the operator little choice.
-
Finance & StrategyTelia trims headcount as Europe leans on efficiency
Telia becomes the latest European telco to announce a round of job cuts, joining a trend of operators reshape workforces, decentralise decision-making, and seek higher returns from maturing fibre and 5G investments.
-
M&AINWIT shareholders look to swoop on slumped Italian towerco — reports
Ardian, Vantage Towers, and other major backers are said to be weighing a take-private deal for INWIT, potentially capitalising on a near-record-low share price amid legal battles with the towerco’s anchor tenants.
-
Finance & StrategyCityFibre looks to future as consumer uptake lags
The UK’s largest fibre altnet has reported another period of strong revenue and EBITDA growth, but questions emerge over whether its momentum can be sustained in a fast-changing UK fibre market — and what would change if a counterfactual CityFibre–Substantial Group combination were to follow.
-
MarketingEtisalat goes back to its roots with major rebrand
Emirati telecoms group switches back to the etisalat brand after four years of e&, as it refocuses on the ‘core’ telecoms business.
-
Analyst BriefingTelefónicawatch: election news jolts play for home advantage
Analyst Briefing: Spanish incumbent seeks to bring together a stronger and leaner domestic base for growth and efficiency across its business, announcing a major reorganisation of Group- and country-level functions. But just as it decides to focus on home delivery, Telefónica’s leadership receives a curveball with news of a snap election in Spain.
-
Special ReportExposing network APIs was the first step — building the business model is harder
Special Report #2/4: telcos still have a lot of work to do to develop API-based offerings that resonate with the requirements of users, observers say.
-
NetworkDT secures NVIDIA deal for Munich AI hub expansion
Telco to ramp up German sovereign AI services play through hardware deal with NVIDIA — although remains watchful on the cost of broader AI infrastructure expansion.
-
PeoplewatchBT Peoplewatch: ExCo shake-up signals strategic shift
October 2026 edition, including a deep strategic rewiring at the highest level, with legal, corporate affairs, and strategy chief changes. Elsewhere, networks R&D handover, network API monetisation, and preparing the ground for the next phase of BT International.
-
M&ADT gains another fibre M&A leg-up with Essen infra buy
Group to take over struggling fibrecos metrofibre and ruhrfibre, marking its second inorganic expansion in Essen over the past year. Move gives DT a fibre footprint boost amidst fierce competition from altnets, and as it waits for 2027 to free up more funding for rollout from AI efficiencies.
-
M&ATalkTalk: BT takes the spoils, private equity takes a bath
In-Depth Analysis: The collapse and swift sale of TalkTalk has thrust BT into an unprecedented role as self-appointed industry saviour, ‘safeguarding’ millions of customers while attracting scrutiny from regulators, rivals, and policymakers — and highlighting the shortcomings of TalkTalk’s brief private equity ownership.
-
M&ACMA flags substantial competition concerns as nexfibre/Netomnia dealt major blow
In-depth: The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority has delivered a significant setback to nexfibre’s proposed acquisition of Netomnia owner Substantial Group, arguing the deal would materially weaken competition in wholesale broadband markets.
-
M&ABT: ‘national champion’ initiates saviour-mode for TalkTalk rescue
‘National champion’ is reportedly preparing to swoop on forlorn TalkTalk as vultures circle overhead, exploring whether its age-old national-interest argument retains traction to mop up millions of stranded subscribers, many already with Openreach, should growing fears materialise that the top-five ISP is running out of financial runway.