Yo Telecom’s Post

If you're a #localauthority attending Connected Britain next week, let's grab a coffee at stand 202a and discuss how our Digital Twins can support your #digitalstrategy! ☕

Who Are the True Pirates of the Caribbean? 🤔 Last week, while on a business call from my hotel in St. Lucia, my colleagues expressed frustration over the delay between my responses and their ability to hear me. They suggested I turn off my camera to alleviate the lag. 🤦♀️ This week, I find myself working in Trinidad, where I'm facing outages during Teams calls. Through my market research, I have uncovered several insights regarding the real consumer telecommunications experience in the Caribbean: (1) Customers often feel they are not receiving good value from their telecom providers due to frequent outages and relatively high prices. (2) Mobile network operators face immense pressure to invest in new technologies such as 4G and 5G networks while also maintaining existing infrastructure, all while revenues are declining as users rely less on voice calls and mobile data. (3) Additionally, major streaming platforms consume significant amounts of network capacity in the Caribbean, yet they do not contribute to local economies through taxes or sharing revenues with mobile network operators. These challenges represent the “REAL pirates” that are undermining telecom businesses in the Caribbean. These trends indicate that change is necessary.  Mobile network operators must explore new business models that are less capital-intensive and yield better commercial returns. The sought-after ‘Black Pearl’ will likely emerge from the adoption of these innovative, less capex-heavy business strategies that benefit both mobile network operators and the public by improving connectivity and affordability. #management #innovation #technology #telecoms #cfo #ceo #future #investment

Two African telco CEOs join GSMA board Two prominent African telecom CEOs, ethio telecom’s #Frehiwot Tamru and MTN Group’s Ralph Mupita, have been appointed to the GSMA board for 2025-2026. Frehiwot, serving a second term, and Mupita will join the 26-member board that governs the global telecom industry association. The GSMA, which announced the full board this week, also re-elected Telefonica CEO José María Álvarez-Pallete as chairperson, with Bharti Airtel’s CEO, Gopal Vittal, continuing as deputy chair. MTN, with 288 million subscribers across 18 African and Middle Eastern markets, aims to use Mupita’s role to prioritize the African agenda, focusing on closing mobile coverage gaps, boosting investments, and supporting climate-smart solutions. "Mobile technology will play a critical role to address the pressing challenges facing our communities and unlock the full potential of Africa," Mupita stated, emphasizing the need for inclusive digital connectivity. #Frehiwot, head of Ethiopia’s state-owned ethio telecom with 78.3 million subscribers, looks forward to collaborating on industry innovation and positive transformation. Both CEOs’ appointments spotlight Africa’s growing influence in the global telecom landscape. GSMA Director General Mats Granryd expressed optimism for the future, noting that “with the leadership of the Chair and our Board, the GSMA is well-positioned to advocate for our members and achieve our goals,” amid industry advances in digital transformation and AI. Other board members include executives from global telecom giants like Orange, Vodafone, Etisalat, and Airtel, all of which have operations in Africa.

UAE-based telecommunications group e& has finalized its acquisition of a controlling stake in PPF Group across Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. The €2.15 billion transaction gives e& a 50% plus one economic share in PPF Telecom's service and infrastructure operations.The partnership expands e&'s presence to 38 countries and will serve over 10 million customers across the four markets. The deal combines e&'s global scale and digital capabilities with PPF Telecom's regional expertise to enhance service offerings and operational efficiency. Under the agreement, PPF Telecom's current management team, led by CEO Balesh Sharma, will remain in place to ensure operational continuity. The newly formed entity, 𝚎& 𝙿𝙿𝙵 𝚃𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖, will operate as a standalone business while leveraging synergies in network operations, procurement, and customer service. The European Commission approved the acquisition after e& committed to specific measures, including modifying its articles of association and restricting financing from UAE government entities. PPF's Czech Republic assets, including O2 Czech Republic and CETIN, will remain under PPF's full ownership. #Telecommunications #MergersAndAcquisitions #DigitalTransformation #TelecomIndustry #GlobalExpansion

What's happening in the telecom world? In Spain, Vodafone is undergoing significant changes under its new owner, Zegona Communications. Following the completion of a €5bn deal in May, Zegona has negotiated a workforce reduction agreement with Spanish unions, including the UGT. Initially, 1,198 jobs were on the line, but the agreement saves 300 roles, leaving 898 staff set to be made redundant 🚀. This move also includes improved redundancy payments, showcasing a balanced approach towards necessary restructuring and employee well-being. Over in Thailand, AIS (Advanced Info Service) is set for a considerable shift. Its parent company, Intouch Holdings, will merge with its largest shareholder, Gulf Energy Development. The merger, valued at over $20bn, aims to simplify shareholding structures and leverage combined expertise to strengthen their positions in digital services and renewable energy 🚀. Notably, Singtel, a significant shareholder in Intouch, stands to benefit from a streamlined holding pattern and will hold a 9% stake in the new entity. Meanwhile, Kyivstar in Ukraine is investing heavily to maintain network stability amidst ongoing energy challenges due to Russian attacks. With a substantial focus on energy resilience, the operator plans to deploy 848 new generators and nearly 62,000 batteries to support critical connectivity 🚀. Kyivstar has already invested over $24m in the past two years and continues to ramp up efforts, with Veon committing to significantly increased investments in Ukraine's digital infrastructure recovery. #Vodafone #Telecoms #AIS #Kyivstar

#FairShare | C&W Communications has a long and proud history of providing reliable connections for the people of the #Caribbean, and as we’ve demonstrated over the years with continuous investments in deploying new technologies and solutions, we fully appreciate and understand the importance of a truly connected society with cost-effective, reliable connections at its heart.   But while our state-of-the-art network passes millions of Caribbean homes, broadband penetration across the region remains below 65%, and this leads to digital exclusion and limited opportunities for many. The resulting impact is a widening gap between those who have access to life-changing opportunities…and those who don’t.   We support the call for #BigTech, the largest traffic generators in the digital ecosystem with highly profitable business models, to partner with the telecom industry and regulators to help bridge the digital divide. https://lnkd.in/eBTeZ7Gf

Big Move in Telecoms Sector! 📡 Exciting news in the world of telecommunications as LH Telecoms Limited, a UK-based firm, has acquired a majority stake in 9Mobile, a notable Nigerian telco. This acquisition, which garnered approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), marks a significant shift for the struggling company. With this new investment comes a change in leadership; Obafemi Banigbe has been appointed as the new CEO, and Thomas Etuh, founder of the Tak Group of Companies, will serve as the Chairman of the Board. This transition couldn't come at a more crucial time, as 9Mobile has been facing substantial challenges, losing over 6,443 subscribers in the first quarter of 2024 alone. However, with the capital injection from LH Telecoms and a newly robust board consisting of seasoned professionals from various sectors, I'm optimistic they will steer the company towards a promising recovery. As someone who has been in the recruitment industry for 15 years, I can appreciate the importance of strategic leadership during a turnaround. #Telecoms #IndustryNews #LeadershipTransition

✔Sky Group and British Telecom - Uncovering the Telecom Rivalry If we talk about the telecom industry then Sky Group and British Telecom are dominating leaders in this sector with remarkable backgrounds. Despite being rival companies both the brands have many similarities. 📕Read More 0n - https://lnkd.in/gdPTr2Xm #SkyGroup #BritishTelecom #TelecomRivalry #Competition #IndustryAnalysis #MarketInsights #Telecommunications #BusinessStrategy

What an exciting time to be part of the e& #Oneteam ! This is the largest investment that we have made in the last decade which effectively expands our footprint into Eastern Europe. See more below 👇 #eAnd #PPFTelecom #Acquisition #Growth #transformation

A New Era of Connectivity and Growth A big congratulations to e& on the successful acquisition of a majority stake in PPF Telecom Group! This is an incredible milestone that not only expands e&'s global footprint but also introduces the brand's innovative capabilities to Central and Eastern Europe. This strategic partnership, now spanning 38 countries—including 20 telecom markets—touches the lives of over 1 billion people across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. It's inspiring to see such an ambitious vision materialize. With this acquisition, e& is set to deliver cutting-edge technologies, enhanced network infrastructure, and advanced digital services to over 10 million customers in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. This collaboration is truly a testament to the power of innovation and shared expertise. #Congratulations #eAnd #PPFTelecom #Expansion #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #GlobalGrowth