Jan 29 2013

#TF2013 Conference Live blog starts tomorrow at 9am UK time.

blog_icon

Follow the live coverage of the event by joining our live blog starting at 9am UK time on Wednesday 30 January.

What to expect:

- Coverage of all panels by TelecomFinance’s team of dedicated industry journalists
- Topics include telecoms mergers & acquisitions, regulation, tower deals, the role of fixed line and infrastructure, and much more
- Live reporting from the TelecomFinance awards ceremony on the evening of 30 January
- Find out who are the winning banks of our TelecomFinance Bank of the Year awards
- Find out about the TelecomFinance Deals of the Year, including IPO of the Year

You can join the debate on twitter, using the #TF2013 hashtag.

Jan 27 2013

Mott MacDonald to kick off Day 2 with Breakfast Seminar: ‘Smart Phones and Dumb Pipes’

Consultancy Mott MacDonald is to host the popular TelecomFinance Conference Breakfast Seminar on the morning (8.20-8.50am) of January 31, heading up a thought-provoking session entitled ‘Smart Phones and Dumb Pipes – What does the future look like for European operators?’.

Dave Tanner, Director of Technology & Strategy on Mott MacDonald’s Technology & Communications team, will lead the early morning discussion, welcoming thoughts from the audience on:

  •          Costs are rising but ARPUs are stagnant or declining
  •          Given the growth in demand for mobile data, 4G won’t solve the data demand problem on its own
  •          The focus on cost reduction will have to continue
  •          So where will that leave the network operator in Europe?

Don’t miss this fast-paced debate on how European operators can overcome key challenges in 2013 and beyond. The session starts at 8.20am.

By clairelandoninlondon
0
Jan 25 2013

Data centres and cloud operators to join TelecomFinance

Data centres and cloud operators, a bright spot in the current telecoms landscape, are to feature prominently at the TelecomFinance 2013 Conference, which takes place January 30-31 at the Hilton London Tower Bridge Hotel.

Join us as leading executives reveal how they profit from the exploding demand for data capacity using both infrastructure and service models.

  • Douglas Loewe, Managing Director, Interxion will feature in a one-to-one Q&A on ‘The role of data centres in the digital economy’
  • Viktor Kovacs, Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Neostratus joins the ‘Partnerships as an Alternative to M&A’ Panel
  • Mark De Simone, CEO, Cloud Italia joins the debate on ‘The Infrastructure-less Company
By clairelandoninlondon
0
Jan 24 2013

Simple is smart – a special presentation by Siegel+Gale.

Liana Dinghile, Group Strategy Director EMEA, Siegel+Gale

Most organisations agree that ‘brand’ is one of their most powerful assets. But how it is managed can vary wildly. When managed with the principles of Simplicity it can positively influence and enhance the way any organisation operates, performs, competes and innovates.

Using data from Siegel+Gale’s current Global Brand Simplicity Index, Liana Dinghile, Group Strategy Director EMEA, will illustrate the commercial, operational and experiential value of reducing complexity by deploying the principles of Simplicity.

“We are really excited about global brand agency Siegel+Gale’s participation in the TelecomFinance 2013 Conference, since ‘brand’ has become increasingly central to the financial wellbeing and strategic success of telecom operators worldwide. With the declining focus on network and infrastructure as a differentiator, high quality branding is now a key driver of customer relationships and retention”, said Claire Landon, TelecomFinance Conference Editor

“There is a strong need and demand for simplicity in telecoms. We live in an increasingly complicated world and the brands that help simplify our lives are winning not just consumer affection, but also a greater share of our wallet”, commented Liana Dinghile, Group Strategy Director EMEA, Siegel+Gale

For the full programme details please click here.

Jan 18 2013

Middle East & Africa Deal of the Year award shortlist confirmed.

We are delighted to announce the 4 finalists in the Middle East & Africa Deal of the Year awards 2013.

The shortlisted companies were selected by the global telecommunications title from a range of businesses across the telecoms industry.

“The TelecomFinance editorial team is looking forward to recognising the hard work of the global telecoms industry’s executives and advisers  and celebrate the achievements of 2012″, said Claire Landon, TelecomFinance Conference Editor.

The finalists are:

  • QTel increase of shareholding in Asiacell from 30% to 60% for US$1.47bn. QTel once again consolidatied its ownership of an overseas asset, this time of its highest earning properties (and the first of Iraq’s three telcos to make good on its promise to list a 25% stake on the national exchange).
  • France Telecom increase of its shareholding in Mobinil from 71% to 94% for €1.5bn. The end to a long running shareholder feud, an opportunity for France Telecom to consolidate its stated plans to double revenue in emerging markets, and a significant addition to the warchest of another acquisitive Naguib Sawiris vehicle.
  •  Mobily US$2.7bn Islamic loan. This oversubscribed transaction enabled Etisalat’s Saudi business to refinance three loans on beneficial terms and boost its broadband and data capabilities.
  • IHS US$284m acquisition of MTN’s  Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire towers, financed via a US$202m syndicated credited facility with MLA Ecobank. Thanks to this twin deal with Africa’s leading homegrown telco, IHS came out tops of the continent’s main towercos in 2012.

To book your place at the Awards ceremony taking place on the 30 January at the London Hilton Tower Bridge Hotel , please contact James Smith on + 44 (0) 20 7963 7615 or email conferences@telecomfinance.com