Telecoms
All my pieces on the telecoms industry – mobile, fibre, network rollout, satellite internet. Most originals are in German.
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Elon Musk, Starlink, and the Assault on Mobile Networks
SpaceX is preparing for what could be the most ambitious IPO in history. Yet behind the rocket company lies far more than space exploration. With Starlink, Elon Musk is constructing a mobile infrastructure model that could fundamentally disrupt Telekom, Verizon, Vodafone, and every other global carrier.
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Nokia CEO Justin Hotard: 'Communication networks are critical infrastructure'
The Nokia CEO wants to reposition the Finnish company for the AI era. In the interview he explains why Europe can no longer afford to delay on critical network infrastructure.
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Germany's forced fibre switch is the wrong move
The EU Commission and Germany's regulator want to switch off DSL for millions of households to force a fibre migration. I think that is the wrong approach.
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Germany's fibre rollout has hit a tipping point
Deutsche Glasfaser, the most important challenger to Deutsche Telekom, has nearly halved its fibre rollout targets – and may stop building entirely within two years. The country is facing a deep industry crisis.
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The cables of power: Europe's digital future is being decided on the seabed
Around 90 percent of Europe's transatlantic data traffic runs over cables financed, built or controlled by Amazon, Google and Meta. Germany's Monopolies Commission is warning of a structural dependency.
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Höttges' biggest bet: Deutsche Telekom moves into the AI data-centre business
A joint project with Nvidia is meant to be just the beginning. Deutsche Telekom CEO Timotheus Höttges breaks with the "stick to your knitting" line and bets on AI data centres as Europe's next big telco growth opportunity.
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Starlink's potential in Germany – bigger than expected
A new study from TH Mittelhessen shows Elon Musk's satellite service could shake up Germany's broadband market more than expected. 13 million households could be served – at prices that undercut DSL.
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T-Mobile US: Sievert eyes the exit – who runs the world's most valuable mobile carrier next?
A leadership change is taking shape at the world's most valuable mobile company. Insiders say Mike Sievert could leave the board this year or next.
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Why data protection is Europe's competitive edge
After years in Silicon Valley I know: data protection is not a bureaucratic monster but a core value. The €45 million fine against Vodafone in Germany is a strong signal – and a feature for Europe's tech sector, not a bug.
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New Telefónica CEO Marc Murtra: lean the company, invest in Europe, accelerate in Germany
A few months into the job, Marc Murtra speaks about the strategy shift at Telefónica – and floats a radical idea: Europe should consolidate down to just three big telcos, like the US.
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Deutsche Telekom's record results have two weak spots
The DAX-listed company is shining with strong revenues and a record dividend. But two factors in the balance sheet cast shadows. Seven charts explain.
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Vodafone Germany: from challenger to turnaround case
When I moved to San Francisco, Vodafone was a serious challenge to Deutsche Telekom. Coming back, I find a company in deep trouble – and a fibre joint venture that may lose its biggest backer.
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How Srini Gopalan became Deutsche Telekom's top earner – by moving to T-Mobile US
The outgoing head of Deutsche Telekom Germany moves to T-Mobile US – and earns more there than his own group CEO Tim Höttges. SEC filings show how the package adds up.
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No cell reception: Why do we often have such a poor network in Germany?
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How Starlink is revolutionizing mobile communications worldwide
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How Starlink is reshaping mobile communications
SpaceX's Starlink could eliminate dead zones worldwide. Impressions from a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral – and what it means for mobile communications.
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Watching a Falcon 9 launch at Cape Canaveral
SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 for the eighth time. For a European provider on board it's a premiere – and a signal of how powerful reusable rockets have become.
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Two satellites take on Starlink: how SES is challenging Musk's space network
At Cape Canaveral, Europe's answer to Elon Musk's Starlink lifts off – with a completely different architecture.
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25 years of the Telekom IPO: why the T-share could rise now
Twenty-five years ago Deutsche Telekom made its stock market debut. A rapid rise followed, then a deep fall. How do analysts assess the share today?
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Huawei Mate 40 Pro review: 1,200 euros for the smartphone without apps
Huawei's new flagship has a lot to offer – but no Play Store. Can technical performance compensate for the missing apps?
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Deutsche Telekom's costly bet on the future
Last year the Bonn DAX company set records. But alongside revenues and profits, Telekom's debts and risks are growing.
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One year after the billion-euro 5G auction: where Germany stands
Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica and 1&1 Drillisch paid 6.5 billion euros for their 5G frequencies. One year on, the rollout race has begun.
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Germany's 5G push from Vodafone and Telekom meets political resistance
The telecoms providers want to accelerate their 5G build-out – using Huawei technology. Foreign Minister Maas and Norbert Röttgen are sounding the alarm.
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Huawei Chairman Eric Xu: "We can produce without US components"
At IFA in Berlin I meet Huawei Chairman Eric Xu. He expects a long conflict with the US – and wants to persuade Europe to build its own smartphone ecosystem.
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Germany's 5G spectrum auction begins in Mainz
Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica and 1&1 Drillisch begin bidding for 5G frequencies in a sealed-off, heavily guarded building in Mainz.
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How dangerous is Huawei?
Huawei stands for the future. But how close is its connection to the Communist Party? How safe is the data?
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MWC Barcelona 2019 – notes from the mobile industry's biggest fair
Five video dispatches from MWC 2019: 5G is everywhere on the show floor, but the killer application and business model are still missing.
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The network revolution – how the new 5G mobile standard will change daily life
5G enables revolutionary business models. Can Germany use the new mobile standard to close its digital gap?
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Gigantic network – Beijing's driverless metro lines as an export hit
While Germany's first driverless metro lines are rolling, China is already working on global market dominance – with the New Silk Road as the export route.