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Telecommunication Sector

Vocus Group

Vocus Group – Operating a 30,000 km Fibre-Optic Network Specifically For Government And Business.

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Vocus Group is a top provider of specialised network and fibre solutions. The company was formerly known as Vocus Communications. Vocus Group owns and operates a 30,000 km fibre-optic network that is maintained and designed specifically for government and business. The company provides straightforward and reasonably priced broadband and internet services through their well-known retail brands.

About The Company

Vocus Group was established in 2008 as a wholesale, commercial, government, and customer telecommunications service provider. The company is the second-largest provider of inter-capital fibre network in Australia. It directly offers various network services like Internet, IP WAN, dark fibre, telephony, unified communications, and cloud solutions to small, large, and corporate firms. The company also supplies its services wholesale. In addition to having an onshore networking operations centre staffed by the engineers who created the network, Vocus Group owns and runs 18 data centres in Australia and New Zealand.

Vocus Group
Image Source: campaignbrief.com

History Of The Company

Entrepreneur James Spenceley established Vocus in March 2008. In 2015, Vocus Group bought Perth-based Amcom. Vocus declared profits of AU$62.25M before its merger with M2 Group on February 22, 2016, for a combined value of AU$3.75 billion. With 471,000 subscribers, this merging made Vocus Group Australia’s fourth-largest telecoms company. To improve board independence, M2 Group’s founding MD and CEO Vaughan Bowen resigned from his position as non-executive chairman of the Vocus Board in March 2018. Robert Mansfield AO, a former Telstra chairman and the first CEO of Optus, was appointed to take his place. From 28 May 2018 until Kevin Russell was appointed CEO, Michael Simmons served as Interim CEO. In October 2016, the company paid $861 million to purchase Nextgen Networks. This gives Vocus access to the infrastructure and backhaul of the National Broadband Network in Northern Australia, which serves offshore gas projects. In 2021, a consortium of MIRA and Aware Super acquired Vocus.

Vocus Group’s Acquisitions

Vocus has acquired several businesses to diversify its products and service portfolio. Vocus paid $11.7 million to ASG Group in 2014 for its data centre. For $11.7 million, it also purchased the Bentley data centre from IT service company ASG in 2014. The same year, it bought New Zealand-based FX Networks, a provider of fiber services to many of the country’s largest businesses, including numerous government organizations, telecom carriers, ISPs, and companies. [25] For $23.5 million, it purchased Enterprise Data Corporation, which included two data centres in Sydney and Melbourne. Vocus increased its stake in Western Australia in 2015 by buying a 10% interest in Telecom NZ’s SEA-ME-WE 3 Cable.

CEO – Kevin Steven

Kevin Steven Russel serves as the CEO, Executive Director, and Group Managing Director of Vocus Group. He has international expertise and has worked in the telecoms sector for more than 20 years in Australia, the UK, the United States, and Israel. He has proven through time that he has the leadership skills necessary to drive change and enhance corporate performance. He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland and possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Computer Science from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

Founder – James Spenceley

James Spenceley founded Vocus Communications, which is now known as Vocus Group. After increasing its yearly sales to $67 million in 2013, Spenceley ranked 81st on the BRW’s Young Rich list. After Vocus merged with Perth-based Amcom, he became one of the youngest Aussies in history to lead a business valued at over $1 billion. In addition to being inducted into the Telecommunications Industry Hall of Fame in 2018, he has twice been recognized for his entrepreneurial accomplishments by taking home the Ernst and Young Australian Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

swisscom

Swisscom, One of the most efficient Telecommunications providers in Switzerland.

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Swisscom is Switzerland’s leading provider of communication, information technology, and entertainment. Swisscom employs over 19,000 people and is one of Switzerland’s most innovative and sustainable companies. Operating the simplest mobile network and largest fiber-optic network in Switzerland, Swisscom offers maximum bandwidths nationwide. The Company network is fast, sustainable, secure, and prepared for anything.

The Backstory of Swisscom

At the beginning of 1852, Switzerland started the first telecommunications service between St. Gallen and Zurich. Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in 1876 gave the field new impetus. In 1917, Zurich-Gottingen started the operation of the first half-automatic telephone switchboard. By 1959, Switzerland’s telephone system became the world’s first completely automated network, there were 1 million subscribers. In 1962, Telstar was launched in space, the first telecommunications satellite. The first exchange to allow direct international dialing was unveiled at the Expo 1964 in Lausanne.

Swisscom
Image Source: web24.news

In 1974, in the canton of Wallis, the Earth satellite station of Leuk was operational. In 1975, PTT-Betreibe (Postal and Telecommunications Services of Switzerland) decided to introduce a mobile telephone network for vehicles (NATEL). The first NATO A network, followed by NATEL B in 1983 and NATEL C in 1987, was established three years later. Between Berne and Neuchâtel the first fiber optic cable was placed in 1985. The first Swiss digital telecommunications network Telecom PTT was introduced in 1988.

In 1992, under the name NATEL D, the mobile phone network was digitized. In 1996, the internet portal “Blue Windows” of Telecom PTT became the market leader soon. Telecom PTT was converted to Swisscom on 1 October 1997. Swisscom Ltd was bought on the stock exchange on 5 October 1998. Swisscom became a part of the television industry in 2007 and led the digital television market with 791,000 subscribers by the end of 2012. In 2009, the fiber-optic network expansion in Switzerland was pushed forward by Swisscom.

Products And Services:

For Residential Customers:-

Surf with Internet Security more safely. The company’s security and anti-viruses protect your devices against viruses, hackers, and spyware. Since 2002 Swisscom has offered free internet access to all Swiss schools. It is in the interests of more than 6000 schools. In Swiss education systems, they are much more concerned with sustainable and efficient ICT.

For Businesses:-

Double Robotics is a modern telepresence system, and an entirely different step towards interactions with staff, customers and business partners. For companies with multiple locations and/or operating internationally, Double Robotics is ideal. Double robotics is also suited for companies offering flexible working models to their employees. It allows you to move around the room in freedom, unlike classic video conferencing in which you can only see a screen. The totally mobile Double allows physical presence from around the world in the workplace.

Digital signing is legally and securely possible with electronic signatures. It is therefore a core digitization element and enables any type of contract to be concluded. No printing, no letter sending, no scanning – with an electronic signature everything is completely digital. Client Hardware Service provides you with access to advanced, efficient devices, ideal for flexibility and environmental impact reduction.

Conextrade helps you throughout the entire digital process chain whether with e-procurement or e-invoicing. Swisscom managed services link companies and suppliers with all the current technologies and support the entire procurement-to-paid and order-to-cash process from e-invoicing. CuraMED is the web-based information system for the next-generation medical practice for electronic documentation and process optimization. Configured to the highest security standards, this software-as-a-service solution features an extensive and modern medical information system that is suited to your individual needs.

Urs Schaeppi, The Genius behind Swisscom

Since 2013, Urs Schaeppi has served as Head of Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd and Chief Executive Officer of Swisscom. He graduated from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich with a degree in engineering and the University of St. Gallen with a degree in business administration. His professional career began in R&D at Iveco, followed by marketing at Ascom. In addition, he was promoted to Operations Manager at Papierfabrik Biberist.

In 1998, he joined the Mobile division as Head of Commercial Business after the formation of Swisscom. He was appointed CEO of Swisscom Solutions in 2006 and soon after became Head of the Enterprise Customers division. He sits on the boards of several economic and educational organizations.

NTT Corporation

NTT Corporation, One of the Largest Global Telecommunication Carriers.

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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation offers telephone, telegraph, leased circuits, data communication, terminal equipment sales, and other telecommunications facilities. Within Japan, the company offers both local and long-distance telecommunications services.

NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) is one of the world’s largest telecommunications carriers, with nearly 310,000 people worldwide. It is selected by up to 88 percent of the top 100 firms in the Fortune Global Business Ranking “Fortune 500,” an annual business journal published in the United States. The corporation was formed in accordance with the NTT Law (Law Concerning Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Etc.).

A Small Backstory of NTT

NTT was established in 1952 as a public entity and Japan’s sole telecommunications company. NTT was a significant factor in Japan’s dominance in the computer microchip industry due to its need for increasingly advanced electronics equipment and its willingness to use large financial resources in support of technological research and development. The corporation was designing non-telephone linking technologies for electronic data systems and fiber-optic telecommunications services in the 1980s.

NTT Corporation
Image Source: cdn-japantimes.com

The Company’s Vision

Various social issues have arisen, such as global population growth and resource and water scarcity, as well as a falling birth rate and an aging population in Japan. To address these issues, it has become critical in all situations to advance digital development through the use of ICT (information and communication technology), as suggested in “Society 5.0.”

As “The Value Partner,” NTT Group will strive to address social challenges by advancing digital change through its business practices, using its various management tools and skills, such as research and development, ICT technology, and manpower, and partnering with its partners. NTT Group claims that resolving social problems can help to achieve a wise world through the use of ICT and the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The skills and programs of NTT Group for tackling social problems have already earned high acclaim in Japan and abroad. Furthermore, in terms of ensuring and running dependable ICT infrastructure, they have high-quality and dependable facilities, such as maintenance and protection dependent on strong networks.

The B2B2X Model

The promotion of the B2B2X model is one of the main pillars of NTT Group’s initiatives aimed at achieving a smart society. The B2B2X model is not a service that NTT Group offers directly to customers, but rather a model in which NTT Group assists service providers in delivering different value-added services to their customers by providing a range of ICT resources such as AI and IoT.

NTT Group has previously collaborated on the B2B2X platform with a number of member companies and local municipalities, but will now step up efforts to promote a model that makes use of digital services and data storage. The Company would increase the number of projects developed as B2B2X model enterprises from 13 in the current fiscal year to 100 by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, by these types of initiatives.

NTT Personal Customer Services

The Company implement “personal solutions” customized to each particular customer, headed by NTT DOCOMO, and assist customers in making lifestyle improvements. Rate contracts have been substantially updated to include better value and easy rates, and the company wants to update electronic purchases and personal contents in terms of facilities. Furthermore, NTT wants to enhance connectivity with and individual customers by using AI and big data.

NTT Corporation
Image Source: mms.businesswire.com

The Company will be able to capture market prospects and minimize business risks by encouraging ESG management that is adequately attentive to “climate,” “social,” and “governance”-related issues, resulting in continued gains in the corporate value.

In terms of distributions, NTT’s simple strategy is to raise dividends steadily. Furthermore, in terms of equity buybacks, the company wants to continue to carry out buybacks in a flexible manner in order to increase resource productivity in the future.

Jun Sawada, The CEO of NTT

Jun Sawada was born on the 30th of July, 1955. He is a Japanese businessman who has served as president and CEO of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) since June 2018. Sawada joined NTT in April 1978 and has held a number of senior roles at the firm since then. In June 2018, he took over as CEO after Hiroo Unoura.

NTT Group’s Mission Before and After COVID-19:

The company anticipates two significant changes in our culture and lives. The first would be the institutionalization of remote communications for the purpose of psychological distancing. The second would be a shift in the nature of globalism, as retaining social distance restricts the flow of individuals, goods, and capital. These developments would fuel a movement toward shifting supply chains built on a regional basis around the world to more globally installed supply chains, resulting in a new approach to “glocalization.”

Telenor

Telenor: One of the Largest and Globally known Mobile Telecommunications Company

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Telenor ASA is one of the biggest mobile telecommunications firms in the world, with activities around the world but mostly in Scandinavia and Asia. It has 10-year-old research and business line for Machine-to-Machine technology, as well as vast broadband and TV distribution activities in four Nordic countries. Telenor manages and operates networks in nine countries.

Telenor, The Telephone Company

Telenor began as Telegrafverket, a state-owned monopoly provider of telegraph services, in 1855. Televerket started by linking Christiania (now Oslo) to Sweden, as well as Christiania and Drammen.

In 1878, the first telephone service in Norway was established between Arendal and Tvedestrand, and in 1893, the first international telephone service was established between Christiania and Stockholm. The telephone system was automated beginning in 1920 and completed in 1985.

Telenor
Image Source: typenetwork.com

Always Moving Forward with Telenor

In the Nordic countries, Telenor provides a wide range of telecommunication networks, including mobile and fixed telephony, Internet connectivity, and cable TV access and video. Facing competition from Telia and others, Telenor remains Norway’s largest player. The company has a significant presence in the Scandinavian broadband and television industry, both in terms of subscribers and service area. With operations in five Asian countries, Telenor is a major player in the region.

Telenor’s Asian business currently comprises around 1.2 billion people, of which around 150 million are Telenor subscribers. Less than 20 percent of them are active mobile data users. The company’s ‘Internet for All’ strategy aims to capitalize on this important revenue and growth potential in a region with low penetration of the fixed network and the decline in the prices of devices.

The company’s Asian markets have seen unprecedented growth and demand for mobile data over the past two years. The number of mobile broadband connections in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to double to 2.1 billion in 2017. Telenor Group is strategically managing the voice-to-data transition, focusing on delivering innovative telecommunications and digital services based on the real needs of people in their markets.

Thailand and Malaysia are currently leading Telenor’s growth in the region. 32% and 37% of customers, respectively, are active mobile data users. However, the pace is accelerating in all Asian companies. In Bangladesh, 5.2 million are currently active data users, or 11 percent, while Uninor in India and Telenor Pakistan have 4.7 million and 5.3 million active users, or 15 percent, respectively.

Working for the Crowd

In order to achieve a profitable expansion of the mobile Internet, the Telenor Group has identified four key elements: building efficient, faster, and more intelligent networks, right prices and packages, increasing device quality, and using digital services and partnerships for a quick introduction.

To promote usage and meet customer needs, Telenor works with social media and entertainment players like Facebook, Wikipedia, and WhatsApp, targeting other digital offerings, including financial services, access to knowledge, and affordable and accessible health services.

The CEO: Sigve Brekke

On December 15, 1959, Sigve Brekke was born. He is the President and CEO of Telenor Group, a multinational telecommunications firm with operations in 13 Nordic, European, and Asian countries.

He was formerly the EVP and Head of Region Asia. He has played a key role in expanding Telenor’s presence in the area. He has been a key driver and shaper in transforming Telenor into a leading power in key Asian markets since helping to set the initial trajectory in 1999.

He began his career with Telenor as an analyst, later rising to the role of Manager for Business Development, where he was instrumental in developing the company’s Asian growth strategy. He has been the CEO of Dtac and Uninor since then. He’s already been involved in mergers and acquisitions, and he’s recently entered the Myanmar market.

T-Mobile

From the consumer’s favorite, how T-Mobile US became the third-largest wireless carrier in America?

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USA based wireless network operator T-Mobile US has started in 1994. While it is still a dominating wireless service provider in America. It is providing data services and wireless voice services all across the country. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the firm is known as the third-largest wireless carrier in America. The firm has also crossed over 100 million customers in 2020. Magenta & Magenta Plus, and T-Mobile Essentials are some of the well-known plans of the company.

The backstory of T-Mobile Foundation

The roots of T-Mobile US have traces in the establishment of VoiceStream Wireless PCS. Back in 1994, the firm had started as one of the subsidiaries of Western Wireless Corporation. While after five years, the firm got separated from the parent firm. In 1999, Deutsche Telekom AG purchased VoiceStream Wireless and renamed T-Mobile USA in 2002. However, in 2013, it got merged with MetroPCS and was again renamed T-Mobile U.S.

About T-Mobile US

T-Mobile
Image Source: t-mobile.com

American wireless carrier T-Mobile US is the third-largest firm in the country in that sector. The first owner of the firm Deutsche Telekom holds 43% shares of T-Mobile US. While SoftBank Group owns 24% shares, and the remaining 33% shares come under public holding. T-Mobile US is primarily providing wireless data and voice services in America. As per the consumer report 2015, the firm ranked first among other American Wireless carriers.  Recently, Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US have merged, making Sprint a subsidiary of T-Mobile. 

Further exploration of business

Within five to six years of establishment, the firm focused on the acquisition of regional network operators. So that the network of T-Mobile US can map most of the regions in the country. Aerial Communications Inc. and Omnipoint corporation are examples of such acquisitions, made in the year 2000. Thereafter, the firm bought licenses to operate a cellular communications network, providing coverage in many parts of America. In 2017, the company purchased a 600 MHz nationwide license. Recently, this network reaches 8,900 towns and cities, covering over 248 million users. It also provides an LTE network that supports VoLTE, like JIO’s LTE, which operates in India. However, the firm had launched its first-ever 3G phone in the market in 2007.

Products and Plans for users

Magenta & Magenta Plus, T-Mobile ONE, T-Mobile Essentials are some of the well-known products of the company. In fact, Magenta plans are the next level of T-Mobile One Family of plans. It is actually based on the existing features of the previous one, but with add-ons. Like HD streaming, 20GB HotSpot Data, etc. As well, the firm offers specialized plans for seniors, Military Personnel, and most importantly, the first responders. For them, the firm provides offers like 50% off the pricing of Magenta and Magenta plus plans.

T-Mobile Essentials, another plan of the firm offers other wonderful services to the users. It comes with unlimited Talktime, SMS plan, and data service. The cost of the plan is in fact lower and affordable to all.

Awards and Achievements

The firm has received numerous workplace awards and appraisals for delivering the best in the wireless industry. Disability Equality Index which shows the disability inclusion allotted 100 points to the firm. As well, the Human Rights Campaign honored it as the best place to work for LGBT Equality for back to back four years. Military Friendly also marked its name in the list of top 100 Military Friendly Employer. Most importantly, the company is among the firms recognized as Most Ethical Companies in the world. Apart from many such renowned awards, the firm has been awarded on a local basis as well.

Policy Maker and President at T-Mobile US- Michael Sievert

He is CEO, president, and one of the board of directors. Earlier, he worked at IBM, Clearwire. While Michael started his career at Procter & Gamble. As well, he served as an executive vice president at E-trade. In his past career, apart from being a CEO of Discovery Bay Games, Sievert also worked at AT&T wireless. Additionally, he played an important role at Global Windows Group of Microsoft. There he was a part of the team that worked to launch Windows Vista. Apart from serving as an employee, he also helped in founding Switchbox Labs. Later on, this business was acquired by Lenovo.

Coming to the journey of Michele at T-Mobile US, he joined the firm as CMO. After that, he became COO and reached the post of CEO in the year 2020. Sievert’s contribution to rebranding and marketing the business of T-Mobile US is remarkable.

Charter Communications

Charter Communications – Journey to deliver high-speed broadband service even after lots of obstacles in the way

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An American telecommunication firm, Charter Communications Inc. is a well-known mass media company. It has more than 26 million consumers in almost 41 states in the USA, making it the second-largest cable operator in America. As well as the firm has been recognized as the third-largest pay-TV operator in the country. Apart from that, Charter Communications ranks fifth as the largest telephone provider as per the residential subscriber line count. The journey to achieve this level in business has never been easy for the founders and the firm. Started in 1993, Charter Communications has experienced many hustles and went through lots of controversies. However, the firm proved that with excellent service and continuous efforts, any company can make a stand, despite all odds.

About Charter Communications Inc.

Charter Communications is well-known broadband connectivity and cable operator in the USA. With more than 30 million customers, it is also NASDAQ listed firm. Over the years, the firm has been providing communications and entertainment solutions to personal and commercial users. It also offers multiple services like cable video programming, premium channels, and online video services. Also, it is the ultimate stop for services like telephone services, sports content, internet services, and several others.

Through the spectrum band, Charter Communications has enabled broadband connectivity in 41 states in America. With this spectrum business of charter, communication fulfills the needs of small and medium-sized firms. As well, it provides broadband service and products to large businesses including some government entities also. Moreover, the firm has listed at number 70 in the Fortune 500 list, 2019.

The founders in the limelight

Jerald L. Kent

He is a well-established entrepreneur and businessman in the telecommunication industry. Apart from working at Charter Communications, Kent also served as TierPoint’s CEO. As well, he was the CEO of Cequell III.

Barry Babcock

He was born in Minneapolis and brought up in Oklahoma City. Belonging to a lower-middle-class family, he had to left highschool for some personal reasons. However, he continued education at the University of Oklahoma. When Barry entered the cable industry, he had nothing. In fact, he had to borrow money to invest in Charter Communications.

Howard L. Wood

He is one of the founding members of Charter Communications. As well, he helped in setting Cequel III in 2002. Before that, he served as CEO at Centcom Cable Associates.

The backstory of foundation

Charter Communications
Image Source: deadline.com

The firm has originally started as Charter Communications CATV systems in 1980. However, in 1993, Howard Wood, Barry Babcock, and Jerald Kent made it exceptional under the name Charter Communications Inc. Since then the firm has flourished dramatically which turned out pioneering in the field of the cable industry. Today, it is one of the inseparable parts of the high-tech cable industry.

Growing the business

It was started in the era, where the cable network was started from hilltops and ending at homes. Over the period, this cable business has morphed into a much advance and high-tech cable industry. While Charter Communications also evolved and is in the leading position today. Through several mergers and acquisitions, the firm has time to time to fulfill the requirements of consumers. In fact, to do so, it has done over 10 major acquisitions in the late 20 century. The firm has acquired subscribers from dozens of cable system providers in the USA. Includes, 4 lakh subscribers from InterMedia Partners, and 4 Lakh and 60K subscribers from Interlink communications. Additionally, it acquired leading firms like Renaissance Media Group, Helicon Cable Communications, Vista Broadband Communications, etc.

Charter Communications implemented one more new strategy i.e., swapping customers. To improve geographic clustering the firm has swapped its customers with many leading cable service providers. One such customer exchange was made with AT&T corporation in 1999.

Controversies

The firm received lots of criticism in its history. Even it was listed as worst among 14 major internet service providers by PC World. As per the consumer report 2008, it was marked as the worst of national carriers. As well, the US department of justice investigated the Charter in 2002 for a lawsuit filed against the firm. Several other financial lawsuits have also filed on Charter Communication.

Later Success

Currently, the firm has grown its cable network to more than 7.5 lakh miles, fulfilling the needs of more than 30 million consumers. The vast infrastructure of Charter Communications is now offering faster broadband, which once accused of providing the worst network. As well, it has enabled many other services like voice, telephone, and offers the best customer support. Being the leading broadband connectivity firm, the Charter is providing innovative services with the best customer satisfaction.