Analysys Mason Podcast

COVID-19: operators’ business revenue results from 1Q 2020 show that the crisis is starting to take effect

Operators’ quarterly investor reports for 1Q 2020 were filled with warning signs about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. A temporary end to business travel, financial difficulties, business closures, rising unemployment, an increase in bad debt and the implications of a recession were all mentioned as concerns.
The crisis comes after what was a reasonably successful 2019. Indeed, many operators reversed negative revenue trends. The weighted average for business revenue growth increased from –0.6% worldwide in 2018 to 1.2% in 2019.1 However, operators expect that business revenue will decline significantly in 2020.
The associated article can be found here.

The proposed O2–Virgin Media merger will significantly increase the level of fixed–mobile convergence in the UK

On 7 May 2020, Telefónica and Liberty Global agreed, subject to regulatory approval, to merge their UK operations in a 50:50 joint venture. The proposed merger will create a second converged operator in the UK market and is likely to increase pressure on standalone players. 
In this podcast, Analyst, Simon Lumb explores the strategic reasons driving the merger and explains how it is likely to affect fixed–mobile convergence retail offers in the UK retail market in future.
The associated article can be found here.
 

COVID-19 will only have short-term impacts on telecoms software and services vendors

In this podcast, Research Director, Dana Cooperson highlights that telecoms industry vendors will suffer short-term setbacks from COVID-19 as general shutdowns impede work and decision-making in 2Q 2020. However, the longer-term outlook for investment in the telecoms industry is positive, particularly in areas such as automation, virtualisation and cloud enablement.
The associated article can be found here.

COVID-19 will lead telecoms revenue to decline by 3.4% in developed markets in 2020

In this podcast Rupert Wood discusses Analysys Mason's initial attempt to quantify the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on various elements of the telecoms business including major revenue contributors and cost items.
The associated article can be found here.

There are six ways in which operators can improve their approach to SMEs

Many operators, particularly incumbents, have been reporting flat or declining business revenue, even before the COVID-19 crisis.
In this podcast, Analyst, Terry van Staden discusses the ways in which operators are exploring new opportunities in the small and medium-sized enterprise market.
The associated article can be found here.

Palo Alto Networks is hoping that its acquisition of SD-WAN firm CloudGenix is not too late

In this podcast Research Director, Tom Rebbeck discusses Palo Alto Networks' recent acquisition of SD-WAN firm CloudGenix. 
The associated article can be found here. 

COVID-19: IoT has a limited role in dealing with the current crisis, but could help with future pandemics

IoT has been absent from telecoms operators’ press releases about their actions regarding COVID-19. This is unsurprising because IoT accounts for only a small share of their revenue. Inevitably, COVID-19 will have a short-term impact on demand (many IoT projects are likely to be put on hold) and will lead to supply-side disruptions.
In this podcast, Principal Analyst, Michele Mackenzie discusses the longer-term opportunities for operators to explore, especially as governments prepare for future outbreaks.
The associated article can be found here.

All eyes are on Rakuten Mobile’s MNO launch, but it remains to be seen if its model will be successful

Rakuten Mobile is a subsidiary of the e-commerce, fintech and media company Rakuten, and has been an MVNO in Japan since October 2014. It has 2.3 million subscribers as of March 2020, making it the largest MVNO in its market. Rakuten Mobile announced that it will launch a new service as an MNO on 8 April 2020.
In this podcast, Senior Analyst, Rémy Pascal considers the details of Rakuten Mobile’s launch and outlines what the telecoms industry may learn from it.
The associated article can be found here.