Eurobites: Vodafone Faces Legal Challenge Over 4G Emergency Calls Patent

Telefónica Deutschland saw its underlying second-quarter revenues rise 2.4% year-on-year to €1.79 billion (US$1.99 billion), its mobile service revenues, excluding the effects of regulatory measures, climbing 1.5% to €1.33 billion ($1.48 billion). Losses widened, however, to €49 million ($54 million), compared with a €12 million ($13 million) loss in the year-ago period. During the quarter, the operator acquired 5G spectrum and, with Mercedes-Benz, set up what it says was the world's first 5G network for automobile production.

Away from the numbers, Telefónica Deutschland has appointed Mallik Rao as its new CTO, responsible for both its fixed and mobile operations. Rao is a 25-year veteran of the telecom industry, his most recent role being at Vodafone Turkey. He will replace Cayetano Carbajo Martin, who is moving on to a new position at the Spanish parent company.

Bango, the UK-based mobile commerce company, has launched new OTT partnerships that allow prepaid mobile customers in Spain, UAE, India, Singapore, Philippines and New Zealand to have streaming media subscriptions as part of their existing plans.

Adjusted revenues at Dutch incumbent KPN fell 3.1% year-on-year in the second quarter, to €1.35 billion ($1.50 billion), though EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) was up 1.1%, to €602 million ($671 million). A growth in bundled offerings, says the operator, was offset by a decline in "legacy" services.

It was a brighter picture for Orange Belgium in the second quarter, with revenues up 1.9% year-on-year to €318.9 million ($355.5 million), and EBITDA (after leases) up 18.2% to €78.9 million ($87.9 million). Higher retail service revenues and cost controls were among the reasons cited for the positive direction of travel.

Sky, the UK-based pay-TV player, has introduced a new movie ratings system for its Sky Q set-top box that it hopes will help parents decide whether a particular box-office smash is suitable fare for their kids. As an example, Sky shows that How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World receives two points (out of five) for "educational value," four points for "positive role models and representations" and a disappointing one point for "sexy stuff." Well, that's that one crossed off the list for the next Eurobites Towers movie night.

— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading