SoftBank’s plan to pivot away from the telecoms business seeks to capitalise on the information revolution, but investors remain focused on key risks along the way and a persistent valuation gap. The Japanese conglomerate, led by billionaire founder Masayoshi Son, has garnered attention for its nearly US$100bn Vision Fund (SVF). The high-profile fund is the centrepiece of SoftBank’s strategy to transform from a telecoms businesses into a strategic holding company that operates somewhat like a corporate venture capital firm. Yet investors have remained sceptical...

Gogo is searching for strategic alternatives as the US inflight connectivity provider mulls splitting up its enterprise and consumer aviation units to stabilise the business. The restructuring comes amid lawsuits and downgrades…

The US government’s last-ditch effort to block AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner may have a chilling effect on other deals in the pipeline, as the regulatory landscape becomes more clouded with uncertainty. Just one month after a federal judge cleared the way the telco’s US$84.5bn mega-acquisition of Time Warner, the Justice Department filed its notice of appeal, adding another chapter to a saga that began in October 2016. “We think the likelihood of this thing being reversed or overturned is...

Connectivity Business compiles the latest M&A and financing deals by country, company, mandate, and mandated.

This year’s Connectivity Business Investment Conference provided a unique lens to study prospects for growth in this rapidly evolving sector. While relentless demand for data in an increasingly connected world is a strong foundation for growth, uncertainty still shrouds the real cost of...

Eutelsat has joined fellow FSS operators Intelsat and SES in formally announcing support for sharing C-band frequencies with terrestrial operators, amid related developments at the FCC. The agency announced an…

Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica may offload part of its fixed-line network as it looks to capitalise on the infrastructure investment fever currently gripping the globe. As the telco has sought to reduce its debt pile and grapple with structural risks in its domestic market, it has also faced criticism for...

Despite a lacklustre debut, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi’s IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has boosted IPO returns worldwide and readied the market for China Tower’s imminent offering. Xiaomi’s inclusion in key index compilers FTSE Russell and the Hang Seng Index bolstered its value after the electronics maker...