5 Must-Read Telecom Stories, Feb. 6

Each week Talkin’ Cloud compiles a list of must-read telecommunications stories for readers who are looking to stay on top of what’s going on in the fast-moving telecom industry.

This week’s column features the following companies from the marketplace: Google (GOOG), ThinkingPhones, 8×8 (EGHT), Verizon (VZ) and BT (BT). These stories have been gathered from Talkin’ Cloud’s Telco Hub database of telecom news and other news sources. And if we missed something, feel free to leave a comment below. We might just add it into the mix.

Here’s this week’s list of 5 Must-Read Telecom Stories, Feb. 6.

Is Google Ready To Go Wireless?

Google could soon offer wireless service directly to customers after signing reseller deals with telecommunications giants Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (TMUS). By partnering with Sprint or T-Mobile, Google could purchase wholesale access to each of the existing carriers’ networks, according to Tech Republic. Also, Google would be able to sell wireless plans and manage users’ calls and mobile data usage.

ThinkingPhones Buys Android Call Management App Provider Contactive

ThinkingPhones has acquired Contactive, a New York-based Android call management app provider; the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) company said it plans to integrate Contactive’s multi-platform big data product, Klink, into its platform.

8×8 Launches Powerful Suite of Analytics and Reporting Tools to Help Enterprises Transform Communications from a Utility to a Business Enabler

8×8 has released a Virtual Office Analytics suite, which includes big data analytics and reporting tools that are designed to provide enterprises with insights into their communications activities and trends. The UC and contact center solutions provider noted that its Virtual Office Analytics suite provides users with “real-time and historical information associated with the services, extensions and devices in an organization’s Virtual Office telephony deployment.”

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Verizon Sharpens Strategic Focus and Returns Value to Investors With Transactions Valued at $15.54 Billion

Verizon has reached an agreement to sell its local wireline operations serving customers in California, Florida and Texas to Frontier Communications (FTR). Frontier will pay Verizon approximately $10.54 billion (approximately $9.9 billion in cash, along with $600 million in assumed debt) for the business and related assets in these states. Additionally, Verizon has agreed to lease the rights to over 11,300 of its company-owned wireless towers to American Tower Corp. (AMT), which will also purchase approximately 165 Verizon towers, for a total upfront payment of approximately $5 billion.

British Telecommunications Giant BT to Buy EE for $19 Billion

BT has finalized a deal to acquire UK-based mobile network operator EE for about $19 billion. EE has the largest 4G customer base of any European mobile network operator, and BT said adding EE will allow it to accelerate its mobile strategy.

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