Technology Roundup – AT&T, Microsoft cloud/5G deal, Uber rival launching, Intel seeking buyers

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Published on: November 26, 2019
Author: Amy Liu

AT&T, Microsoft add details to major cloud/5G deal

AT&T (NYSE:T) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are adding new details to their major partnership on cloud/5G, which got an early announcement in July.

In the $2B-plus deal, the companies are opening selection preview availability for Network Edge Compute technology, which “weaves Microsoft Azure cloud services into AT&T network edge locations closer to customers” – so AT&T’s 5G core is now capable of delivering Azure services.

That is rolling out for a select set of customers in Dallas, with availability expanding to Los Angeles and Atlanta next year.

AT&T says it recently activated an industry-first 400-gigabit connection between Dallas and Atlanta, targeting video, gaming, and other 5G needs. It plans to offer nationwide 5G in the first half of 2020.

Microsoft is also helping AT&T Communications become a “public cloud-first” company by migrating most non-network workloads to the public cloud by 2024, a migration it says is already under way. AT&T has also started rolling out Microsoft 365 solutions to tens of thousands of employees.

Uber rival launching soon in London

One day after Uber (UBER +3%) lost its London license, Indian ride-hail company Ola announces plans to launch in the city in the coming weeks.

Ola touts its safety practices, which include facial recognition for drivers. Transport for London cited safety concerns when pulling Uber’s license.

A CNBC source says Ola might start with a soft launch next month before a full roll-out in mid-January.

Ola received its permit to operate in London earlier this year.

Ride-hail operators in London include Bolt, Kapten, and Gett. Uber can continue picking up riders, pending an appeal of its loss.

Xerox going hostile in HP bid

Xerox (XRX -0.1%) confirms it will take its takeover bid to HP’s (HPQ -1.1%) shareholders.

The initial letter threatening to go hostile gave HP a November 25 deadline for agreeing to mutual confirmatory due diligence.

Key quote from the new letter: “We plan to engage directly with HP shareholders to solicit their support in urging the HP Board to do the right thing and pursue this compelling opportunity.”

On Sunday, HP rejected Xerox’s $22/share offer, saying the amount “significantly undervalues HP.”

Intel seeking buyers for home connectivity unit

Bloomberg sources say Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) has hired a financial adviser for a potential sale of the unit, which makes chips for home internet gear like routers and gateways.

The unit has annual sales of about $450M.

CEO Bob Swan has said he will explore options for units where Intel isn’t competitive.

In July, Intel sold its smartphone modem business to Apple for $1B.

Intel shares are up 0.1% pre-market to $58.87.

Nevada next to drop Sprint-T-Mobile opposition

T-Mobile’s (NASDAQ:TMUS) efforts to close its deal with Sprint (NYSE:S) are gathering pace before a trial with opposing attorneys general on Dec. 9.

Nevada is the next state to drop its opposition to the deal in exchange for early deployment of the next generation of wireless and the promise of several hundred jobs.

On Monday, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton announced that his office also “reached a settlement with T-Mobile resolving the state’s antitrust claims against the proposed merger.”

TMUS +1.3% premarket

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