Netflix's French film agreement; Ireland on Meta's EU-US data transfers

TOP NEWS IN TMT

* Netflix Inc. concluded a three-year cinema financing deal with three French cinema organizations. As part of the agreement, the company will invest 4% of its net annual turnover in France by way of a minimum guarantee of €30 million invested annually for the production of 10 French films every year.

* Ireland's Data Protection Commission, or DPC, gave a revised preliminary ruling to Meta Platforms Inc. regarding the U.S. technology company's practices in transferring user data to the U.S., TechCrunch reported, citing DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle.

➤ Wireless Investor: 5G, pandemic impact data caps in US

Top mobile operators in the U.S. took advantage of an improved capacity to expand unlimited data plans while keeping tighter control on hotspots, according to Kagan's latest collection of consumption limits.

➤ Wireless Investor: Mexico mobile projections, 2021-2031

With the announcement of the exit of Telefónica's Movistar from the mobile competition, AT&T Mexico and Telcel will have control over the market, with 20% and 80% market share in terms of subscriptions, respectively, as of the second quarter of 2021.

TECHNOLOGY

* The U.S. government could cut the supply of low and high-tech U.S. and foreign-made goods to Russia if it invades Ukraine further. The U.S. may add more goods to a list that requires a U.S. license before suppliers can ship to Russia, Reuters reported, citing sources.

* Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Romania and Croatia will send a team of cybersecurity experts to Ukraine to help tackle cyber threats amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported.

* The U.K.'s National Cyber Security Centre urged the country's organizations to strengthen their online security against potential cyberattacks amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

* Intel Corp. named Frans Scheper general manager and president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reported DataNews.

* Germany-based software and technology company Robert Bosch GmbH will invest more than €250 million to expand its chip manufacturing facilities in Reutlingen to help address the global chip shortage.

* Nokia Corp. launched a new Intelligent Radio Access Network Operations solution, aiming to use machine learning to manage the increasing complexity of 5G networks while limiting operational costs.

* Ericsson's nomination committee proposed the election of Carolina Dybeck Happe as a new board member. If approved, the number of board members will increase to 11 from 10.

* Data solutions provider Vantage Data Centers Management Co. LLC will build its second facility in Offenbach, Germany, covering 13,000 square meters and including 16 megawatts of IT capacity.

INTERNET & OTT

* A Berlin regional court ruled that Netflix is not allowed to increase prices for current subscriptions at its own discretion, reported Der Tagesspiegel. The ruling upholds a complaint filed by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations.

* Deutsche Telekom AG and Zoom Video Communications Inc. are extending their partnership with Zoom X, a product for businesses, corporates and public sector customers in the German market.

* Hexatronic Group AB's U.K. unit Hexatronic UK Ltd. extended its supply deal with CityFibre Holdings Ltd., under which Hexatronic will provide fiber-optic solutions such as fiber-optic cables, microducts and aerial nodes in an agreement worth about £100 million over the next three years.

MEDIA

* Vivendi SE raised its public tender offer for the Lagardere SA shares it does not currently own to €25.50 per share, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

* U.K.-based communications and advertising company WPP PLC acquired influencer marketing agency Village Marketing for an undisclosed sum.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

* Telecom Italia SpA is expected to make a decision on KKR & Co. Inc.'s €10.8 billion takeover offer by mid-March, Reuters reported, citing a source.

* Italian tower operator Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA secured approval for its target to be carbon-neutral by 2025 from the Science Based Targets initiative for corporate climate action.

* Vodafone Greece activated its 5G services in 26 Greek regions as part of the company's €600 million investment program, Telecompaper reported. Vodafone Group PLC owns Vodafone Greece.

* Lithuania intends to complete its 5G spectrum band distribution tenders in May or June, Telecompaper reported, citing Vz.lt. The auction for the 700 MHz band is expected to be completed in May, while bidding for the 3.6 GHz band will be held in June.

FILM & TV

* ITV Studios Ltd. inked a content deal with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. involving the sale of several scripted and nonscripted titles such as "Ten Year Old Tom" and "Bump Series 2." ITV PLC owns ITV Studios.

* British Telecom's BT Sport unveiled "Rugby Stories," a series of documentaries on 13 clubs in the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership rugby union competition. The documentaries will start airing March 4.

* Hrvatski Telekom secured exclusive broadcasting rights to Croatian Football Association matches from 2022/2023 to 2025/2026 in a deal worth €36 million.

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Anne Freier, Amanda Kelly, Charlotte van Hek and Gerard O'Dwyer contributed to this report.

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