Telefónica and China Unicom have created a new joint venture in China that aims to promote the Spain-based operator’s big data technology.
Called Smart Steps Digital Technology Company Limited, the JV will target transportation construction and operations, urban planning, tourism management, public security, financial risk control, real estate and retail analysis, business consultancy insights and “macro statistics”.
Telefónica is a junior partner in the JV, holding a 45 percent stake versus China Unicom’s 55 percent.
It builds on a strategic alliance the two operators have had since 2009.
Telefónica said it is the first time it has extended Smart Steps beyond its existing operational footprint.
The service, which launched in 2012, uses anonymised, aggregated and extrapolated network data to provide location-based insights about people and things.
However, it faced a difficult start and was refocused in late 2014 from its initial target of retailers to the transport sector.
That strategy appeared to be paying off as Telefónica announced last June that Exterion Media had signed a deal to get data about passengers on the London Underground.
According to European Communications’ annual survey, the vast majority of operators have found it difficult to monetise the data they have at their disposal.
More than 60 percent said they were not generating revenues from selling data to third parties.
Last November, Telefónica acquired Synergic Partners in a bid to boost its big data capabilities.
Source: http://www.eurocomms.com/industry-news/11256-telefonica-china-unicom-unveil-big-data-joint-venture