Abstract

In 2003, Telefonica, the Spanish telecommunications major, is facing intense pressure from different quarters. In Latin America, one of its strongholds, economic conditions are weak. Telefonica's investments in advanced wireless technologies have not yielded the desired results due to the need for more investments, unproven technology and uncertainty in demand. The case illustrates how a protected government-owned company can be turned into a global player through proactive management and strong leadership. This case also illustrates some of the challenges involved in international expansion.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

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Keywords

Telefonica, Argentina telecommunications, Economic crisis in Argentina, Restructuring, Managing global operations, Spanish telecommunications, Terra Lycos, Juan Villalonga, Alierta, 3G licences, ADSL broadband, Qualcomm, Mobile, Telephony, Telecommunications