View source for Telefónica

{{short description|Spanish multinational telecommunications company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Telefónica, S.A.
| logo = Telefónica 2021 logo.svg
| logo_caption = Logo since 2021
| logo_size = 250px
| image = Distrito Telefónica (Madrid) 09.jpg
| image_caption = Headquarters in [[Madrid]], Spain
| image_size = 250px
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{BMAD|isin=ES0178430E18|TEF}}<br />{{NYSE|TEF}} (ADR)<br />
{{BVL|id=87938|TEF}} (ADR)
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|ES0178430E18}}
| former_names = Compañía Telefónica Nacional de España (1924–1984)
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1924|04|19|df=y}}
| hq_location = [[Distrito Telefónica]], {{small|([[Headquarters|HQ]])}}<br />[[Telefónica Building]], ({{small|[[office]]}})
| hq_location_city = [[Madrid]]
| hq_location_country = [[Spain]]
| area_served = [[Europe]], [[Mainland]] [[China]], [[United States]], [[Latin America]]
| key_people = [[Marc Murtra]],<br />([[Chairman]] and [[chief executive officer|CEO]])<ref>{{cite news|title=Telefónica nombra a Marc Murtra nuevo presidente en sustitución de Álvarez-Pallete|url=https://elpais.com/economia/2025-01-18/los-nuevos-accionistas-de-telefonica-plantean-el-relevo-de-jose-maria-alvarez-pallete-al-frente-de-la-compania.html}}</ref>
| industry = [[Telecommunications]]
| products = {{ubl|[[Landline|Fixedline telephony]]|[[Mobile telephony]]|[[Broadband|Broadband internet]]|[[Digital television]]}}
| owner = 
| revenue = {{increase}} $44.7 billion<ref name=YE2024>{{Cite web |title=Telefonica SA Financial Statements 2009-2025 {{!}} TEF |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TEF/telefonica-sa/financial-statements |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>
| revenue_year = 2024
| operating_income = {{decrease}} $2.6 billion (2024)<ref name=YE2024/>
| net_income = {{increase}} $-344.1 million (2024)<ref name=YE2024/>
| assets = {{decrease}} $108.8 billion (2024)<ref name=YE2024/>
| equity = {{decrease}} $24.6 billion (2024)<ref name=YE2024/>
| num_employees = 100,870 (2024)<ref name=YE2024/>
| subsid = {{ubl|[[Movistar]]|[[Virgin Media O2]] (50%)|[[Telefónica Germany]]|[[Vivo (telecommunications company)|Vivo]]|[[Telxius]]}}
| homepage = {{URL|telefonica.com}}
}}

'''{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}}, S.A.''' ({{IPA|es|teleˈfonika}}) is a Spanish [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[telecommunications]] company. It has headquarters as well as a [[registered office]] in [[Madrid]], Spain.<ref>"[https://www.telefonica.com/en/distrito_telefonica/html/index.shtml How to get to Distrito {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}}] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113959/http://www.telefonica.com/en/distrito_telefonica/html/index.shtml |date=24 September 2015 }}."</ref> It is [[List of telephone operating companies|one of the largest telephone operators]] and [[List of mobile network operators|mobile network providers]] in the world. It provides [[Landline|fixed]] and [[mobile telephony]], [[Internet access|broadband]], and [[Pay television|subscription television]], operating in Europe and the Americas.

Along with its {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} brand, it also trades as [[Movistar]], [[O2 (brand)|O2]], and [[Vivo (telecommunications company)|Vivo]]. The company is a component of the [[Euro Stoxx 50]] [[stock market index]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/en/equities/indices/euro+stoxx+50+EU0009658145/constituents |title=Frankfurt Stock Exchange |access-date=22 October 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208093448/http://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/en/equities/indices/euro%20stoxx%2050%20EU0009658145/constituents |url-status=dead  }}</ref> On 15 April 2012, Telefónica shut down TVA and Ajacto, which unified the brand into Vivo.

== History ==
[[File:Evolución logo de la compañía Telefónica.jpg|alt=Telefónica logo evolution|thumb|Telefónica's logo evolution since 1924 to 2021]]
The company was created in Madrid in 1924, as '''Compañía Telefónica Nacional de España (CTNE)''', with [[ITT Inc.|ITT]] among its major shareholders.<ref name="historia">{{cite web |url=https://www.telefonica.com/en/web/about_telefonica/history |title=History |publisher=Telefónica |access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> In 1945, the state acquired by law a share of 79.6% of the company, later diluted by a capital increase in 1967.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telefonica.com/es/web/about_telefonica/historia|title=Historia {{!}} Acerca de Telefónica|website=telefonica.com|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>

Until the liberalization of the telecom market in 1997, Telefónica was the only telephone operator in Spain,<ref>Garcia Algarra, Javier (2010). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233859833_The_American_influence_in_Telefonica%27s_public_relations_strategy_during_the_20%27s_and_30%27s "The American influence in Telefónica's public relations strategy during the 20s and 30s"], IEEE HISTELCON 2010</ref> where it retained a dominant position.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_07_460 |title=Press conference on Telefónica decision – introductory remarks |access-date=18 February 2008 |publisher=European Commissioner for Competition Policy |date=4 July 2007}}</ref> Telefónica is present in 12 countries in Latin America and Europe, as of January 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telefonica.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Telefonica-in-numbers.pdf |title=Telefónica in numbers 2024 |access-date=2025-08-14 |publisher=Telefónica }}</ref>

== Ownership ==
Telefónica is a publicly listed company with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. At the end of 2025 its share capital comprised  5,670,161,554 ordinary shares (one euro each) traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Valencia) and on those in [[London]], [[New York (state)|New York]], Lima, and [[Buenos Aires]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Share capital |url=https://www.telefonica.com/en/shareholders-investors/share/share-capital/ |website=www.telefonica.com |publisher=Telephonica |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

Telefónica is a national defence service provider in Spain, where the government has a regulatory role in its [[mergers and acquisitions|M&A]], including shareholders.<ref name="reuters.com"/>

In September 2023, Saudi Arabia's telecom, [[Saudi Telecom Company|STC Group]], became Telefónica's largest shareholder, with a 9.9% holding, increasing its stake to €2.1 billion ($US2.23 billion), through shares and convertible financial instruments.<ref name="reuters.com">Inti Landauro and Jesús Aguado (31 October 2023), [https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/spains-state-fund-considers-taking-telefonica-stake-after-stc-move-2023-10-31/ Spain's state fund considers taking Telefónica stake after STC move] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=STC Group acquires a €2.1 billion stake in Telefónica {{!}} Total Telecom |url=https://totaltele.com/stc-group-acquires-a-e2-1-billion-stake-in-telefonica/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=totaltele.com}}</ref> Announced in December 2023,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-19 |title=Spain Orders State Company Sepi to Buy Up to 10% of Telefonica |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-19/spain-orders-state-company-sepi-to-buy-up-to-10-of-telefonica |access-date=2023-12-19}}</ref> the Spanish government subsequently acquired a 10% stake in Telefónica, valued at $2.2 billion, in May 2024, to offset the telecom's Saudi ownership stake, through state holding company [[Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales|SEPI]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-20 |title=Spain concludes purchase of 10% stake in Telefonica |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/spain-concludes-purchase-10-stake-telefonica-2024-05-20/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

Stockholders of 5% or more ownership in the company, as at August 13, 2025, are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telefónica, S.A.: Share ownership |url=https://uk.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/TELEF-NICA-S-A-68962/company-shareholders/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.marketscreener.com |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Government of Spain]] ([[Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales|SEPI]]): 10%
* [[CaixaBank]]: 9.99%
* [[Saudi Telecom Company|STC Group]]: 9.969%
* [[Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria]] (BBVA): 5.007%

== Operations ==
[[File:Telefonica Map.svg|thumb|Map of countries where Telefónica brands operate as of 2025{{Col-begin}}{{legend|#009ff7|Movistar}}{{legend|#000aab|O2}}{{legend|#66009a|Vivo}}{{legend|#000457|Formerly O2, the brand is still used under license}}{{legend|#4b4b4b|Former Movistar and O2 markets}}{{col-end}}]]
=== Europe ===
==== Austria ====
In May 2022, Telefónica announced the acquisition of the European cloud-based services specialist and cloud Microsoft Dynamics partner BE-terna. The deal worth €350 million includes 1,000 staff, AI, extended service capabilities across Europe, and a cybersecurity services division. The deal aimed to see Telefónica increase its geographic scale and aid its digital capabilities.<ref>{{cite journal|date=9 May 2022|url=https://www.telecomtv.com/content/digital-platforms-services/telef-nica-boosts-its-enterprise-portfolio-with-350-million-be-terna-takeover-44399/|title=Telefónica boosts its enterprise portfolio with €350 million BE-terna takeover|journal=Telecom TV|access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref>

==== Spain ====
{{Main|Movistar}}
Telefónica is the second largest corporation in Spain, behind the [[Santander Group]].<ref>Spanish companies in [[Fortune Global 500]]  [https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2007/countries/Spain.html ranking].</ref> It operates under the ''movistar'' and ''O2'' brands with the first being the largest broadband and phone (both mobile and landlines) provider in [[Spain]].

Telefónica's FTTH network in Spain is the most extensive fibre-to-home network in Europe, as of April 2016,<ref>[https://www.economist.com/news/business/21695924-fate-telef-nica-under-c-sar-alierta-mirrors-spains-ups-and-downs-hail-c-sar Hail, César!  The fate of Telefónica under César Alierta mirrors Spain's ups and downs] 2 Apr 2016 The Economist</ref> and the shutdown plan for the legacy copper network is already in progress.<ref>[https://www.telefonica.com/en/web/press-office/-/telefonica-will-shut-down-one-copper-switchboard-a-day-until-2020 Telefónica will shut down one copper switchboard a day until 2020] 7 June 2018 Telefónica</ref>

==== Germany ====
{{Main|Telefónica Germany}}
Telefónica was the parent of Telefónica Deutschland, which held two alternative IP carriers. The two ISPs, mediaWays and HighwayOne merged in January 2003 after having been purchased by Telefónica in 2001 and February 2002 respectively.

On 26 January 2006, Telefónica completed its £17.7 billion (€25.7 billion) acquisition of the UK-based operator [[O2 (United Kingdom)|O2]] which also provided mobile phone services in Germany under the O2 brand.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aocGdBSbFRLA&refer=uk | title=Telefonica Wins Conditional EU Approval for O2 Bid | publisher=Bloomberg | first=Matthew | last=Newman | date=10 January 2006 | access-date=23 July 2013 }}</ref> Following the purchase, Telefónica merged Telefónica Deutschland and O2 Germany to form the current business [[Telefónica Germany]].

Telefónica Germany, purchased competitor [[E-Plus]] on 1 October 2014. As part of the purchase, Telefónica reduced its stake in its subsidiary to 62.1%. Integration continues as of August 2015, but the now merged network is Germany's largest in customers.

==== United Kingdom ====
{{Main|Virgin Media O2}}
On 31 October 2005, O2 agreed to be taken over by Telefónica, with a cash offer of £17.7 billion, or £2 per share.<ref>{{cite news | url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4391754.stm | title = Telefonica bids £18 billion for U.K.'s O2 | date= 31 October 2005 | access-date= 25 April 2010 | work= BBC News}}</ref> According to the merger announcement, O2, which provided mobile phone services in the UK, [[Ireland]], [[Germany]] and the [[Isle of Man]] (uniquely to the O2 group [[Manx Telecom]] also offered fixed-line services), retained its name and continued to be based in the United Kingdom, keeping both the brand and the management team. The merger became unconditional on 23 January 2006 and O2 became a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica. Manx Telecom was sold by [[O2 (brand)|Telefónica Europe]] in June 2010.

In January 2015, [[Li Ka-shing]] entered into talks with Telefónica to buy O2 for around £10.25 billion, aiming to merge it with his subsidiary [[Three UK|Three]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Li Ka-shing in talks to buy O2 for £10bn|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30946005|access-date=26 January 2015|work=BBC News|date=23 January 2015}}</ref> The acquisition was officially blocked by the European Commission on 11 May 2016, which argued that the merger would reduce [[consumer choice]] and lead to a higher cost of services<ref name="bbc-3o2blocked">{{cite news|title=EU blocks Three's takeover of O2|work=BBC News|date=11 May 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36266924|access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref> Telefónica began to seek a stock market flotation of the business instead.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Christopher|title=O2 fires up blockbuster London float plans|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/24/o2-fires-up-blockbusterlondon-float-plans/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/24/o2-fires-up-blockbusterlondon-float-plans/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=24 September 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Announced on 7 May 2020, [[Liberty Global]] owner of [[Virgin Media]] and Telefónica owner of O2, agreed to merge their U.K. businesses in a deal worth £31bn and form one of the UK's largest entertainment and telecommunication companies to rival the [[BT Group]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Fildes|first1=Nic|last2=Massoudi|first2=Arash|last3=Fontanella-Khan|first3=James|date=2020-05-07|title=Liberty Global and Telefónica agree £31bn deal to merge UK groups|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/2b73a385-7218-47dc-83bf-18e6e3d5f8f4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/2b73a385-7218-47dc-83bf-18e6e3d5f8f4 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|access-date=2022-01-12}}</ref> As of the 1 June 2021, Virgin Media and O2 UK Ltd officially merged to form [[Virgin Media O2]], giving Telefónica a 50% stake in the new company, with the other 50% owned by Liberty Global.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/o2-s-megamerger-with-virgin-media-gets-green-light-b936196.html|title = O2's megamerger with Virgin Media gets green light|date = 20 May 2021}}</ref>

==== France ====
{{Main|Bouygues Telecom}}
In France, since 2011, Telefónica has a joint venture with the French telecommunications company [[Bouygues Telecom]], part of the [[Bouygues]] group, to offer global telecommunication services packages to multinational companies. This cooperation was expanded in June 2015 through the creation of a separate joint venture company named Telefónica Global Solutions France, with its own marketing and sales teams offering Telefónica and Bouygues Telecom services packages to corporations.

=== Americas ===
Telefónica operates the [[Movistar]] mobile phone brand throughout Latin America and the [[Vivo (telecommunications company)|Vivo]] in Brazil. In [[Mexico]] it occupies a distant second place and it is the largest in [[Chile]], [[Venezuela]], and [[Brazil]]. Telefónica plans to divest the majority of its Latin American business in order to focus on the core markets UK, Spain, Germany and Brazil and add €2 billion in revenue with this programme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news/9953-america-movil-and-telefonica-scrap-el-salvador-sale.html|title=America Movil and Telefonica scrap El Salvador sale|date=2020-09-04|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Developing Telecoms}}</ref>

==== Brazil ====
{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}}'s largest fixed-line operation in South America is in [[Brazil]], where it provides broadband, local and long-distance telephone services in the aforementioned state, which alone represents the highest GDP of South America. It also owns a majority stake in the Brazilian [[mobile telephony|mobile]] operator Vivo, having agreed on 28 July 2010 to buy [[Portugal Telecom]]'s stake in the firm for €7.5 billion, after increasing its original offer by €1.8 billion over three months of incident-rich negotiations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Minder|first=Raphael|title=Telefónica Wins Full Control of Brazil Phone Venture|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/technology/29vivo.html|access-date=31 July 2010|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=28 July 2010}}</ref> The {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} group has been in the country since 1996 when it acquired CRT, a fixed-line and mobile operator in the southern part of the country. The landline division is currently part of [[Oi (telecommunications)|Oi]]. In July 1998, acquired [[Telesp]], the telephony operator of the [[Telebrás]] system in the [[São Paulo (state)|state of São Paulo]], forming [[Telefônica Brasil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ri.telefonica.com.br/|title=Our History|access-date=2020-01-12|website=Telefônica|language=pt}}</ref>

In June 2009, after four big "blackouts" on {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}}'s broadband "Speedy", [[Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications|ANATEL]] ordered {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} to stop sales of its broadband service until improvements were made on the infrastructure to provide better-quality service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/mat/2009/06/22/anatel-suspende-comercializacao-do-speedy-banda-larga-da-telefonica-756446903.asp |website=oglobo.globo.com |title=Anatel suspende comercialização do Speedy, banda larga da Telefônica |date=9 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625042704/http://oglobo.globo.com/economia/mat/2009/06/22/anatel-suspende-comercializacao-do-speedy-banda-larga-da-telefonica-756446903.asp |archive-date=25 June 2009 }}</ref> After the release of sales of broadband internet in August 2009, ANATEL expects the company's service investments to keep on par with the sales. On 24 July 2010, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} announced that the number of Speedy subscribers had exceeded three million people.

==== Chile ====
{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} owns ''{{Lang|es|Telefónica}} Chile'', formerly CTC (Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, formerly known as Compañía de Teléfonos de Chile) which is the biggest fixed-line operator and internet service provider in the country. The {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Group has been in the country since 1989. The mobile business is run by {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Móviles through a local subsidiary. On 26 October 2009, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Chile changed its name to ''Movistar'', including cellphone, landline, satellite TV, and internet.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.movistar.cl/web/movistar/recurso_no_encontrado |title=Movistar.cl |publisher=Movistar.cl |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref>

==== Colombia ====
On 18 April 2006, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}}'s president Cesar Alierta signed an agreement with the Colombian government to buy 50% and one share of the state-owned communications company, Colombia Telecomunicaciones (TELECOM).<ref>{{cite web |author=12 Octubre 2013. 18:01 |url=https://ellibrepensador.com/cesar-alierta-telefonica-es-el-aliado-ideal-para-el-nuevo-mundo-digital/ |title=César Alierta: Telefónica es el aliado "ideal" |publisher=El Librepensador |access-date=2013-10-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014064913/http://www.ellibrepensador.com/2010/04/08/cesar-alierta-telefonica-es-el-aliado-ideal-para-el-nuevo-mundo-digital/ |archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref> With this sale, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} became the largest Colombian land-line operator, and also gained an important presence in the local, long-distance and broadband market. The mobile business is run by {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Móviles through the brand [[Movistar]]. It is unknown what will happen with their previous established subsidiary {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Empresas, being most probable a merger with TELECOM. The company is now known as {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} - Telecom.

==== Costa Rica ====
{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} signed a contract for 15 years (extendable for 10 additional years) on 12 May 2011 with the government of [[Costa Rica]]. It started operations in 2011 under its Movistar branding.

==== Dominican Republic ====
In 2000, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} acquired a 26.5% stake in [[Tricom, S.A|Tricom]] when it purchased part of the shares [[Motorola]] had obtained in 1993.<ref>DR1. 12 October 2000. [https://dr1.com/news/2007/07/03/category-1-for-dominican-aviation/ Tricom sells 26.5% of its shares to {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} de España]</ref>

==== Ecuador ====
After acquiring 100% of OTECEL S.A. (Bellsouth), {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Móviles Ecuador started its operations on 14 October 2004 as Movistar. It is one of only three mobile operators in Ecuador. {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} in Ecuador has started offering 3G service from the second half of 2009.

==== Panama ====
{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} started its operations in Panama in 2004 as {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} acquired 100% of Bellsouth Panama. Since then, it has operated using the name Movistar for mobile services. It migrated from CDMA technology used by Bellsouth to [[GSM]] 850. It also offers 3G using [[UMTS]] 850 and UMTS 1900. In 2015, it launched LTE with coverage expanding in Panama City, Arraijan, Chorrera up to Buenaventura Beach.

==== Puerto Rico ====
{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} in the U.S. <!--state-->territory of Puerto Rico has presence through {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Empresas, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Larga Distancia – TLD, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} International Wholesale Services – TIWS (formerly Emergia) and Atento. {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Moviles, through its Movistar brand, had presence in Puerto Rico until mid-2007 but they sold the Puerto Rico network to a private equity group who renamed it [[Open Mobile]].

==== Venezuela ====
In late 2004, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} took over the operations of Telcel Bellsouth in Venezuela, the first and largest mobile operator in the South American country at the time. After re-branding as Movistar, its [[CDMA2000]] EvDO was progressively replaced by a [[GSM]] [[UMTS]] 3G network. {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} is currently rolling out 4G [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] in the country.

==== United States ====
Based in [[Miami, Florida]], {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} USA, Inc. provides services to U.S.-based multinational companies that have operations in Latin America and Europe. {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} USA also operates the KeyCenter, a data center in Miami built to withstand category 5 hurricanes,<ref>{{cite web|title=Telefónica Global Solutions KeyCenter™ in Miami data center brochure|url=http://www.us.telefonica.com/ProductsAndServices/Pages/Telefonica%20KeyCenter%20in%20Miami%20-%20Brochure.pdf|publisher={{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Global Solutions|access-date=4 October 2014|page=4|quote=KeyCenter™ is a purpose built 173,500 sqft mission critical facility capable to withstand CAT5 Hurricanes.}}</ref> from where the company supports Business Continuity and IT services for Enterprise customers in South Florida.

=== Asia ===
==== China ====
In 2009, [[China Unicom]] agreed to a $1 billion cross-holding with {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}}.<ref>[http://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/en/press/press_release/news.html?id=459 China Unicom and {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Enter into a Broad Strategic Alliance and a Mutual Investment Agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002453/http://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/en/press/press_release/news.html?id=459 |date=4 March 2016 }}. 7 September 2009.</ref> In January 2011, the two partners agreed to a further $500 million tie-up in each other. Following completion in late 2011, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} will hold a 9.7% stake in China Unicom, and China Unicom will own 1.4% of the Spanish firm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12261887|title=Telefónica and China Unicom strengthen ties|work=BBC News|date= 23 January 2011|access-date= 23 January 2011}}</ref>

In 2018, China Unicom and {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} establish a new partnership to combine their services and networks in the internet of things, so as to enable their clients to deploy IoT products and services in China, Europe and Latin America with a single global IoT SIM card.<ref>[https://www.capacitymedia.com/article/29ot9zs8rfpxjdjmukidc/news/china-unicom-and-telefonica-create-iot-network-union China Unicom and {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} create IoT network union]. 5 March 2018 (retrieved on 6 March 2018)</ref>

== Former operations ==
=== Czech Republic ===
{{Main|O2 Czech Republic}}
In 2005, {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} bought ''Český Telecom'' (Czech Telecom), the former state-owned Czech phone operator which still dominates the Czech fixed-line market. As part of this deal {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} also gained its 100% subsidiary [[Eurotel]], one of three mobile phone operators in the Czech Republic. Starting 1 July 2006, both companies were merged into one legal entity and renamed ''{{Lang|es|Telefónica}} O2 Czech Republic''. In 2011, the company was renamed ''{{Lang|es|Telefónica}} Czech Republic'' and in 2013, it was announced that {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} would sell its stake in the company to [[PPF (company)|PPF]]. Under the terms of the sale, the company was allowed to continue to trade under the O2 brand for a maximum of four years.<ref name=cr>{{cite web |url=http://www.telefonica.cz/en/press-releases/328719-Telefonica_Agress_the_Sale_of_Telefonica_Czech_Republic_to_PPF_for_2_467_mln_euros.html |title=Telefónica Agrees the Sale of Telefónica Czech Republic to PPF for 2,467 mln euros |publisher=Telefónica Czech Republic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220080854/http://www.telefonica.cz/en/press-releases/328719-Telefonica_Agress_the_Sale_of_Telefonica_Czech_Republic_to_PPF_for_2_467_mln_euros.html |archive-date=20 February 2014 }}</ref> In August 2017, the brand license agreement was extended to 2022, with a 5-year extension to 2027 available.<ref>[https://www.o2.cz/file_conver/551515/O2_Czech_Republic_Investor_presentation_August_2017.pdf General Presentation August 2017]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085942/https://www.o2.cz/file_conver/551515/O2_Czech_Republic_Investor_presentation_August_2017.pdf|date=2018-11-16}}</ref>

=== Slovakia ===
{{Main|O2 Slovakia}}
During 2006, Telefónica won the [[Call for bids|tender]] to become the third [[mobile phone operator]] in [[Slovakia]], under the O2 brand. It began providing services on 2 February 2007 under the name [[Telefónica Slovakia|Telefónica O2 Slovakia, s.r.o.]] It initially launched providing only a [[Prepaid mobile phone|prepaid]] service but in mid-2007 began to sell contract phones. The company was sold along with Telefónica Czech Republic to PPF.<ref name="cr"/>

=== Ireland ===
{{Main|O2 (Ireland)}}
O2 in Ireland was purchased by Telefónica as part of its acquisition of O2 plc in the UK in 2005. Telefónica Ireland has become the second largest mobile phone operator in Ireland, operating a GSM/EDGE and high-speed HSPA+ wireless broadband network to residential and business customers through its "O2" brand. Telefónica Ireland also provide fixed broadband to business customers.

It was announced on 24 June 2013 that Telefónica had agreed to sell its O2 Ireland mobile business for at least €780 million ($1 billion) in cash to [[Hutchison Whampoa]]'s subsidiary [[Hutchison 3G#Ireland|3]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-telfonica-ireland-idUKBRE95N05N20130624 |title=Telefonica sells O2 Ireland to Hutchison's 3 for $1 billion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505014750/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-telfonica-ireland-idUKBRE95N05N20130624 |archive-date=2016-05-05 |publisher=Reuters |date=24 June 2013}}</ref> O2 was merged into Hutchison Whampoa's subsidiary [[Three Ireland]] in March 2015.

=== Italy ===
{{Main|Telecom Italia}}
Telefónica currently owns 46% of Telco, the holding company that controls 22% of [[Telecom Italia]], Italy's former government–owned telephone company. In late 2003, Telefónica announced its intention to acquire the entirety of Telco by January 2014, potentially becoming Telecom Italia's largest shareholder. The plan, was however challenged by the Brazilian competition authority since Telefónica and Telecom Italia, with [[Vivo (telecommunications)|Vivo]] and [[TIM Brasil]] respectively, are the two largest telephone companies competing in Brazil. Subsequently, Telefónica confirmed in September 2014 that it intended to sell its shares in Telecom Italia following the purchase of [[Global Village Telecom]] (GVT) in Brazil from [[Vivendi]].<ref>{{cite news |last=González |first=Andrés |date=1 September 2014 |title=Telefonica to exit Telecom Italia after Brazil deal |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-telefonica-m-a-telecom-ita-idUKKBN0GW23D20140901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305143008/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-telefonica-m-a-telecom-ita-idUKKBN0GW23D20140901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2016 |work=Reuters |access-date=8 December 2014}}</ref> Telefónica sold its shares in the business to Vivendi as part of the sale of GVT in June 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Leary|first1=Elisabeth|title=Telefonica sells Telecom Italia stake to Vivendi, makes 380 mln euro gain|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/telecomitalia-telefonica-vivendi-idUSS8N0Y500C20150624|access-date=15 November 2016|work=Reuters|date=24 June 2015}}</ref>

=== Central and South America ===
After acquiring 100% of Paysandú S.A., Telefónica started its operations in Guatemala 1998 as Telefónica Movistar and just Telefónica for landlines. In 2004, acquired 100% of BellSouth Guatemala, relaunching mobile operations as [[Movistar]] in 2005, with mobile services based on CDMA technology, in 2004 as Telefónica Movistar launch national service with GSM/GPRS technology, and CDMA 1x EV-DO for data. Telefónica Móviles Guatemala (renamed in 2005) offered services on [[UMTS]]/[[High Speed Packet Access|HSPA]] starting in June 2009, and it was the last operator to launch commercial services on this technology, with coverage in all major cities in Guatemala.

On 24 January 2019, [[América Móvil]] announced the that it would acquire both the Guatemalan and El Salvadoran operations of Telefónica for US$333 million and $315 million, respectively. The transaction would also acquire all Pay TV operations. The sale was eventually approved in Guatemala and would later become intergraded into [[Claro (company)|Claro]]. However, the transaction for the El Salvadoran operations to be sold to América Móvil were scrapped due to regulatory hurdles.<ref>{{cite news|title=America Movil says scraps deal to purchase Telefonica's El Salvador unit|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-america-movil-telefonica-el-salvador/america-movil-says-scraps-deal-to-purchase-telefonicas-el-salvador-unit-idUSKBN25U31J|website=[[Reuters]]|date=September 3, 2020|access-date=January 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Claro "compró" a Movistar en dos paíseslatinoamericanos|url=https://ohmygeek.net/2019/01/24/claro-movistar-guatemala-el-salvador/|website=Oh My Geek|date=January 24, 2021|language=spanish}}</ref>

In February 2019, [[Millicom]] announced the purchase of the Panamanian, Costa Rican and Nicaraguan operations of Telefónica for US$1,650 Million, with plans to phase out the Movistar brand from those markets within a year after purchase. The transaction was completed in August the same year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prensa.com/economia/Millicom-completo-adquisicion-Telefonica-Panama_0_5384461504.html | title=Millicom anuncia que completó adquisición de Telefónica en Panamá &#124; la Prensa Panamá | date=29 August 2019 }}</ref> Telefónica had purchased the Panamanian, Ecuadorian and Guatemalan operations of [[BellSouth]] in 2004 for US$1665 Million, followed by a rebranding to Movistar in 2005. The purchase was intended to help Telefónica focus on its largest markets, alleviating its debt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.midiario.com/panama/ciencia-y-tecnologia/movistar-se-marcha-de-panama-tigo-ahora-compro-la-telefonia-celular/|title = Movistar se marcha de Panamá; Tigo ahora compró la telefonía celular|date = 21 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tigo prepara red móvil de Panamá para la llegada de la tecnología 5G - Economía - title.suffix.trans|url=https://www.laestrella.com.pa/amp/economia/200506/tigo-prepara-red-movil-panama-llegada-tecnologia-5g|access-date=2022-01-12|website=www.laestrella.com.pa|archive-date=16 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616071306/https://www.laestrella.com.pa/amp/economia/200506/tigo-prepara-red-movil-panama-llegada-tecnologia-5g|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/BellSouth-cambia-marca-Movistar_0_1441355947.html|title = BellSouth cambia su marca a Movistar &#124; la Prensa Panamá|date = 6 April 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prensa.com/impresa/Telefonica-adquiere-Bellsouth-Panama_0_1311618973.html|title = Telefónica adquiere Bellsouth Panamá &#124; la Prensa Panamá|date = 15 October 2004}}</ref> 

==== Colombia ====
In March 2025, Telefónica sold its majority stake in Colombian telecom Coltel to Millicom.<ref name=Capacity/>

==== Uruguay ====
In May 2025, Millicom also acquired Telefónica's mobile business in [[Uruguay]] for $440 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Ian |last2=Abarinova |first2=Masha |date=2025-08-04 |title=Telecom and tech M&A tracker |url=https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/fierce-networks-2025-telecom-and-tech-ma-tracker |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.fierce-network.com}}</ref><ref name=Capacity>{{Cite web |last=Sensi |first=Jasdip |date=2025-05-22 |title=4 key Telefónica divestments that are reshaping its LATAM strategy |url=https://www.capacitymedia.com/article/telefonica-divestment-latam |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Capacity Media}}</ref>

==== Argentina ====
{{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} owned '''{{Lang|es|Telefónica de Argentina}}''', the largest fixed-line operator in Argentina during 1990-2025,<ref name=Capacity/> providing broadband, local and long-distance telephone services in the southern part of the country, as well as the Greater Buenos Aires area. The mobile business was then operated by {{Lang|es|Telefónica|italic=no}} Móviles through [[Movistar]], a local subsidiary. In January 2025 Telefónica had hired investment bank [[JPMorgan Chase|JPMorgan]] to evaluate a possible sale of its Argentina holdings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Telefonica hires JPMorgan to sell Argentina business, Expansion reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/telefonica-hires-jpmorgan-sell-argentina-business-expansion-reports-2025-01-29/}}</ref> The operation was sold to [[Telecom Argentina]] for $US1.5 billion in 2025.<ref name=Capacity/>

==== Peru ====
Subsidiary '''{{Lang|es|Telefónica del Peru|italic=no}}''' was the largest telecom provider in Peru<ref name=Capacity/> from 1994, providing local, long-distance, and broadband services nationwide. Its mobile telephone business operated under the Movistar brand, from January 2011 on, and competed with major provider Claro. Its main offices were located in [[Santa Beatriz]].{{cn|date=August 2025}} The company filed for bankruptcy protection for its Peruvian business, then agreed to sell the unit, in February 2025, to domestic telecom Integra Tec International, for €900k (US$1.02 million).<ref name=Capacity/>

==== Ecuador ====
Telefónica sold Ecuador business to [[Millicom]] for $380m.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 14, 2025 |title=Telefonica sell Ecuador business, |url=https://www.reuters.com/en/spains-telefonica-sells-its-ecuador-unit-380-million-2025-06-14/}}</ref>

== Sponsorship ==
[[File:Telefonica Tower.jpg|thumb|Telefónica Tower in [[Barcelona]]]]

=== Cycling ===
Since 2011, they are a sponsor of the Spanish [[UCI ProTour]] cycling team known as [[Movistar Team (men's team)|Movistar Team]].

=== Football ===
In football, Teléfonica is an official sponsor for several national teams such as [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] ([[Movistar+]]) in Europe, and [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] ([[Vivo (telecommunications)|vivo]]), Mexico, Colombia, Peru, or Venezuela in the Americas.

=== Rugby ===
O2 are the main sponsors of the [[England national rugby union team|England national rugby team]].

=== Motor sports ===
Teléfonica, through [[Movistar]], was the title sponsor of [[Yamaha Motor Racing]] from 2014 to 2018, a motorcycle racing team in [[MotoGP]]. It was also the title sponsor of Suzuki's factory team from 2000 to 2002 [[Pons Racing|Sito Pons' Honda team]] from 1997 to 1999 and [[Gresini Racing|Fausto Gresini's Honda team]] from 2003 to 2005.

Within [[Formula One]], Telefónica sponsored the [[Minardi|Minardi F1 Team]] in 1999 and 2000, including title sponsorship in 2000, as well a major sponsor of the [[Renault in Formula One|Renault F1 Team]] from 2004 to 2006 until [[Fernando Alonso]]'s departure to [[McLaren]] in 2007, and were title sponsors of the [[Spanish Grand Prix]] from 2006 to 2010. Through its acquisition of [[Telefónica Europe|O<sub>2</sub>]], Telefónica also indirectly sponsored the [[BMW in Formula One|BMW Sauber F1 Team]].

In the [[World Rally Championship]], Telefónica sponsored the [[Cupra Racing|SEAT Sport WRC Team]] between 1998 and 2000, under both Movistar and Telefónica Movistar. Telefónica sponsored the [[Ford Focus RS WRC|Ford WRC Team]] in seasons 2000–2002 when Spanish rally driver [[Carlos Sainz Sr.|Carlos Sainz]] drove for the team, and when Sainz moved to the [[Citroën World Rally Team|Citroën WRC Team]] for 2003, Telefónica followed. The sponsorship was not continued into 2004, despite Sainz staying with the team.

In the [[2000 CART season]], [[PPI Motorsports]] raced the #96 Telefónica Toyota-Reynard, driven by Spanish rookie [[Oriol Servià]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/ppi-motorsports-2000-press-kit | title=PPI Motorsports 2000 Press Kit | year=2000 }}</ref> Oriol finished 15th in the standings with a best result of 3rd, and failed to win Rookie of the Year. Teammate [[Cristiano da Matta|da Matta]] in the #97 [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]] Toyota-Reynard performed better with 10th and 1 win, however the team retired from open-wheel racing at the end of the season, and the sponsorship ended.

=== Sailing ===
Movistar- and Telefónica-sponsored teams contested the round-the-world [[Volvo Ocean Race]] in the [[2005–06 Volvo Ocean Race|2005–06]], [[2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race|2008–09]], and [[2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race|2011–12]] events.

=== eSports ===
Telefónica sponsors, through its Movistar brand, the "Movistar Riders" [[Esports|eSports]] team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.movistarriders.gg/|title=Movistar Riders - eSports - Movistar Riders es uno de los principales clubes de eSports de Europa y el único con un centro de alto rendimiento para jugadores profesionales.|website=Movistar Riders - eSports|language=es|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

== Investments and collaborations ==
Telefónica is a supporter of the [[Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV]] (HbbTV) initiative that is promoting and establishing an open European standard for hybrid set-top boxes for the reception of broadcast TV and broadband multimedia applications with a single user interface, and has run pilot HbbTV services in Spain.<ref>David Del Valle. [https://advanced-television.com/2011/11/25/spain-selects-hbbtv-standard/ "Spain selects HbbTV standard"]. ''Advanced Television'' 25 November 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2012</ref>

Telefónica's [[Wayra]] subsidiary first launched in Latin America and Spain in 2011 to provide seed investment and mentoring to new companies. Since its inception, Wayra has backed over 300 companies including Trustev, Venddo, Cloudwear<ref>[http://wayra.org/en/startup Wayra Funding List], Retrieved 23 April 2014</ref> and NFWare.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.telefonica.de/2015/11/seed-finanzierung-fuer-wayra-startup-gleich-drei-investoren-fuer-nfware|title=Seed Finanzierung für Wayra Startup}}</ref>

As of 1 December 2014, the [[Firefox]] web browser includes the ''[[Firefox Hello]]'' [[WebRTC]] feature,<ref name="Firefox Notes 2014-12-01">{{cite web|url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/34.0/releasenotes/|title=Firefox – Notes (34.0) — Mozilla|date=1 December 2014|publisher=[[Mozilla Corporation]]|access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> that allows real-time voice and video [[online chat]]s.<ref name="Firefox Hello">{{cite web|url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/hello/|title=Firefox Hello – Free, easy video conversations – Mozilla|year=2015|publisher=[[Mozilla Corporation]]|access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> ''Firefox Hello'' is powered by{{clarify|date=March 2015}} Telefónica<ref name="VentureBeat 2014-10-16">{{cite news|last=Protalinski|first=Emil|date=16 October 2014|title=Firefox 34 beta arrives with 'Firefox Hello' calling by Telefonica, Chromecast tab mirroring from Android|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/10/16/firefox-34-beta-arrives-with-firefox-hello-calling-by-telefonica-chromecast-tab-mirroring-from-android/|newspaper=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> and was also co-developed by Telefónica.<ref name="PC Magazine 2015-01-14">{{cite news|last=Moscaritolo|first=Angela|date=14 January 2015|title=Firefox 35 Adds 'Hello' Video Chat Service|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475133,00.asp|newspaper=[[PC Magazine]]|access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref>

In September 2017, Nokia and Telefónica signed an agreement in order to evaluate technologies enabling an efficient network evolution to 5G in line with Telefónica's business objectives.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telecomtv.com/content/5g/telef-nica-edges-closer-to-5g-with-trials-of-nokias-4-9g-technology-15941/|title=Telefónica edges closer to 5G with trials of Nokia's "4.9G" technology|last=Daniels|first=Guy|date=2017-09-13|work=TelecomTV|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goodnewsfinland.com/nokia-telefonica-put-techheads-together/|title=Nokia and Telefónica put techheads together|date=2017-09-14|work=Good News from Finland|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Chairpersons ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Chairperson
|-
| 1924-1945
| [[Estanislao de Urquijo y Ussía]]
|-
| 1945-1964
| [[José Navarro-Reverter Gomis]]
|-
| 1964-1973
| [[Antonio Barrera de Irimo]]
|-
| 1973-1976
| [[José Antonio González-Bueno]]
|-
| 1976-1980
| [[Tomás Allende y García-Baxter]]
|-
| 1980-1982
| [[Salvador Sánchez-Terán]]
|-
| 1982-1989
| [[Luis Solana]]
|-
| 1989-1996
| [[Cándido Velázquez-Gaztelu]]
|-
| 1996-2000
| [[Juan Villalonga]]
|-
| 2000-2016
| [[César Alierta]]
|-
| 2016-2025
| [[José María Álvarez-Pallete]]
|-
| 2025-act.
| [[Marc Murtra]]
|}

== Monopoly ==
{{Update section|date=June 2016}}
Telefónica has received several fines due to convictions over [[unfair competition]], abuse of its position as dominant provider, and [[Competition law|antitrust violations]] through the Commission of Telecommunications, [[European Commission]], and Spanish tribunals. These fines include:

* 900,000 euro fine, Spanish tribunals<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hemeroteca.internautas.org/html/3969.html |title=Confirman la multa de 900.000 euros a Telefónica por una denuncia de la Asociación de Internautas |access-date=18 February 2008 |language=es}}</ref>
* 18 million euro fine, Spanish Telecommunication Market commission, 57 million in 2004 for unfair competition<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.elmundo.es/mundodinero/2004/04/06/Noti20040406123833.html |title=Competencia multa a Telefónica con 57 millones por abuso de posición dominante - elmundo.es economía |access-date=18 February 2008 |language=es}}</ref>
* 151.9 million euro by European Commission for abusing its dominant position<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.elmundo.es/mundodinero/2007/07/04/economia/1183541551.html?a=f8719527e8e83fd51ccda07c9bd3344a&t=1183547qwfrtdsfasASFYTardwqyryfwef6wqre6fqewvg5rfwyqfewq5e4rqwevtyyeqrw5etfwqgtfrqwefqwevhg5wqetgurwqeqwenbhewqt6qh171 |title=Bruselas multa a Telefónica con 151,8 millones de euros por impedir la competencia en ADSL | work=elmundo.es |access-date=18 February 2008 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=asY.PoddtAnk&refer=home |title=Telefónica Profit Doubles; Annual Forecasts Raised (Update5) |access-date=18 February 2008 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=30 July 2007}}</ref>

As of 2008, Telefónica had in court two more fines, with a value of 793 million euros.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adsl4ever.com/noticias/277/ |title=Jazztel presenta dos nuevas demandas contra Telefónica por 793 millones |access-date=18 February 2008 |work=ADSL 4 EVER.COM |language=es}}</ref>

On 5 July 2007, the European Commission ordered Telefónica to pay a record antitrust fine of almost €152 million for activities in the Spanish broadband market which, according to European Union competition commissioner [[Neelie Kroes]], "harmed Spanish [[consumer]]s, Spanish [[business]]es and the Spanish [[economy]] as a whole, and by extension Europe's economy."

Several consumer groups in Spain have reported unnecessary delays in cancelling Telefónica's ADSL service. These consumer groups also claim that services continue to be billed after being cancelled and that service cancellation requests are ignored.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ciao.es/Telefonica_ADSL__Opinion_1024004 |title=Telefónica ADSL - Opinión - Un timo, una estafa, un robo, una mentira |publisher=Ciao.es |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref> This has led Spanish people to organize themselves in consumer groups such as the  "Asociación de Internautas" and user communities like "Bandaancha" in order to defend themselves from Telefónica's abuses and to give support and help to each other in their various complaints about Telefónica's unfair practices.

The practices are claimed to include the complex process involved in cancelling lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bandaancha.eu/foros/baja-terra-telefonica-burofax-completo-303792 |title=Baja en Terra y Telefónica con Burofax completo (con plantilla) - Telefónica - Foros |date=27 September 2004 |publisher=BandaAncha.st |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref> These line cancellation procedures are justified by Telefónica as a way of "defending customers against hoaxes." Furthermore, in areas where ADSL lines are scarce, there are also reports of customers who claim to have had their service cancelled or inexplicably transferred to another customer although they have paid their bills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peritoeninformatica.pro/blog/telefonica-me-ha-dado-de-baja-el-adsl-contra-mi-voluntad/ |title=Gestionando el conocimiento |date=31 July 2007 |publisher=Orcero.org |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref> This practice is considered by some to be used by Telefónica in certain areas of Spain where there are few broadband connections.

== Positions on network neutrality ==
{{Main|Network neutrality}}

In February 2010, Telefónica [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] [[César Alierta|Cesar Alierta]] expressed in a meeting at [[Bilbao]], [[Spain]] that his company intends to charge [[Google]] and other [[List of search engines|search engines]] for the use of their network.  Alierta<ref>{{cite web|author=ABC / madrid |url=https://www.abc.es/tecnologia/cesar-alierta-entre-cinco-201010040000_noticia.html |title=César Alierta, entre los cinco ejecutivos más influyentes del mundo |date=2010-10-04 |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref> complained that such search engines were benefiting from the platform without contributing to the company's expenses and that such a trend will change in the near future. Additionally, he said that Telefónica will seek to push its own content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eitb.com/news/technology/detail/350113/spanish-telefonica-to-charge-google-yahoo-bing/ |title=Telefónica's CEO to charge Google |publisher=Eitb.com |access-date=2013-10-12}}</ref>

== Innovation ==
In 2017, Telefónica announced the launch of OnLife Networks, intended to infuse innovation into the company.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-04|title=Telefónica 'gets its hands dirty' with new OnLife Network|url=https://inform.tmforum.org/news/2017/05/telefonica-gets-hands-dirty-new-platform-architecture/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=TM Forum Inform|language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Companies}}
* [[List of mobile network operators]]
* [[List of telecommunications companies]]
* [[List of telecommunications regulatory bodies]]
* [[Movistar]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Telefónica}}
* {{Official website}}

{{IBEX-35 companies}}
{{Major telecommunications companies}}
{{Open Handset Alliance Members}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Telefonica}}
[[Category:Telefónica| ]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1924]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies based in Madrid]]
[[Category:Companies listed on B3 (stock exchange)]]
[[Category:Spanish brands]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Spain]]
[[Category:Conglomerate companies of Spain]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Spain]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:IBEX 35]]
[[Category:Tier 1 networks]]