All India articles – Page 6
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Premium
Vi overhauls national backbone
New 300G/400G network being launched, with assistance from Ciena.
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Operations
Vi selling majority stake to Indian government in bid to stay afloat
The state is set to receive a 35.8% stake in Vodafone Idea. Share prices drop around 20% in the wake of the news. Stake will be exchanged for easing of the struggling JV’s considerable debt. Government “do not want to run company”, insists Vi CEO
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Operations
BT’s Mehta keen on ‘massive’ Indian expansion
Chief Digital and Innovation Officer wants to make “full use” of digital skills in the country. Outlines “very, very different” challenges compared to UK marketplace. Wider digital transformation “almost like creating a new BT”.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone close to settling €2.4bn tax dispute with India
Group offers New Delhi a deal after retrospective tax legislation scrapped. Dispute harks back to Vodafone acquisition of Hutchison Essar in 2007. Indian stand-off has long cast a shadow over Group finances, despite recent legal victories.
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Premium
Vi goes 5G network slicing with Nokia
Trial in Gandhinagar purportedly enables high-resolution VR content. TRAI sets deadlines for consultation process with “stakeholders” on auction rules for delayed 5G spectrum auction.
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Premium
India 5G auction delayed as Vi showcases prospects
5G-friendly spectrum auction pushed back amid pricing and structure consultations. Vi CEO Takkar outlines ambition to be Digital India frontrunner as government lays out digitalisation ambition. Several pilot projects showcased with partners including Athonet, L&T, and local startups. Ericsson picks up P1; Nokia trailing.
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M&A
Reliance denies interest in acquiring BT stake
BT share price jumps on report that Indian conglomerate eyeing a move for UK incumbent. Reliance quick to dismiss the article as “completely speculative and baseless”, but City still excited.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Consumer: Plusnet issues persist
More cricket on the schedule; Smart Benefits portfolio bolstered; and Plusnet email issues persist.
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Venturing & Investments
Vi can live long and prosper, insists CEO
Takkar welcomes government four-year moratorium on AGR dues and spectrum fees. Confident that relief package paves way for private investment. Vodafone rules out (again) cash injection into JV. Floor pricing issue still to be resolved.
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M&A
Deutsche Telekom sees Dutch exit door loosen — report
India’s Reliance Industries reportedly set to make €4.8bn non-binding offer for T-Mobile Netherlands. Several top foreign banks apparently formed syndicate to fund the takeover. Akash Ambani said to be personally managing the T-Mobile transaction.
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Strategy & Change
BT reviewing Indian tech ops, may insource from partners
Taking a relook at level of work outsourced to third-party providers such as Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahindra. Insourcing would “strengthen” role of BT’s Bangalore-based services operation, increase self-reliance.
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Financial & Performance
Vi AGR appeal torpedoed; Birla seeks to jump ship
Vi challenges Supreme Court decision to stick with DoT’s AGR liability calculation. Vodafone’s junior partner Kumar Mangalam Birla resigns as Vi Chairman shortly after India’s top court sides with DoT. Vi CEO Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone, ABG keep funding taps closed for beleaguered Indian JV
Vi shareholders wash their hands of JV’s plight. Insist that private investment is the only way for Vi to remain going concern. Vi CEO Ravinder Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: ACCC says ‘I told you so’
ACCC says ‘I told you so’ over TPG merger’s impact on competition.
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Premium
Elsewhere in BT Enterprise: new multichannel campaign for SMEs
All business at Enterprise with the launch of a new multichannel campaign; Street Hubs get an upgrade; and local authorities the target for future partnerships.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates and JVs: Vi and Vantage on 5G
Vi and Vantage Towers Greece get involved in 5G trials.
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Operations
Vodafone banks on the Nile for flow of efficiencies
Group Annual Report sheds light on shared services transformation under the _VOIS division. Egypt emerges as the Group’s largest territory by headcount. CFO Della Valle points to _VOIS “role efficiencies” as it de-siloes, standardises, and harmonises operations.
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Venturing & Investments
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: TPG set for FWA launch; Vi shifting away from Huawei
TPG set for FWA launch; Vi transitioning away from Huawei; INWIT agrees to equip Milan metro with 5G-friendly DAS technology.
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Premium
Vi keeps tight rein on spectrum spending
As expected, Indian JV is by far the lowest spender in India’s recent multi-band spectrum auction. All three operators shun 5G-friendly 700MHz spectrum because of high reserve price.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: former execs take vendor CxO spots
Recent Vodafone alumni changes include a Syniverse CEO; Avanti CTO; and LogMeIn CISO. Cloud & Hosting guru Colin Barrett swaps to IoT in Ireland. Vodafone Albania commercial promotions. More Vi senior leadership changes: CFO out; regional CTO in.