Vodafonewatch News – Page 53
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Premium
Vodafone breaks ground at Málaga R&D hub
European research centre launched in Spain, with a second set for Germany later in 2022. Open RAN architecture development the focus initially, with other emerging and established technologies next in incremental expansion. Local hubs to provide services for “global” enterprise and public sector customers.
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Premium
European fragmentation takes centre stage at MWC
Vodafone execs Nick Read and Joakim Reiter take part in MWC 2022 keynotes to deliver consistent messages on “life or death” matter of digital transformation. Pair demands government collaboration once again. Cites Spain’s digitalisation approach as a “blueprint” for countries throughout Europe.
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Public Affairs
Vodafone sends Instant Networks to Ukraine border
Vodafone Foundation starts setting up portable base stations to support refugees in Hungary and donates humanitarian aid. OpCos offer free calls and texts to Ukraine and free roaming for customers remaining in Ukraine. Partner Markets span both sides of the conflict.
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Partnerships & Alliances
E.ON taps Vodafone for IoT-backed water meters
Vodafone Germany set to deploy 1,000 “intelligent” meters to detect pipe damage and conserve resources. Plug and play technology aims to hasten deployment and meet anticipated future demand.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Safaricom signs up VMware as Ethiopian cloud partner
New OpCo to use vendor’s Telco Cloud Platform to underpin network and IT functions as it sets up greenfield operation.
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M&A
INWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
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M&A
Vodafone explores sale of Indus Towers stake
Group plans to use some of the proceeds to take part in Vi fundraising exercise. Bharti Airtel could buy another 4.7% stake in Indus Towers. Indus security arrangements have been modified, but TowerCo still protected from Vi weakness. In Europe, Vodafone could lose Telecom Italia as partner in ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Safaricom taps Huawei and Nokia in Ethiopia
OpCo looks set to stick with existing partners for new network. Launch appears on track as STE builds up a head of steam.
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Partnerships & Alliances
TPG Telecom agrees regional RAN share with Telstra
Ten-year Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) network-sharing agreement signed off. TPG will gain access to 3,700 Telstra cell sites within a “defined coverage zone” across regional and “urban fringe” areas in Australia. Option to extend network-sharing deal by up to ten years. TPG intends to decommission 725 mobile sites within ...
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Network & Infrastructure
“They shut down schools and hospitals”: Vodafone Portugal laments hackers
Bullish open letter says the operator is a “force they will never be able to erase”. Mário Vaz, Vodafone Portugal CEO, says recovering from “terrorist” incident will be a “lengthy” job.
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Public Affairs
Telco inflation playbook: raise prices, cut costs, embrace digitalisation
Tough times ahead for telco customers, employees, and suppliers, as inflation drives price hikes, capex and opex control, and ongoing workforce reductions. Inflation-linked contracts to boost service revenue and outpace rising costs. Digital transformation efforts seen as key to cost savings.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone tests Juniper’s RIC in open RAN trial
Operator puts RAN Intelligent Controller through its paces in multivendor trial with Juniper Networks and Parallel Wireless.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: eyes on public sector in enterprise swaps
New enterprise segment leads in Italy, Spain, the UK, and others, with public sector account growth among the primary targets. Scott Petty adds Vodafone weight to TM Forum initiative. Governance and regulatory spots filled across the operator’s footprint. Group loses quintet of IoT developers to rival BT as health-tech ...
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Public Affairs
EU operator heavyweights want media players to pay their way
Top brass at Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone get shirty (again) over network investment “burden”. Sign off on open letter accusing video streaming, gaming, and social media groups of ‘piggybacking’ unfairly. Urgently call on European legislators to introduce rules for a “more proportionate” way of divvying up ...
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Public Affairs
VodafoneZiggo suspends employee over transgressive behaviour
Dutch JV “shocked” by revelations. Investigation launched amid multiple reports of unacceptable behaviour.
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Network & Infrastructure
DT lays siege to Vodafone Germany’s cable MOB redoubt
Vodafone just can’t catch a break, with even German stronghold tormented by reinvigorated DT in aggressive housing association fibre overbuild play. Double whammy as new laws tear open cushy supply agreements. Vodafone banks on client ennui to minimise imminent damage. DT dismissive, even derisive, of Vodafone’s defence.
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Operations
Little Cab arrives in Ethiopia
Safaricom-backed ride-hailing app attempting to rival Uber in Ethiopian capital. Expansion into the country has been delayed by COVID-19.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Portugal suffers “terrorist” cyberattack
Mário Vaz, Vodafone Portugal CEO, says recovering from “terrorist” incident will be a “lengthy” job. Data, SMS, voice, and TV services impacted, with emergency services forced onto contingency connectivity plans.
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Public Affairs
M-PESA cleared for Ethiopian launch
State Minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance anticipates wider Safaricom launch “sometime in April”. M-PESA app will be introduced to a new market of 116 million people. Question marks remain regarding third telecoms licence in the country.
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M&A
Iliad makes move on Vodafone Italy
France-based Iliad Group said to have tabled an offer to Vodafone board last week. Vodafone share price gets short-lived bounce. Read’s self-styled “proactive” approach to M&A under the spotlight (again).