Vodafonewatch News – Page 54
-
Strategy & Change
DT, Vodafone climate plans get mixed reviews
Industry analysis gives DT and Vodafone good marks for “deep decarbonisation” plans, especially when stacked up against some of the world’s largest companies. Praised for headline pledges and transparent emissions reporting, but require work to improve their chances of reaching those commitments. Renewable energy sourcing and indirect, Scope 3 ...
-
People
Vodacom payment specialist XLink appoints MD
Majority-owned secure payments processor XLink Communications appoints Thanusha Govender with a ‘stay-the-course’ mandate. Former Absa strategy lead replaces stalwart Marnewick.
-
People
Ex-Vodafone exec to lead Etisalat International
Mikhail Gerchuk takes charge of Etisalat’s international division. Joins Hatem Dowidar, Etisalat Group CEO and fellow Vodafone alumnus.
-
Operations
INWIT targets faster growth with management reshuffle
New Technology and Operations department created, headed temporarily by CEO Giovani Ferigo. Ferigo will relinquish the role once a CTO is appointed, expected “shortly”. Senior tech executives Massimo Giuseppe Scapini and Elisa Patrizi pushed out.
-
Financial & Performance
Vodafone’s Q3 deciphered: glad-handing activists; German misfire; IoT, Africa fintech blossom
Management seeks to seize back agenda amid growing City pressure for urgency on asset sales. CEO Nick Read assures Group will be “proactive” in finding returns-focused deals. German user experience misstep takes gloss off solid set of numbers. Price rises planned across Europe, in response to rising costs.
-
Interview
OpenUK explores Gaia-X data model
Open technology advocacy group wants to keep UK engaged with Europe on developing federated data models.
-
Financial & Performance
Vantage tweaks schedule after ‘annoying’ builder delays
TowerCo’s build-to-suit programme hit by labour and material supply crunch. Management responds with move to simplify supply and logistics. Execs assure headline operational and financial goals remain in reach.
-
Premium
Elsewhere in Telefónica Group: Álvarez-Pallete’s “digital slavery” warning
Álvarez-Pallete issues stark warning over “digital slavery”; Group connects to Wi-Fi network.
-
Financial & Performance
Vodafone under pressure from activist investor to boost shareholder returns
Bloomberg reports Cevian Capital has built up stake in Vodafone. Unnamed sources say Swedish investment firm putting pressure on Read and management team to move more aggressively on M&A. Accuses Vodafone board of lacking experience and strategic know-how in telecoms. Vodafone share price gets bounce after news breaks of ...
-
Public Affairs
Safaricom staff caught in police “trap” after data fraud
Court hearing details how two Safaricom employees were caught attempting to sell subscriber data. Operator commits to fraud reduction initiatives.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vantage eyes €1bn EU fund for 5G roads and railways
TowerCo gets its motor running to head out on the 5G highway. Pursues EU-funded 5G Corridor projects. European Commission targets 5G coverage on all transport routes by 2025 and allocates €1bn for cross-border network projects.
-
Strategy & Change
Vodafone Germany strategic shift forces exec changes
Dimitrova handed Strategy & Transformation remit, with Velthuis brought in to lead Finance. Exiting CTO Mack will not be replaced as OpCo mirrors Group’s split-structure TechCo vision. CEO Ametsreiter seeks transformation focus with fresh-faced executive team.
-
Strategy & Change
Vodafone in the market for London real estate
Reports indicate desire for more office space in London alongside Paddington HQ. Growing software engineering team seemingly looking for desks, with Future Ready hybrid-working model rolling out in parallel.
-
Content & TV
VodafoneZiggo, KPN vie for F1 pole position
Vodafone JV wheels out four-month discount for Viaplay, a streaming platform with F1 broadcasting rights. Rival KPN lifts flag on free twelve-month deal to entice new customers. F1 and ‘Max Verstappen factor’ seen as big lure for Dutch pay-TV subscribers.
-
People
Colao in running to be Italy’s next PM
Former Vodafone CEO seen as potential replacement for Mario Draghi. Process to elect new Italian president reaches fourth round of voting.
-
Venturing & Investments
Safaricom energy ally Circle Gas lands big Japanese backer
Deal with conglomerate Marubeni Corporation comes with prepaid LPG startup planning to expand beyond Safaricom-supported deployment in Kenya and into new markets in Africa and Asia.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Submarine cable vulnerabilities surface
Malicious threats loom, but accidental damage more common. Russian aggression, underwater volcanoes, fishing and anchoring roil subsea cable networks. Difficult to prevent damage, resiliency is best protection.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Genesys partnered for speech-based AI bot
TPG ties with Genesys and Google Cloud to launch an “upgrade” to its Vodafone TOBi chatbot. NLP integration set to improve voice channel triaging, with sales role touted in a future deployment.
-
Financial & Performance
Vi reports further losses as government takeover looms
Net loss grows 60% year-on-year, with revenue down 10.7%. Earnings report comes amid expectation that Indian government will take majority stake in struggling JV. Absence of annual profit since launch of Reliance Jio in 2016.
-
M&A
Vodafone under M&A spotlight in Italy, UK
Group reportedly in consolidation talks with Iliad in Italy. A potential merger with Three UK was also apparently explored. Vodafone keeps head down as rumours swirl. Read keen advocate of European in-market consolidation.