Vodafonewatch News – Page 65
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Financial & PerformanceVi 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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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom looks closer to Ethiopian fintech expansion
Newly established Ethiopian OpCo reportedly given green-light to offer fintech service by market regulator. But incumbent rival already gifted year-long head start in m-money services realm.
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Products & ServicesIoT.nxt takes sports performance platform on tour
Rugby team the first to leverage IoT.nxt’s PLAYER.Connect real-time sports performance platform. Vodacom-owned IoT specialist targets fresh industry segment, drawing on breadth of Vodafone partnerships.
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PeopleNew digs for Vodacom exec duo
Vodacom DRC sources from within for new MD appointment. Al Americani to head digital services push following Soussa’s transition to Ethiopia. Vodafone veteran Hendi swaps Tanzania for Spain.
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Suppliers & SCMVPC’s Wilson praises Lenovo for help in pandemic crisis
Ninian Wilson impressed by Lenovo’s ability to meet “huge demand” for laptops when Vodafone call-centre operatives needed to work from home during lockdown. Extends existing Lenovo contract as reward: “when people help you in a crisis you don’t forget”.
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PremiumVodacom optics take off with Nokia tech
South African optical network trials hailed as a success, with Nokia hardware enabling long-distance, high-capacity data transmission. Testing seen as a proof of concept for wider rollout and 5G services expansion.
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OperationsIndus Towers said to firm up IT systems rework
TowerCo CEO flags progress in pursuit of post-merger synergies. “Indus team” completes IT systems integration, meaning management of 180,000+ site portfolio falls under one roof.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s tax hike response
Safaricom responds to excise tax hike; M-PESA management rejig reaches Lesotho; change at top of Xlink.
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PeopleTrio exit Vodafone Spain’s upper hierarchy
Second-in-charge Vicente leaves vacancy, as do leading lights in regulatory and television departments. Changes follow soon after news of CTO Ismael Asenjo’s exit, amid internal Tech rejig.
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PremiumVodafone Spain snags 700MHz at reserve price
Capital outlay of €350m on 2×10MHz block of low-band spectrum. CEO, in brief statement, says concession will enable “acceleration” of 5G rollout.
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PremiumVodafone plugs into Grid to aid fibre expansion
OpCo ties with Grid Telecom in 20year mutual exchange agreement. Vodafone looks to drive infrastructure investment elsewhere, including 5G and submarine projects.
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M&AVodafone Italy hands highways infra to INWIT JV
OpCo’s divestment bulks-up INWIT portfolio, as TowerCo continues spending spree. INWIT to equip portion of new assets with IoT capabilities in “smart road” drive. Acquisition expected to be green-lighted before end-2021.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone, 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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PremiumVodafone people moves: Pasquali steps into Italy’s Consumer leadership
With Duilio leaving for Sky Italia, Pasquali is lined up to become Director of Vodafone Italy’s Consumer Business Unit. In Albania’s Consumer division, Kir takes the helm. Safaricom makes two changes to its senior leadership team: Kamunyu and Senanu to lead Channels and Enterprise respectively.
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PeopleVodafone Carrier Services’ boss moves into key UK role
Vodafone Business lieutenant Nick Gliddon sent in to perform key UK enterprise mission. Move fills vacancy opened up by Anne Sheehan’s exit to Microsoft Ireland.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone eyes corporates with Unisys tie-up
Group launches Digital Factory, offering digitalisation support and integration services for AR/VR, big data, blockchain, edge compute, and IoT. Move chimes with Business:2025 growth strategy.
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PeopleCTO said to exit Vodafone Spain after Tech reshuffle
CTO Ismael Asenjo set to leave, according to local reports. Changes continuing to take hold from reworking of Europe-wide Technology operating model. Move follows appointment of Networks and Digital leads at OpCo.
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PeopleAhuja resigns Vodafone directorship
Telecom veteran departs Group Board, citing commitments elsewhere. High-profile resignation comes on eve of Vodafone AGM, with Olaf Swantee set to be sworn in.
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Network & InfrastructureJoosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
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M&AVantage back in shop window as Vodafone builds revival
M&A remains a lever to help Vodafone revive growth, says CEO Read. New Chairman van Boxmeer lighting a fire under Group strategy and ambition. Another chunk of Vantage could be sold off to “like-minded” partner. Hint made of some UK deal-making in pipeline. Egyptian and Spanish assets remain in ...