Vodafonewatch News – Page 70
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s data centre refresh
Safaricom plans data centre refresh; Millicom backs out of Tanzania.
-
Financial & PerformanceRingCentral expects Vodafone dividends in 2022
Cloud-based comms provider does not expect strategic partnership with Vodafone Business to start bearing fruit until “beyond 2021”. RingCentral COO says tie-up “on track to launch this year in multiple countries across Europe”.
-
Strategy & ChangeVodafone adds smarts to real estate strategy
Technology from acquisition IoT.nxt is helping Vodafone to better optimise its office space. Rollout chimes with coronavirus challenges and Group’s cost savings goals. External customers being scoped out for system.
-
Premium3G sunsets accelerate amid re-farming push
After Germany and the Netherlands, more Vodafone businesses are laying out plans to repurpose 3G spectrum for 4G and 5G networks.
-
PremiumVodafone ties with O2 to tidy up mid-band spectrum
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with Vodafone trading blocks with O2, while BT opted to buy preferable positions outright. Vodafone–O2 swap ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
-
Public AffairsSees.ai gets all-clear for BVLOS drone flights
VfUK drone partner achieves UK-first permission. Tests to be carried out at three nominated sites. OpCo flags separate drone trial collaboration with Ericsson and Lidar tech for remote cell site inspections.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Deegan questions Spain's 5G investment policy
5G- and VR-powered maintenance deal on Italy’s railways; call for network investment reform in Spain.
-
PremiumVodafone Germany switches on standalone 5G
“LTE training wheels” are off in Europe’s first 5G SA network. Ericsson, Nokia, OPPO, and Qualcomm share 5G limelight. VfD ushers in low latency and network slicing. Ten 5G data centres by 2023.
-
PremiumTPG to lead hybrid shared network trials
Proof-of-concept testing now underway in New South Wales, with TPG Telecom named “lead mobile network operator”. Nokia and Optus involved. Decade-long ambition to build multi-operator network now has 2023 launch date.
-
Products & ServicesVodafone Italy’s GameNow goes live
Edge-based gaming platform was first announced in September 2019.
-
PremiumVodafone people moves: Chief Network Officers named across European footprint
Following the lead of Vodafone UK Networks Director Andrea Donà, CNOs were named at a handful of European OpCos, including some external appointments. Former Vi executive Narayan takes Lyca Group CEO job and sets lofty ambitions for MVNO strategy turnaround.
-
Strategy & ChangeVodafone CFO: Shared Services at the heart of digital strategy
Finance’s Shared Services division was spark for Group’s digital strategy. Vodafone Group CFO Margherita Della Valle is not “empire building”. Shared Services drives efficiency, but not immune from cuts.
-
Suppliers & SCMRicoh flags widening Vodafone role
Longstanding IT services partner expects to have more opportunities in areas such as digital workplaces, data and analytics, and cloud infrastructure.
-
Suppliers & SCMVodafone’s supply chain unit targets enterprises with ‘buying club’
New procurement service for enterprise customers and Partner Markets. Marketplace aggregates tail spend to control procurement costs.
-
Products & ServicesVodacom eyeing M-PESA’s biggest money transfer yet?
M-commerce froth suggests possible eight-figure valuation for M-PESA. High-profile friends could add further appeal. Joosub showing signs of monetisation interest, possible temptation.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Vip Mobile adopts A1 marque; MTS partners Ericsson on 5G lab
Developments from around Vodafone’s soft-power network; A1 Telekom’s Serbian unit adopts A1 marque; MTS partners Ericsson on 5G lab.
-
Public AffairsVodafone Germany braces for cable rule changes
New law could end bundling cable TV with housing association rental fees. VfD could lose two million subscribers, estimates Jefferies.
-
Strategy & ChangeSafaricom: deadline for Ethiopia entry bid pushed back (again)
ECA grants Kenyan operator and other interested parties more time to consider ins and outs of Ethiopian expansion. Deadline revised for the second time in as many months. Laws blocking Safaricom from operating fintech service in country remain in place (for now).
-
InterviewVishal Dixit: MVNOs are vital to Vodafone UK growth
Conversations with potential UK MVNO partners are “in the double digits”. Asda Mobile and Virgin Media deals exemplify OpCo’s new approach to MVNO partnerships. OpCo moving away from a ‘computer says no’ approach to MVNOs.
-
Products & ServicesJoosub hints at pan-African ambitions for Vodacom’s Super App
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says Alipay-backed “Super App” could “transform the continent”. Super App’s enterprise offering will build on current VodaTrade and VodaPay functionality, with Vodacom targeting SMEs in its expanding financial services goals.