Vodafonewatch News – Page 78
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Network & InfrastructureUK plots 5G future sans Huawei
BT suggests Adastral Park would be a natural home for parts of the proposed National Telecoms Lab.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Germany prioritises HFC over FTTP in Gigabit push
OpCo reallocates FTTP budget to finance HFC upgrades and expansion. Cable seen as giving better return on investment. VfD commits to fulfilling existing pipeline of FTTP projects. DOCSIS 4.0 in the wings.
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Vendor VoiceSalesforce Industries: bringing cloud Vlocity to telco CX
As the CRM giant sharpens its focus on telco transformation, Salesforce Industries highlights the need for operators to lose legacy baggage, embrace cultural change, and focus on collaboration to move at digital pace. Experience of acquisition Vlocity demonstrates three trends in telco transformation, from gradual evolution to enthusiastic adoption ...
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Suppliers & SCMUK tightens screws on telcos over Huawei
Government plans to tackle lack of diversity in upcoming new 5G strategy.
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M&AVi cashes in from Indus Towers–Infratel merger
Vodafone’s loss-making JV in India gets a much-needed cash boost from sale of Indus stake. Vi reportedly in talks with private equity investors to raise more funds.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone hits open RAN trail in rural Ireland
Modest rollout of 30 sites planned initially, supporting 4G. Supplier partners include Comba Telecom, HP, Parallel Wireless, Supermicro, and VMware. Operator keen to include automation vendors in the open RAN ecosystem.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom still keen on Ethiopia entry
Safaricom blocked from operating fintech service in Ethiopia, potentially making case for entry shakier, but operator reaffirms Ethiopian commitment and intention to enter bidding war. ECA offers spectrum auction update, amid escalating regional conflict.
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M&AForthnet share shuffle puts United Group in charge
Pending takeover ends will-they-won’t-they saga of possible Vodafone and Wind buyout. Forthnet MVNO supported by Vodafone Greece yet to be launched commercially, but reflects competitive threat for OpCo to ponder. Move for Wind rumoured as next step for United.
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PeopleVi’s Vora joins Mavenir leadership
Former Vi CTO Vishant Vora appointed executive President at Mavenir. Helping open RAN pioneer build out 5G proposition. Troubled Vi left to fight its own fires.
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Network & InfrastructureOrange CEO open to pan-European TowerCo idea
Stéphane Richard sees “interesting opportunity” in possible tie-up with Deutsche Telekom or Vodafone. CEO wants to do “something smarter” with tower assets than selling masts to accumulator Cellnex.
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PremiumUK 5G innovation: the startups to watch
Five standout startups driving UK 5G innovation. UK government helping underwrite. Regional initiatives open floor to smaller operators (MNOs in the wings).
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone looks to unlock Spanish home security market
Vodafone Spain looks to mimic Telefónica success with entrance into connected-security market. Strategic agreement with market leader Securitas Direct picks up pieces of latter’s former relationship with incumbent rival. Deal announced after Telefónica and Prosegur’s JV highlights strong customer acquisition since launch earlier in 2020.
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Venturing & InvestmentsTomorrow Street opens door to Block Gemini
Vodafone Procurement Company hoping to reap rewards after Block Gemini’s incubation and initial pilot. Third startup added to the innovation hot-house in just over a month, joining Quantexa and GeoSpock.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Vi leadership restructured; new Safaricom CFO installed
Vodafone builds open RAN influence with O-RAN Alliance oversight spot. Takkar handed another three years to lead Vodafone’s troubled Indian JV Vi. Safaricom Board rejigged following exec changes at Kenyan operator and parent Vodacom.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone resets consumer IoT business, targets new markets
Operator looking beyond its own OpCos to meet growth ambitions in the consumer IoT space. Group planning to go direct and indirect in new markets, including France and the USA. Seeking new partners.
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Strategy & ChangeIoT.nxt rejigs management to further exploit Vodafone links
Vodacom acquisition anticipates faster international growth, prompting operational changes along territorial lines. Among the trio of internal appointments is Mark Beets, handed responsibility for developing business with Vodafone’s Partner Markets organisation.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Hungary spins out its tower operation
New Hungary TowerCo mirrors recent moves across European businesses. Another foundation stone laid for Vodafone’s Vantage Towers float. Gergő Budai takes CEO spot.
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PeopleVodafone facing brewing storm over van Boxmeer appointment?
Controversy over the use of ‘beer promo girls’ continues to hang over Jean-François van Boxmeer, who is on the verge of taking up the reins as Group Chairman. Vodafone says it is satisfied as to its new Chairman’s integrity.
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone Supplier Awards 2020: winners
VPC dished out eight awards in its first digital edition. Accenture the standout: ‘Supplier of the Year’ and outstanding technology performance recognised.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone in “no rush” to deploy XGS-PON
Cornaglia says GPON fibre architecture is “probably sufficient” to meet bandwidth needs until 2025. Executive sees some promise in TWDM-PON technologies in longer term, but high costs and system instability causes for concern.