Vodafonewatch News – Page 80
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People
Vodafone moves: M-PESA readies for growth; Vi’s Vora departs
Vi CTO Vishant Vora steps down leaving a vacancy. Several changes in Germany across departments. M-PESA gets a CTO to aid expansion. Former VGE CEO gets board position; Cheang named Huawei security lead.
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Products & Services
Vodafone’s fleet management goes green
Green mobility ambition sparks change in Vodafone Business’ fleet management platform. Pro+ version now includes EV/PHEV data tracking. Base models apparently remain traditional.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone brings open RAN trials to the Netherlands
NEC boosts its position as a Vodafone open RAN frontrunner, while Altiostar muscles in.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Portugal threatens to boycott 5G auction
Objections to auction terms favouring new entrant. Complaints escalated to Brussels, and R&D centre plans reconsidered. Other European auction processes continue to be clouded by traditional operator–regulator machinations, with COVID–19 and trade tensions adding to mix.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telkom calls for Rain-check on Vodacom spectrum tie-up
Complaint to South African Competition Tribunal calls time on spectrum-sharing agreement. Claims competition is at risk, ahead of upcoming spectrum auctions. Vodacom adamant that deals are “pro-competitive”.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom shareholder base sees changes
Big boys making their presence felt in Safaricom’s owner family; Loon nearing Mozambique launch.
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone opens up on OpenRAN trial in Turkey
OpenRAN playbook provides insight into deployment challenges. Local skills and resources are critical for successful rollouts. Acceptable performance achieved for rural environments. More work needed on management, operations, security, and deployment models. Vodafone brings open RAN trials to the Netherlands. NEC boosts its position as a Vodafone open RAN ...
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: sustainability gets a platform
Czech Republic, Spain 5G trial; Vodafone Germany takes sustainability on board.
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Products & Services
Asda Mobile returns to Vodafone UK network
Past flame rekindled as Vodafone regains love for MVNO partners.
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M&A
Vodafone UK’s partner puzzle remains unsolved
Could O2 + Virgin Media = Three for Vodafone UK? Fixed–mobile convergence is a riddle to be solved.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone’s Associates & JVs: Telenet-VodafoneZiggo merger raises concerns
New Greek towers JV cleared; VodafoneZiggo future remains in spotlight.
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Products & Services
Vodafone ready to kick off 5G real time stadium app
5G AR app is ready to launch as football fans return to stadiums. VfD to roll out 5G to more Bundesliga stadiums. Stadium tech in spotlight as Germany gears up to host Euro 2024. AR sports app takeup depends on device availability.
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Premium
Indus Towers–Infratel merger finally moves forward
Rejigged agreement offers a safety net for TowerCo amid ongoing questions over Vi’s future.
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M&A
Vodafone gets India tax break from The Hague
International arbitration court rules against India in long-running tax dispute surrounding 2007 Hutchison Essar acquisition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government reportedly mulling an appeal, pending legal advice. In separate tax news, India’s Supreme Court calls for ten-year payback period on outstanding AGR dues.
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Premium
Vodafone emerging as TIP’s most valuable player
Leads way in sourcing ‘open’ radio hardware suppliers. Targets DU/CU disaggregation and white-box base stations. Involved in raft of new TIP initiatives, including Solution Groups, OpenBNG, and MUST. Tenorio insists commercial deployments to date are “tip of the iceberg”.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: marketing agency tweak; CSR brought to the fore
Social responsibility brought into supplier assessments; Equinix highlights Telco Cloud ties; agency roster tweaked.
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Public Affairs
Huawei on retreat as US dials up European pressure
German coalition cabinet reportedly approves measures in IT security bill that, if passed, will effectively ban Huawei from 5G RAN market. Revision looks set to hurt Vodafone’s planning in largest market. Vodafone Greece also looks set for disruption as Pompeo visit increases pressure for a local ban.
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Strategy & Change
Telefónica gives OOPT some oomph in latest TIP update
Group closely involved in new OOPT transport initiatives, including OpenBNG and MUST. Telefónica champions Solution Groups, which aligns with Blanco’s focus on “end-to-end” virtualised architectures. Vodafone leads way, however, in sourcing ‘open’ radio hardware suppliers.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Petty on diversification board; new CFO in Ireland
Sir Ian Livingston drafts Scott Petty alongside fellow telco leaders for infrastructure policy changes. Sales changes in Spain. Evin named CFO in Ireland, while two former Group CFOs take new posts elsewhere.
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Strategy & Change
BT warns TIP not to overlook quality
Crane flags importance of broadband customer experience in OpenBNG work. Latest round of TIP updates suggests BT remains focused on core and access networks, while European peers DT, Telefónica, and Vodafone more openly embrace end-to-end development.