Associates & JVs
-
Public Affairs
EC quietly drops Ziggo Sport probe
Antitrust investigation that sparked EC’s 2018 office raid closed down, with little revealed regarding what was behind it.
-
M&A
Vantage Towers buys out partner in Greek TowerCo
Vodafone TowerCo signals its independence with first acquisition since its IPO in Frankfurt . Vodafone Greece and Wind Hellas to remain anchor tenants of Greek TowerCo. Rival OTE bides its time.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone boosts takings from Partner Markets allies
Soft-power federation increases contribution to the Group, amid footprint expansion. Relationship formed upon exit from New Zealand appears one significant driver. Africa and Americas gaps cloud Vodafone’s ‘global’ credentials.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Liberty: VodafoneZiggo tower sale is ‘work-in-progress’
CEO Mike Fries sees Dutch joint venture’s assets as undervalued. Partner appears aligned with Vodafone’s eagerness to extract cash from site networks across Europe. Broader discussions over VodafoneZiggo collaboration may be tied in with tower question.
-
Network & Infrastructure
INWIT CEO laments 5G fake news, Italy’s stringent EMF rules
Giovanni Ferigo reiterates importance of “ educational initiatives ” to combat 5G health misinformation. CEO urges Italian government to relax EMF limits.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
VodafoneZiggo consults virtual twin on fibre rollout strategy
Post-trial, Dutch operator partners with Tata Consultancy Services on AI-based network planning — and perhaps other functions too.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: A1 stable; NZ changes abound
Developments from around Vodafone’s soft-power network: results stability for A1; Elisa works Vodafone Business ties for SD‑WAN delivery; changes afoot for Vodafone New Zealand.
-
Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone ups the ante on drone innovation
Dutch, German, and UK trials flag recent progress in autonomous and unmanned flight. Ericsson emerges as important co‑pilot.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Vantage Towers on alert as Drillisch appears on 5G radar
National roaming deal between Drillisch and Telefónica Deutschland paves way for 5G rollout by Germany’s would‑be fourth MNO. Vodafone’s TowerCo spinout vies with Deutsche Funkturm and Telxius for Drillisch business. Ericsson sales veteran Peter Zehetner joins Vantage Towers as Managing Director in Germany.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs
Teoh junior faces TPG ire after assault conviction; INWIT’s Ferigo bemoans 5G rollout barriers.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
German startup MOWEA seeks tailwind for Vodafone network tie-up
Startup’s relationship with Vodafone lies in German UPLIFT scheme. Vendor aiming to branch out in Germany and form relationships with other in‑country tower businesses.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone NZ pivots to improve post-sale performance
Former Vodafone OpCo jumps on CX/digital transformation train in a big way, in bid to raise profitability. Quadruple IT stack legacy of time in Vodafone Group one area of inefficiency to be removed. Two of top team shuffled out amid commercial reset, including long-time Vodafone exec Antony ...
-
M&A
Vodafone readies cheque for Egyptian fintech players
Vodafone Egypt signs MoU for minority stakes in digital payment players Bee and Masary. New Vodafone Egypt CEO Abdallah seeks to paint deal as part of “ promising ” strategic investment plan, following Group’s failed exit.
-
M&A
Liberty CEO puts two‑year timeframe on VodafoneZiggo IPO
Fries cautiously tells analysts to watch out for some “ activity ” at its Dutch JV in the next 24 months. VodafoneZiggo burnishes its IPO credentials with target-busting financials for FY20.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Indus Towers talks up ‘next‑gen’ tech revamp
Former Finance Director of Vodafone Intelligent Solutions takes on CFO role at newly combined entity . Expanse moves come with Vodafone said to be contemplating selling part of its Indus stake to help out troubled Vi .
-
Operations
Vodafone’s Read: “pre‑COVID office concept is gone”
Future Ready office pilots taking place in UK, Czechia, and Hungary. Nick Read outlines long‑term policy changes implemented in response to the pandemic, with norms changed to support a “ hybrid ” work future. Distributed, regional model to promote diversity and inclusion.
-
Content & TV
Cloud-based Vodafone TV platform rolls into Germany
Platform launch is one of multiple moves in German TV revamp. Start of migration appears to be happening several months behind schedule. Rollout solidifies Group strategy for TV technology platform.
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone spectrum auctions to watch, 2021
Markets across Vodafone’s footprint have spectrum auctions planned in 2021. UK, India, Australia among the key bids to watch — though 2020 set a precedent for delays.
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Spain flags Accenture deal
ho picks up pieces after data hack; One More Service sees partnerships in Spain (security) and Hungary (IoT ) .
-
Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: R&D goes quantum
Group R D enters quantum realm; Discovery tied on streaming; Vodafone Fiji eyeing regional expansion .