Europe region
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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 & Infrastructure
Vodafone Germany prioritises HFC over FTTP in Gigabit push
Reallocates FTTP budget to finance HFC upgrades and expansion. Cable seen giving better return on investment. Commits to fulfilling remaining pipeline of FTTP projects. DOCSIS 4.0 in the wings.
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Suppliers & SCM
UK tightens screws on telcos over Huawei
Government plans to tackle lack of diversity in upcoming new 5G strategy.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone 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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M&A
Forthnet 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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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone looks to unlock Spanish home security market
Vodafone Spain signs strategic agreement with market leader Securitas Direct. Announced shortly after Movistar’s Prosegur JV published its first positive customer acquisition results since its March launch. Telcos increasingly prevalent in Spain’s home security market.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone 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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Products & Services
Vodafone Spain flags family-oriented Secure Net upgrade
No longer limited to mobile network traffic. Service launches family package with Parental Control bolt‑on.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone UK unveils plans to kick-start open RAN
OpCo commits to 2,600-site rollout; suppliers in evaluation stage. VfUK aims for at least 20% of UK sites based on disaggregated architectures, but not until 2027. Timeline dovetails with Huawei kit removal roadmap. Investment geared towards encouraging more participation from operators, suppliers, and government to get ...
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Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone brings 5G to UK CAM testbed
VfUK set to deploy macro 5G coverage along regional CAM route. Move builds on OpCo’s existing future mobility partnership in region, and efforts to tap into key UK government 5G development programme.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone Ireland pushes for greater digital engagement
OpCo has deployed the first 50 Broadband Connection Points as the long‑gestated National Broadband Plan starts to take shape. Reveals measures that were required to deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone Portugal strikes network-sharing deal with NOS
Two agree on mixture of passive and ‘active’ sharing of mobile networks, but not spectrum. Both parties insist they can reduce costs without surrendering autonomous, strategic decision-making.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Greece targets submarine business
Vodafone Greece eyes submarine; cashiers going virtual in Spain; Vodafone UK blocked from handset blocking.
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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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Analysis
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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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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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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Analysis
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. ...
