Europe
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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.
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Interview
Vishal 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.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone CFO: passion for digital drives transformation
Group CFO Margherita Della Valle plays leading role in transformation. Finance team is digital early adopter, leading Group by example. CFOs wield more influence over digital strategy.
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M&A
Vodafone’s Icelandic affiliate divests Hey
Sýn sells minority stake in Faroese sister company. Icelandic operator seeking cost efficiencies (in more ways than one). Partner Market relationship remains active in service and tech development.
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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.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone Business sharpens focus on SMEs
Vodafone Business unveils 2025 growth plan with pivot to SMEs. Partnerships with likes of Accenture seen as essential for expanding SME services. Group consolidation card played again: services to be created once centrally, and deployed locally in matrix organisation.
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Products & Services
Upstart Airtel rouses Vodafone Spain’s ire
New Spanish service provider revives Airtel brand after Vodafone Spain let trademark expire. VfS demands company stop using the brand.
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Network & Infrastructure
SIRO nudges up premises passed, but still some way off target
Vodafone’s fibre JV in Ireland added 61,000 premises in 2020, taking total up to 360,000. A 450,000 target, slated for 2018, now not expected to be reached until H2 2022. CEO Keaney looks to EU recovery fund to help drive digital Ireland.
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Products & Services
Vodafone remote access re-platforming delivers flexibility-on-demand
Supporting 100,000+ primarily Europe desktop and application users. Microsoft and Nutanix facilitate GDC’s “ journey to hybrid cloud scenario ”. Pandemic pressure-tests wisdom and capability of 2019 refit.
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Content & TV
Vodafone shoots for ‘world leadership’ as TV platform goes live in Germany
Sky’s the limit for Vodafone TV cloud platform ambition. Big step in TV platform consolidation across the Group. Migration underway in Germany.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone bolsters fixed and mobile cover with tie-ups
Active network sharing with O2 to help fill 4G coverage gaps, and smooth regulatory clearance of a larger pact with Deutsche Telekom. Expanded fixed access wholesale deal with Deutsche Telekom encompasses provision of wholesale fibre access. New infrastructure project with Primevest will see VfD sell full fibre ...
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Financial & Performance
Q3 FY20–21: Top team turn bullish as growth returns, just
Nick Read and Margherita Della Valle claim Group set for acceleration after sneaking back into growth territory during quarter. European macro and M A questions continue to overhang claims of confidence in regional prospects, however. Amid continued talk of yet more in‑country consolidation, “ pragmatic ” Vodafone ...
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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.
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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.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone tests 100G PON waters with Nokia
Experimental PON tech developed by Nokia Bell Labs gets runout at Vodafone’s Competence Centre in Eschborn, Germany. Enables speeds of up to 100Gbps on a single wavelength using a combination of 25G optics and “ advanced ” DSP techniques. Nokia envisages commercial availability in “ second half ...
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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.
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Network & Infrastructure
Virgin Media’s foray into 5G signals start of Vodafone era
Vodafone signs up MVNE Digitalk to support MVNO growth strategy.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Hungary stumps up €135m to extend licences
Secures 15‑year extensions to 900MHz and 1800MHz concessions. Supreme Court rules NMHH acted “ lawfully ” in blocking Digi Communications from participating in 2020 multiband auction.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Italian 3G sunset
End of road for Italian 3G network; 5G used to combat COVID-19 in Spain; Turkey enterprise unit digitises cement mix.
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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.
