Europe – Page 31
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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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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: sustainability gets a platform
Czech Republic, Spain 5G trial; Vodafone Germany takes sustainability on board.
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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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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
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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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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M&A
MÁSMÓVIL CEO calls Vodafone link a “bluff”
Spenger scoffs at recent media reports that MÁSMÓVIL was in consolidation talks with Vodafone. CEO pointedly adds, however, that mergers eliminate “unnecessary infrastructure costs”.
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Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone Greece facing possible Huawei ban
OpCo appears more vulnerable than main rival Cosmote to US pressure on Greek government for a clearout of Huawei network kit.
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Public Affairs
Read rails against states flouting EU law
Group CEO used a sponsored posting on the Politico website to demand, once again, a level playing field for Europe’s telecoms players, while bemoaning steps taken by several EU governments to sidestep European competition legislation. Article does not suggest Read’s bid for a reset of regulatory relations in Europe ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
TPG deepens Genesys ties
TPG projects opex savings of AU$ 3m after moving all customer contact channels to cloud-based platform. Genesys now appears firmly entrenched within the Group, with VfD a key user.
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M&A
Vodafone linked with Spain’s MÁSMÓVIL again
Group reportedly in acquisition talks with Spain’s fourth largest operator. MÁSMÓVIL subsequently denies discussions after only recently agreeing to private equity buyout.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: cyber security swaps in central Europe
Changes rung in Group and OpCo enterprise arms. Czech, German, and Tanzanian OpCos name new cyber security heads. Another telco exec leaves for pastures new at AWS. Former Vodafone Transformation lead Finch takes Three UK CIO gig.
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Network & Infrastructure
Happy campus: German industry embracing private 5G
5G local frequency allocations almost doubled in five months, to 74 organisations. Vodafone first rebuffed, now riding bandwagon with RedBox. Over 47% of identified allocations have gone to IT/network service and technology providers, including Huawei.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: mimik joins TMUS-backed 5G innovation lab
Vodafone continues to push cellular case in automotive innovation. Ex-Tech figures Arjomandi and Alamouti team up with T-Mobile.
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Europe: 5G projects gain momentum across Vodafone OBs
VfUK closes in on Gigafast rollout target; 5G projects gain momentum across OBs.