Headlines – Page 196
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Suppliers & SCMVPC’s Schultz sets cat managers among procurement pigeons
Manifesto that value chain orchestration is the new procurement norm ruffles some feathers. VPC Chairman upgrades procurement to ‘primary provider of business insight and foresight’.
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PeopleCTO O’Reilly exits O2
Brendan O’Reilly appointed Global CTO at infrastructure provider BAI Communications, leaving a gap at the top of O2 UK ahead of its impending Virgin Media merger. BAI hoping to tap O’Reilly’s 5G and network sharing expertise.
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Strategy & ChangeDeutsche Telekom denies reports of China mobile scheme (again)
Story of side-deal refuses to go away, but Group maintains previous line that it has no interest in a Chinese-German mobile access trade. Speculation re-emerges as China and EU near wider accord on investment.
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Strategy & ChangeBT seeks to electrify procurement with Faraday subsidiary
Managers for strategic procurement categories being recruited, including network, connectivity, and marketing. Data science remains prominent. New subsidiary’s standalone status emphasised, evidencing detachment and perhaps also ambition.
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PeopleVantage Towers CEO says he’s no Vodafone lackey
Vivek Badrinath emphasises operational and strategic independence from Vodafone. CEO claims Europe is 20 years behind the USA in commercialisation of towers. Newspaper interview used to defend upcoming listing on Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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Content & TVCloud-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.
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Partnerships & Alliances5G opening doors for BT in Warwickshire
Group pushing for startup ecosystem based on broad-sweeping open innovation partnership with Warwick Uni. 5G to be expediated to Leamington Spa and wider network, with opportunities for gaming cluster highlighted.
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS taking an ‘outside-in’ approach, but vouchers there for quick wins
Small targeted interventions and mid-size fill-ins expected to feature in first swathe of public–private contracts. Mega-deals not ruled out. Pragmatic use of Public Sector Hubs another option.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone 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.
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS helping England play catch up, or possibly leapfrog
Devolved nations at the back of the queue for new money. Fibre emphasised over cable.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: banking products extended
Vodafone Ghana and Safaricom look to expand financial services offering with new products.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone gains another drone inspection case study
EU initiative supports deployment of Vodafone-connected drone tech in Spain. Clearance given by authorities to fly unmanned aircrafts beyond 500m. Surveillance use-case comes to the fore — again.
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom SA files 4G/5G auction application
Much-delayed auction of spectrum licences still mired in controversy and legal action.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom Tanzania fine-tuned for Mdundo music
Co-developed “proof of concept” lays groundwork for VdT digital media set expansion. Group enabling ambitious Kenya-based startup to broaden horizons in Africa.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere 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).
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Group: R&D goes quantum
Group R&D enters quantum realm; Discovery tied on streaming; Vodafone Fiji eyeing regional expansion.
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M&AVodafone abandons Egypt exit talks
Long-awaited deal falls through, with STC apparently failing to reach an agreement with minority-owner Telecom Egypt. Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read remains philosophical after trekking to Egypt for talks with the President.
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Network & InfrastructureDCMS defends its record as PAC report sees trouble ahead
PAC scathing in review of previous funding plans. Watchdog critical of a lack of planning and joined-up thinking now. Rural sites seen as at risk of being overlooked in trimmed-down Gigabit programme.
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Network & InfrastructureA lack of joined up governing
Red tape roadblocks remain in place. Business rates continue to stick in craw of infra players. Double-edged sword on state aid changes.
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Network & InfrastructureBT and Openreach voices being heard
BT execs appear to be getting message across on need for support. Rivals remain keen to extract more concessions from Openreach on infra access.