Latest Vodafone Insight – Page 82
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Strategy & Change
Elsewhere in Vodafone Europe: 5G tested across the bloc
German rivals jump on campus bandwagon; physical and digital security launches; 5G use-cases explored in Netherlands, Spain, and UK.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone's Associates and JVs: Vi joins techco targets
Vi toes the techco line; Zain not intent on gate-crashing Vodafone Egypt sale.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Group SCM “succession planning” underway
Tolga Tomruk takes SCM Networks Director role, leading relationships with established equipment vendors and the ‘open’ challenger set. Safaricom follows up consumer-centric shift with new CTIO. VodafoneZiggo taps rival KPN for mobile networks lead. Musical chairs on Vodacom Group’s Board of Directors.
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Network & Infrastructure
High hopes: Vodafone plans African SpaceMobile debut
Territories such as Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo seen as low-hanging fruit for edgy new satellite venture. Vodafone working behind scenes to build beyond investment in SpaceMobile, and exploit platform for network gain.
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Network & Infrastructure
UK 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
OpCo reallocates FTTP budget to finance HFC upgrades and expansion. Cable seen as giving better return on investment. VfD commits to fulfilling existing pipeline of FTTP projects. DOCSIS 4.0 in the wings.
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Vendor Voice
Salesforce Industries: bringing cloud Vlocity to telco CX
As the CRM giant sharpens its focus on telco transformation, Salesforce Industries highlights the need for operators to lose legacy baggage, embrace cultural change, and focus on collaboration to move at digital pace. Experience of acquisition Vlocity demonstrates three trends in telco transformation, from gradual evolution to enthusiastic adoption ...
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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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M&A
Vi cashes in from Indus Towers–Infratel merger
Vodafone’s loss-making JV in India gets a much-needed cash boost from sale of Indus stake. Vi reportedly in talks with private equity investors to raise more funds.
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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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Strategy & Change
Safaricom still keen on Ethiopia entry
Safaricom blocked from operating fintech service in Ethiopia, potentially making case for entry shakier, but operator reaffirms Ethiopian commitment and intention to enter bidding war. ECA offers spectrum auction update, amid escalating regional conflict.
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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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People
Vi’s Vora joins Mavenir leadership
Former Vi CTO Vishant Vora appointed executive President at Mavenir. Helping open RAN pioneer build out 5G proposition. Troubled Vi left to fight its own fires.
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Network & Infrastructure
Orange CEO open to pan-European TowerCo idea
Stéphane Richard sees “interesting opportunity” in possible tie-up with Deutsche Telekom or Vodafone. CEO wants to do “something smarter” with tower assets than selling masts to accumulator Cellnex.
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Premium
UK 5G innovation: the startups to watch
Five standout startups driving UK 5G innovation. UK government helping underwrite. Regional initiatives open floor to smaller operators (MNOs in the wings).
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone looks to unlock Spanish home security market
Vodafone Spain looks to mimic Telefónica success with entrance into connected-security market. Strategic agreement with market leader Securitas Direct picks up pieces of latter’s former relationship with incumbent rival. Deal announced after Telefónica and Prosegur’s JV highlights strong customer acquisition since launch earlier in 2020.
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Venturing & Investments
Tomorrow Street opens door to Block Gemini
Vodafone Procurement Company hoping to reap rewards after Block Gemini’s incubation and initial pilot. Third startup added to the innovation hot-house in just over a month, joining Quantexa and GeoSpock.
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Premium
Vodafone people moves: Vi leadership restructured; new Safaricom CFO installed
Vodafone builds open RAN influence with O-RAN Alliance oversight spot. Takkar handed another three years to lead Vodafone’s troubled Indian JV Vi. Safaricom Board rejigged following exec changes at Kenyan operator and parent Vodacom.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone resets consumer IoT business, targets new markets
Operator looking beyond its own OpCos to meet growth ambitions in the consumer IoT space. Group planning to go direct and indirect in new markets, including France and the USA. Seeking new partners.
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Strategy & Change
IoT.nxt rejigs management to further exploit Vodafone links
Vodacom acquisition anticipates faster international growth, prompting operational changes along territorial lines. Among the trio of internal appointments is Mark Beets, handed responsibility for developing business with Vodafone’s Partner Markets organisation.