All Nick Read articles
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M&ALiberty CEO: call me, Nick, if you want to sell VodafoneZiggo
Mike Fries says Liberty “open-minded” on possibility of transaction with co‑parent Vodafone. Management of Dutch JV conducting “strategic review” around issues including infrastructure and content ownership.
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People
Swantee ends fleeting spell on Vodafone board
As-yet-unrevealed clash of interests prompts former EE CEO to leave Group after less than two months. Move comes amid M&A action in both UK and Netherlands.
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M&A
Vodafone’s nudge technique gets STC ‘back to table’
Regional media reports indicate that Saudi Telecom Company is seeking to revive a buyout of the Group’s Egyptian business, after failure of 2020 deal. Move follows Vodafone’s exploration of an internal switch of Egyptian OpCo.
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Network & Infrastructure
Portugal’s auction pain continues as Spain shines on digital
Sale process now at 178 days and counting. Nick Read continues to sing praises of Spain’s example on digitisation. The CEO again warns that Europe is lagging on 5G and digital infrastructure.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone CEO disses DSS
Nick Read flags “performance degradation” when using DSS in blended environment of 4G and 5G. Not clear if all vendors equally guilty in Read’s eyes. Ericsson’s proprietary Ericsson Spectrum Sharing solution used in key Vodafone markets, including Germany and UK. Vendor emphatically denies there is any meaningful performance dip ...
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q1 FY21–22: ‘Phase two’ relaunched with M&A sweetener
Some hints of compromise with City overseers as Vodafone re-seeds post-pandemic, digital-led growth plan. New Chairman van Boxmeer appears to be lighting a fire under Group mindset and strategy. M&A talked up as a lever to help Vodafone in the push to revive growth. Another chunk of Vantage could ...
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q1 FY21-22 Headlines: pandemic snags unwind, gradually
Group bounces out of pandemic slump, helped by lapping and increased business confidence. Cautious CEO warns of further “bumps in the road”. In Spain, another large-scale downsizing move made under cover of Digital Telco transformation, and as fodder for Group’s centralisation-led efficiency plans.
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Strategy & Change
BT reviewing Indian tech ops, may insource from partners
Taking a relook at level of work outsourced to third-party providers such as Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahindra. Insourcing would “strengthen” role of BT’s Bangalore-based services operation, increase self-reliance.
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Enterprise (B2B)
Vodafone’s Read wants Europe to ‘do a Spain’ on digital
Group CEO makes reference to €3bn budget for digitalisation of small businesses. Move chimes with existing Vodafone Business strategy to focus on SMEs.
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Network & Infrastructure
Portuguese operators remain embroiled in epic 5G auction
Portugal’s 5G auction has completed 146 days of bidding, and counting. Government said to have no plans to intervene, but drag adds to 5G deadline pressure.
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Financial & Performance
Vi AGR appeal torpedoed; Birla seeks to jump ship
Vi challenges Supreme Court decision to stick with DoT’s AGR liability calculation. Vodafone’s junior partner Kumar Mangalam Birla resigns as Vi Chairman shortly after India’s top court sides with DoT. Vi CEO Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone, ABG keep funding taps closed for beleaguered Indian JV
Vi shareholders wash their hands of JV’s plight. Insist that private investment is the only way for Vi to remain going concern. Vi CEO Ravinder Takkar claims private investors are more put off by India’s floor pricing than AGR dispute.
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M&A
Vantage back in shop window as Vodafone builds revival
M A remains a lever to help Vodafone revive growth, says CEO Read. New Chairman van Boxmeer lighting a fire under Group strategy and ambition. Another chunk of Vantage could be sold off to “ like-minded ” partner. Hint made of some UK deal-making in pipeline. ...
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Strategy & Change
Group Technology toes line on “new-gen” plan
Top-down flavour to Tech 2025 initiatives as Group Finance (again) steals a lot of the Group Technology thunder, keeping ambitions in check with fiscal targets. Programme kept closely in line with Group leadership’s medium-term, twin-track ambition to refuel its commercial engine while keeping a tight rein on investment. Headline ...
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Strategy & Change
Van Boxmeer gifted remit to disrupt Vodafone Board
Latest Board Evaluation calls for increased “ liveliness ” of conversations across the Group’s top table. Composition changes mooted for dozen-strong grouping brought together by former Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee. Start of TechCo strategy seen as moment to strengthen accountability of top duo Read and Della Valle. ...
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Financial & Performance
Q4 FY20–21: Vodafone Group goes off thrift script in Read ‘phase two’
FY20–21 presentation sees reins eased off investment, but to an unknown degree, and with a focus on select target areas within leadership’s comfort zone . Increasingly dominant German operations to get a capex boost, along with ever-expanding central functions. Announcement of strategy tweak falls on stony ground, ...
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Financial & Performance
Q4 FY20–21: Vodafone Group lines up for NextGenerationEU subs
Leadership pins hopes on European Union twelve-figure cash injection to breathe new life into troubled Mediterranean markets. Group prepping its own capex uplift in tandem with EU’s, but focus is primarily on German ‘safe zone’. While operator is positive on European prospects, little is offered to convince ...
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q4 FY20–21 headlines: footing regained and Group ready for climb
Top execs keen to portray Vodafone as ready for bounce-back. Top-line recovery remains Africa- and Germany-centric. Signs domination of efficiency drives may have run course and revenue base needs a boost.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q4 FY20–21 guidance: capex bill causes pushback
Group opens up with medium-term growth commitments. However, City analysts appear irked by cash flow uncertainties stemming from spend to fuel that growth.
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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.
