All articles by Richard Agnew – Page 33
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InnovationVodafone seeks a bit of tech stardust with Nova platform
New “innovation management ecosystem” promises financial and business support to execs with bright ideas. Focus appears both internal and external, with customers and partners of Vodafone expected to become involved. Move forms part of broader reset of Vodafone’s platforms and services strategy.
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Financial & PerformanceTalkmobile revamp takes a knock from COVID-19
Vodafone UK’s bid to refresh side-business Talkmobile gets bogged down as economising customers and intense competition hit revenue. OpCo still sees inhouse MVNO as a useful defence mechanism against low-cost mobile rivals.
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PremiumFamilyMode relaunch now pegged for early-2022
TMUS partner Smith Micro confirms deal has finally been struck on a new SafePath 7-based FamilyMode 3.0 product. Agreement enables TMUS to tidy up a range of legacy Sprint and T-Mobile family safety offerings.
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PremiumVodafone wants rapid 5G start after escaping Portugal auction shackles
Portuguese OpCo debuts 5G after long delay in securing rights. Little potential for ARPU uplift on show as operators begin 5G commercial race.
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Network & InfraSpaceMobile confirms slippage on BlueWalker 3 launch
Deployment of prototype satellite rescheduled for next summer. SpaceX-supported launch is precursor to integration and testing programme with Vodafone and other partner MNOs.
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PremiumNetcracker BSS gets a digital spruce-up
Upgrade of Vodafone Spain’s existing BSS system aims to deliver improved speed and insight, as well as being able to deal with the complexity of multi-play services.
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Premium1&1 offers challenging maths for Vantage and Vodafone
TowerCo wins a potentially important reference deal with Vodafone German challenger 1&1. Strategically complex win clouded by reports of internal ructions.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelefónica goes MagNET fishing for telco SME tie-ups
Growth division reveals it has been building out a new B2B service delivery platform to strengthen its place in the value chain. Telco and SI partners being sought to extend MagNET-based offerings “globally”.
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Network & InfraDT begins hiring for German fibre startup
Joint venture with Australia’s IFM begins recruitment of commercial and IT staff, as it seeks a slice of municipalities’ subsidised Gigabit roll outs.
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Strategy & ChangeShip steadied at Deutsche Telekom UK
Much-diminished British unit says increasing app usage generating uptick in usage and revenue. Business assures over “long-term plan” for DT’s operational presence in UK.
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OperationsTelefónica presents redundancy plan to Spanish unions
Union negotiations begin over new phase of headcount reduction. Reports suggest more than 3,000 staff will be offered voluntary redundancy, although eventual job cut total expected to be lower. Move comes amid ongoing competition and inflation concerns.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT renews Middle Eastern partnerships
Long-running R&D tie-up gets extended, with BT’s engagement with Etisalat and Khalifa University stretching a further five years. BT Applied Research MD Tim Whitley among those involved.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 guidance: on-point numbers prompt upward correction
Group gains confidence from “in line” H1 numbers to raise floors on earnings and cash flow.
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PremiumVodafone H1 FY21–22 spend: capex boost falls silent, opex squeeze paused
Presentation sees no further update on (somewhat contentious) Group plans for a capex lift to fuel digital services growth. Executives moot another exceptional investment boost in Germany, for fibre rollout. Group Finance’s headline opex reduction programme comes to a temporary halt, amid pandemic effects.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22 Headlines: Vodafone growth maintained despite B2B, Spain bumps
Group benefits as COVID-19 drag steadily eases. On positive side, forward movement maintained in Germany and UK, and picture improves in super-competitive Italy. Blotches include an apparent step back in growth at Vodafone Business, despite its star billing, and a return to reverse gear in perennially challenging Spain.
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PremiumQ2 FY21–22: Vodafone's Read hypes prospects as M&A talk hots up
Leadership especially bullish on “momentum” and “sustainable growth” after solid Q2 data. Wave of M&A possibilities surround Vodafone only a few months after Group declared portfolio reshaping complete. Report sees Group maintain growth, but with mix of performances across businesses and a glitch on cost-saving progress. Guidance floors raised ...
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PremiumH1 FY21–22: flat figures at BT Consumer do not curb Jansen enthusiasm
Consumer division sees revenue and earnings knock in Q2. Numbers show slow going on multi-play uptake, and star product and service lines being outshone by accessories. Executives remain bullish on the long-term growth promise of convergence, however.
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InnovationNew TelcoX research from TelcoTitans: state-of-play with Vodafone’s data drive
Survey provides exclusive insight into Vodafone executives’ perceptions of key suppliers. Including special focus on where operator is at with data adoption, to drive efficiencies and speed to market. Top ongoing challenges include organisational and technical bottlenecks.
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PremiumTelefónica Q3 FY21 Guidance and spend: hanging fire in uncertain times
Positive results not enough for Telefónica to lift guidance. Grip on spend remains in place, with focus on volume and mix discipline.
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Network & InfraBT preps for 2G cut-off
Operator confirms intent to follow 2023’s 3G services shutdown with retirement of 2G. Executives say preparations are in place to support customers and partners through transition. Move comes amid particular concern over how 2G sunset will impact rural, M2M, and elderly users.