All articles by Richard Agnew – Page 44
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PremiumVodafone Q2 FY20–21
Cost-cutting props up performance during COVID-19-hit quarter and CFO indicates she is preparing to step up efficiency plans further. Lag in delivery of leadership’s “Phase Two” plans, including Tech 2025, muddying attempts to assure stakeholders of a brighter future. Lots of talk of “underlying” strength as Group’s leadership seeks ...
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PremiumHeadline numbers: weathering the storm, for now
Key numbers relatively solid, reflecting telecoms sector’s cushioning from worst of pandemic disruption. Cost-cutting props up earnings, offsetting top-line weakness. Results preceded latest coronavirus response measures, which will have exacerbated drag on roaming revenue. Government support measures and resumption of international travel cited as key to maintaining solidity.
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PremiumSpend: Della Valle dials it up on COVID cost-cutting
CFO flags acceleration of savings push during H1, and possibility of a further expansion of ambitions for the post-COVID era. Planned developments at Vodafone Procurement Company briefly mooted. Stark Retail and Shared Services cutbacks detailed.
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PremiumGuidance: tightly-wound numbers obscure future
On a like-for-like basis, Vodafone Group is holding its own in the pandemic so far and leadership appears confident regarding short-term outlook. Longer-term prospects remain a question mark, however, especially as cost-cutting — rather than the top-line growth — is keeping the Group on a steady course. Asset sales ...
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PremiumAfrica: resilient SA helps Vodacom through crisis
Vodacom continues to perform well despite regulatory and macro pressures across its regional footprint. However, unfavourable currency trends remain fly in the ointment when Group’s results are translated to Vodafone’s P&L. No sign yet that Vodafone management is going cool on its commitment to Africa, despite weaknesses and willingness ...
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PremiumEurope: Read stresses asset line-up is not settled
Vodafone leadership considering next phase of Group strategy, and indicates M&A moves could form part of new medium-term plan. Group open to solutions in markets not generating sufficient return on capital employed. Germany’s importance to Vodafone on display again; commitment to other markets less obvious.
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PremiumDeutsche Telekom Group Q3 FY20
Twin-track Group resilient in Europe while continuing to achieve strong growth in the USA. Mismatch between prospects and sentiment in two regions has become a key challenge for management. Attention turning to next strategic cycle, and how DT will seek to reinvigorate Europe-side businesses in stodgy political and regulatory ...
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PremiumGuidance: beefed-up DT puts on a show
Up-sized Group uprates earnings again. America providing the main grunt, but Europe also chipping in. Stakeholders still queasy around cash generation, despite Group’s rude health at EBITDA level.
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PremiumHeadline data: bulked-up DT busting out of old suit
Double-figure and triple-figure milestones nearing for expanded Group on sales and earnings. TMUS the star, again, but DT’s network of European telcos holding firm during highly problematic FY. Top management unclear on picture at T-Sys as orders slump.
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Network & InfraHigh 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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MarketingNew T-Mobile US unit to take Un-Carrier model into ads
2019 Pushspring buyout morphs into launch of T-Mobile Marketing Solutions business, with talk of “disruption” and focus on industry “pain points”.
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PremiumBT Enterprise dials down on B2B costs
BT Enterprise flags more cost-cutting measures are being implemented as COVID-19 disruption adds to the broader challenges it faces in the digital era. As ever, partner and supplier consolidation and change is part of the plan. CEO Jansen presents enterprise 5G as bright spot amid gloom.
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Suppliers & SCMBT seeks instant purchasing power with Suplari
Procurement function seeking “relevance” by addressing “huge legacy” of aging IT, and reliance on Excel. Calculating spend with individual suppliers was long-winded. Quick-fire info seen as increasingly important amid COVID-19 and Brexit disruption.
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CorporateT-Mobile US boardroom given a refresh
Newly-appointed Telekom Deutschland CEO Srini Gopalan leaves US board, swapped for Dominique Leroy. hubraum’s Tazi and Group veteran Wilkins also join.
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Network & InfraDeutsche Telekom takes rain-check on full-fibre target
Rethink on mix of German next-gen deployment will see Group need a year more than expected to get up to full roll out speed.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone 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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Network & InfraVodafone Hungary spins out its tower operation
New Hungary TowerCo mirrors recent moves across European businesses. Another foundation stone laid for Vodafone’s Vantage Towers float. Gergő Budai takes CEO spot.
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Strategy & ChangeBT deploys bot to get top techies talking
“Robotic speed dating” sessions among changes being made in a bid to build better connections within Group’s technology leadership. BT getting creative as it grapples with change agenda.
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Public AffairsCosmote drops the ball on call data
Greek operator under fire, locally, over vulnerability leading to large-scale loss of customer details.
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Strategy & ChangeBT moves house in Hungary
Group’s Better Workplace office revamp extends beyond UK. Hungarian shared services operations remain in expansion-mode.