All Vivek Badrinath articles
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Network & InfrastructureVantage gains build wiggle room with Vodafone deal change
TowerCo builds production speed and “optionality” by securing licence to outsource part of its site expansion work for Vodafone Germany.
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Financial & Performance
Vantage tweaks schedule after ‘annoying’ builder delays
TowerCo’s build-to-suit programme hit by labour and material supply crunch. Management responds with move to simplify supply and logistics. Execs assure headline operational and financial goals remain in reach.
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Operations
Vantage drafts MOWEA for mast turbines
TowerCo indicates cleantech R&D tie‑up is ready for wider deployment. Deal initially focuses on a small subset of sites in main market Germany, but wider national and international rollout mooted if system checks out.
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Suppliers & SCM
1&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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Network & Infrastructure
Vantage states ‘clear interest’ in Cornerstone buyout
Vodafone’s European TowerCo eyes opportunities in Netherlands and UK as partners Liberty and Telefónica look to cash in on wireless infrastructure assets. Strategic tie‑up between Vantage and another MNO TowerCo also remains a possibility.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vantage Towers CEO dismisses bond proxy tag
Vivek Badrinath enthuses about “ exciting business model ”. Sees scope for innovation and expansion through greater non-operator engagement. Always on the lookout for M A opportunities, but existing markets take priority if going down consolidation route.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone reels in €2.3bn from Vantage Towers IPO
Proceeds to pay down Group debt. IPO share price holds steady on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Vantage Towers on alert as Drillisch appears on 5G radar
National roaming deal between Drillisch and Telefónica Deutschland paves way for 5G rollout by Germany’s would‑be fourth MNO. Vodafone’s TowerCo spinout vies with Deutsche Funkturm and Telxius for Drillisch business. Ericsson sales veteran Peter Zehetner joins Vantage Towers as Managing Director in Germany.
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People
Vantage Towers taps Ericsson sales guy for Germany push
Peter Zehetner joins Vodafone’s TowerCo spinout as Managing Director in Germany. Formerly Ericsson’s Commercial Director in western Europe, Zehetner brings years of sales experience to the Vantage team. Winning business from Drillisch, Germany’s would-be fourth MNO, high on the things-to-do-list.
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica agrees to monetise Cornerstone
Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Uncertain how Group’s top brass will proceed, but partial or full sale seems likely.
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People
Vantage 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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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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People
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.
