Vodafone Group – Page 59
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Suppliers & SCMSmart shopping: Vodafone now using bots for buying
Vodafone Procurement Company says new autonomous platform switched on in June. Focus on extended reach and efficiency in long-tail buying. System could ultimately handle end-to-end sourcing for quarter of spend, unit suggests. Pega and _VOIS on enabler team.
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Strategy & ChangeSpaceMobile targets satellite status quo
AST SpaceMobile’s satellite tech represents break from past, says CEO. US space venture posts first results update since going public, as high-profile, iconoclastic startup edges closer to commercial get-go. Vodafone lends helping hand in satellite-to-cell compatibility tests. FCC opens gateway to domestic market.
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Suppliers & SCMBT protégé DoubleMe doubles down on 5G and MEC
3D image processing specialist highlights collaboration with BT, DT, Telefónica, Vodafone, and others to realise real-time ‘metaverse’ ambitions using 5G.
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Partnerships & AlliancesTelecom Egypt to hold Vodafone to “strict” dividend deal
Executives of Vodafone’s Egyptian partner suggest new deal gives watertight dividend flow from their joint mobile business. Agreement creates path for Vodafone to do an internal switch of its Egyptian OpCo, following failed Saudi Telecom deal.
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Suppliers & SCMGreek TowerCo ramps up tenancies with Sigfox deal
Sigfox taps Vantage’s Greek business for infra support in “nationwide” IoT deployment programme. Ten-year strategic agreement to increase mast tenancies by more than 250 over next three financial years.
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PremiumVodafone IoT powers Westenergie’s renewable grid
Westenergie is a case study for digitalisation and IoT.
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Network & InfrastructurePortuguese 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 & PerformanceVi 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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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom looks closer to Ethiopian fintech expansion
Newly established Ethiopian OpCo reportedly given green-light to offer fintech service by market regulator. But incumbent rival already gifted year-long head start in m-money services realm.
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Suppliers & SCMVPC’s Wilson praises Lenovo for help in pandemic crisis
Ninian Wilson impressed by Lenovo’s ability to meet “huge demand” for laptops when Vodafone call-centre operatives needed to work from home during lockdown. Extends existing Lenovo contract as reward: “when people help you in a crisis you don’t forget”.
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OperationsIndus Towers said to firm up IT systems rework
TowerCo CEO flags progress in pursuit of post-merger synergies. “Indus team” completes IT systems integration, meaning management of 180,000+ site portfolio falls under one roof.
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M&AVodafone Italy hands highways infra to INWIT JV
OpCo’s divestment bulks-up INWIT portfolio, as TowerCo continues spending spree. INWIT to equip portion of new assets with IoT capabilities in “smart road” drive. Acquisition expected to be green-lighted before end-2021.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone, 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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PremiumVodafone people moves: Pasquali steps into Italy’s Consumer leadership
With Duilio leaving for Sky Italia, Pasquali is lined up to become Director of Vodafone Italy’s Consumer Business Unit. In Albania’s Consumer division, Kir takes the helm. Safaricom makes two changes to its senior leadership team: Kamunyu and Senanu to lead Channels and Enterprise respectively.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone eyes corporates with Unisys tie-up
Group launches Digital Factory, offering digitalisation support and integration services for AR/VR, big data, blockchain, edge compute, and IoT. Move chimes with Business:2025 growth strategy.
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Network & InfrastructureJoosub fears Telkom will put spanner in SA spectrum works
Vodacom CEO hopeful that operator dialogue with ICASA can solve impasse on 4G/5G spectrum. However, Joosub thinks Telkom has a propensity to “delay or play games”.
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M&AVantage 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. Egyptian and Spanish assets remain in ...
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone shuffles international partnership team
Oversight of Partner Markets federation shifts to Vinod Kumar’s Vodafone Business division. Move comes with Vodafone seeking platforms for margin-friendly B2B growth, to improve cash flow.
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Network & InfrastructureGerman MNOs face “Herculean” flood recovery projects
O2, Telekom Deutschland, and Vodafone make headway in respective network restoration efforts after flash floods take out networks. Portable base stations plugging gaps left by damaged fibre.
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Network & InfrastructureVantage 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.