Vodafone Regulatory & Compliance – Page 9
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Suppliers & SCMUK tightens screws on telcos over Huawei
Government plans to tackle lack of diversity in upcoming new 5G strategy.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom still keen on Ethiopia entry
Safaricom blocked from operating fintech service in Ethiopia, potentially making case for entry shakier, but operator reaffirms Ethiopian commitment and intention to enter bidding war. ECA offers spectrum auction update, amid escalating regional conflict.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Vodacom in SA and Tanzanian trouble
Vodacom reportedly tangled in murder scandal in South Africa, and taking political fire over Tanzanian election.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Portugal threatens to boycott 5G auction
Objections to auction terms favouring new entrant. Complaints escalated to Brussels, and R&D centre plans reconsidered. Other European auction processes continue to be clouded by traditional operator–regulator machinations, with COVID–19 and trade tensions adding to mix.
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M&AVodafone gets India tax break from The Hague
International arbitration court rules against India in long-running tax dispute surrounding 2007 Hutchison Essar acquisition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government reportedly mulling an appeal, pending legal advice. In separate tax news, India’s Supreme Court calls for ten-year payback period on outstanding AGR dues.
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Public AffairsHuawei on retreat as US dials up European pressure
German coalition cabinet reportedly approves measures in IT security bill that, if passed, will effectively ban Huawei from 5G RAN market. Revision looks set to hurt Vodafone’s planning in largest market. Vodafone Greece also looks set for disruption as Pompeo visit increases pressure for a local ban.
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Public AffairsRead rails against states flouting EU law
Group CEO used a sponsored posting on the Politico website to demand, once again, a level playing field for Europe’s telecoms players, while bemoaning steps taken by several EU governments to sidestep European competition legislation. Article does not suggest Read’s bid for a reset of regulatory relations in Europe ...
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PremiumAirtel–Telkom merger falls through
Let-off for Safaricom as its two major mobile competitors remain marooned in sub-scale no-mans-land.
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Public AffairsVodacom’s Congo CFO gets out of jail
Chutoo endures four-day stint behind bars. CFO reportedly quizzed on allegations of “forgery” and “falsification of financial statements”; but no formal charges. Vodacom DRC expresses surprise.
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PremiumHuawei woes add to Vodafone Idea pressure
JV forced to consider other options for 5G network. India looks set to tacitly ban use of Chinese equipment. New fundraising efforts on the horizon following AGR decision.
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Partnerships & AlliancesO2 Germany still waiting on cable delivery
VfD yet to follow through with commitments made to secure Unitymedia acquisition, while rivals maintain objections to the deal.
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M&AVodafone Egypt sale reaches impasse; adverse event or powerplay?
Vodafone and stc ‘keep the dialogue open’ as MoU expires. Telecom Egypt denies it has a role in enabling deal, but Vodafone’s dysfunctional local partnership appears to be complicating matters again.
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M&AVodafone decries Italian broadband plan
Italy’s plan to create a single national broadband network moves closer, but deal still has some hurdles to overcome and Vodafone CEO Read signals he is opposed. Beyond broadband network, project might include 5G, edge computing, cloud and data centres, creating further strategic complexity for Vodafone’s Italian interests.
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PremiumInfratel–Indus Towers merger remains in limbo
Deal, agreed more than two years ago, continues to be clouded in uncertainty. Latest delay likely related to uncertainty over Vodafone Idea’s payment of AGR dues. Bharti Infratel chairman confident of favourable ruling from Supreme Court, and that Vodafone will “definitely stay” in India.
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Financial & PerformanceJio turns into Vodafone Idea’s worst digital nightmare
Massive Google investment underscores both Jio’s domination and its ambition to develop wide range of popular digital services. Who’s Who of foreign investors, which includes digital-savvy Facebook, now accounts for nearly a third of Jio Platform equity. Vodafone’s long-term outlook in India looks even more perilous than before, after ...
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M&AVHA starts new slate as TPG Telecom
Berroeta keeps CEO role post-merger; Teoh watches on closely as non-executive Chairman. Mobile and fixed network “synergies” a priority. Vodafone brand sits alongside slew of TPG sub-brands.
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Public AffairsSA preps plunger for 4G/5G spectrum blockage
Vodacom’s long wait for more network resource in its home market appears to be coming to an end, although false starts have been seen before in SA.
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M&AEU: Vestager nod set to prompt regional consolidation race
Vestager distracts from four-to-three merger demands by highlighting potential for creation of pan-European big beasts. But is this feasible in any imminent iteration of Europe, beyond cross-border infrastructure ventures envisaged by Orange?
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone Idea to trial drone-based food delivery
VfI joins ClearSky consortium to test BVLOS drone operations with Airmap, Curl Analytics, TechEagle, and Zomato. Indian regulator targets commercialisation of drone flights with 13 POCs from cross-industry consortia.
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Public AffairsVodacom: 2019 arrests in Tanzania were “troubling”
Shockwaves have evidently not yet subsided from strikingly severe treatment of executives in April 2019 incident.