All TelcoTitans.com articles in Vodafonewatch #193
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PeoplewatchColao dismisses Ferrari driving seat rumours
Unexpected departure of Ferrari’s CEO sets the rumour mill in motion, with former Vodafone boss Colao mooted as one potential successor. Reports said to be baseless by source close to Colao.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: top level swaps for Greece, UK, and Vi
Vodafone UK CEO Jeffery to leave; veteran Essam to take his seat. Kate Beaumont joins from Samsung. Vi marks the end of its brand transformation with CMO appointment. Vantage Towers Greece names President in Exarchos.
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PeoplewatchVodafone UK CIO Brocklesby to depart
Chris Brocklesby to exit OpCo as of March. “External opportunity” comes calling. News comes a week after CEO Nick Jeffery bade farewell.
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PeoplewatchEngin Aksoy takes Vodafone Turkey top spot
Former Turkey Consumer CEO replaces promoted Froment-Curtil. Vodafone Turkey has third CEO in less than a year.
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PeoplewatchVodafone UK’s Petty sets sights on Group CTO job
Exec lays out vision of 5G-based telco resurgence, but warns Vodafone could become M&A prey if data monetisation puzzle remains unsolved.
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M&AVodafone Albania quietly plans second cableco buy
OpCo looking to add another string to its convergence bow through a takeover of cable TV player ApNet. Takeover another signal of continued Vodafone commitment to Albania despite recent exit rumours and suggestions by Group leadership that more asset sales could be in pipeline.
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Network & InfraSafaricom puts 5G on ice
Kenyan operator plans to focus on building its 4G business for now. Safaricom’s previous reliance on Huawei comes under spotlight amid ongoing US trade talks.
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Network & InfraAustralia’s mobile network operators pitch for 5G funding
TPG, Telstra, and Optus angle for lion’s share of spoils from the government’s Australian 5G Innovation Initiative. They caution against allocating funds to niche 5G projects and players, arguing it will produce poor returns on taxpayers’ money. Trio advocates MNO-led partnerships as best-suited applicants.
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Financial & PerformanceVi eyes $2bn cash injection
Reports suggest Vodafone’s Indian joint venture will announce funds from a consortium of investors imminently. Fundraising initiative began in September to ease Vi’s debt burden, with 4G expansion also expected to get a boost.
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Suppliers & SCMAltiostar flagged as supplier for Vodafone partner AST SpaceMobile
Vodafone signals plan to integrate SpaceMobile service with Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone offerings initially in DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
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Network & InfraVodafone 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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PremiumVodafone people moves: Deutsche Glasfaser taps Vodafone again
New MNC marketing head at Vodafone Business. Two more Vodafone Germany execs head to fibre altnet Deutsche Glasfaser. Vodafone Hungary appoints replacement Deputy CEO for pivoting Budai.
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OperationsTPG: no plans to drop Vodafone brand
Telco forced to clarify position on sub-brand strategy amid media speculation. Appointment of former Vodafone NZ exec to see refresh of brand strategy, with focus on driving better customer experience.
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PremiumVodafone Oman launch pushed back
Flagship greenfield alliance for Vodafone’s Partner Markets federation continuing to be hit by delays. Bureaucratic hurdle cleared, but launch still appears some months away.
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PremiumVodafone seeks end to Elliott battle over KDG
Group attempts to put more than seven years of hurt behind it at a cost of up to €2.12bn.
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M&AVodafone abandons Egypt exit talks
Long-awaited deal falls through, with STC apparently failing to reach an agreement with minority-owner Telecom Egypt. Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read remains philosophical after trekking to Egypt for talks with the President.
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PremiumElsewhere in Associates & JVs: Mitie takes Cornerstone contract
Consumer loan service in Egypt set for green light; Vi wants 2G open RAN; India continues to drag out tax dispute.
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PremiumVodafone goes big on LTE-M and man-to-machine comms
German debut suggests increasing Group enthusiasm for LTE-M, and leadership feeling that technology’s time is coming. CTO Mack describes the tech as the “next building block in our network”. OpCo highlights LTE-M use-cases around voice and mobility.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Group: R&D goes quantum
Group R&D enters quantum realm; Discovery tied on streaming; Vodafone Fiji eyeing regional expansion.
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Network & InfraVodacom SA files 4G/5G auction application
Much-delayed auction of spectrum licences still mired in controversy and legal action.