All TelcoTitans.com articles in Vodafonewatch #193
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Digital ReportsVodafonewatch Report #193 – January 2021
Key stories include: VPC chair talks transformation | From also ran to open RAN | Group Tech realigns for 2025 | TowerCo asserts independence | Ghana hand-off being mulled
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Strategy & ChangeVodafone said to be considering Ghanaian switcheroo
Possible offload to Vodacom said to be under consideration. Deal would chime with Group leadership’s bid to consolidate Africa and Europe power bases while improving financial position. Political complications likely to be a factor.
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OperationsVodafone’s Read: “pre-COVID office concept is gone”
Future Ready office pilots taking place in UK, Czechia, and Hungary. Nick Read outlines long-term policy changes implemented in response to the pandemic, with norms changed to support a “hybrid” work future. Distributed, regional model to promote diversity and inclusion.
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Financial & PerformanceGo-to-market stasis hits Talkmobile numbers
Vodafone UK’s in-house MVNO yet to report uplift from u-turn on customer acquisition and implementation of new platform.
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Strategy & ChangeEXCLUSIVE: Vodafone splits IT, networks to advance TechCo vision
New bifurcated tech network division of responsibilities. Group and OpCo trickle-down. Groundwork for delayed TechCo strategy and build-out. Promoted Scott Petty lays out vision of 5G-based telco resurgence, but warns Vodafone could become M&A prey if data monetisation puzzle remains unsolved. Further insight into Vodafone’s thinking behind 2025 tech ...
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodafone bolsters Partner Markets federation with MTS renewal
Russian group flags extension to long-standing Partner Markets agreement. Existing relationship billed as fruitful, with eyes now on further “joint projects”.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone ties with Euro peers in bid to scale open RAN
Group signs MoU with Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Telefónica. Aim is to generate greater economies of scale for smaller suppliers through common procurement parameters. Lobbying European governments for open RAN funding high on the agenda.
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Suppliers & SCMVPC’s Schultz sets cat managers among procurement pigeons
Manifesto that value chain orchestration is the new procurement norm ruffles some feathers. VPC Chairman upgrades procurement to ‘primary provider of business insight and foresight’.
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PeopleVantage 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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Content & TVCloud-based Vodafone TV platform rolls into Germany
Platform launch is one of multiple moves in German TV revamp. Start of migration appears to be happening several months behind schedule. Rollout solidifies Group strategy for TV technology platform.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone spectrum auctions to watch, 2021
Markets across Vodafone’s footprint have spectrum auctions planned in 2021. UK, India, Australia among the key bids to watch — though 2020 set a precedent for delays.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: banking products extended
Vodafone Ghana and Safaricom look to expand financial services offering with new products.
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Partnerships & AlliancesVodacom Tanzania fine-tuned for Mdundo music
Co-developed “proof of concept” lays groundwork for VdT digital media set expansion. Group enabling ambitious Kenya-based startup to broaden horizons in Africa.
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Innovation (R&D)Vodafone gains another drone inspection case study
EU initiative supports deployment of Vodafone-connected drone tech in Spain. Clearance given by authorities to fly unmanned aircrafts beyond 500m. Surveillance use-case comes to the fore — again.
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PremiumAmdocs extends its reach into Romania
Vodafone Romania to have deeper view of customer journeys in convergence drive. Amdocs continues to showcase its presence across the Group.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Spain flags Accenture deal
ho picks up pieces after data hack; One More Service sees partnerships in Spain (security) and Hungary (IoT).
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Network & InfrastructureVodacom SA files 4G/5G auction application
Much-delayed auction of spectrum licences still mired in controversy and legal action.
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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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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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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.