All articles by Vodafonewatch – Page 13
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PremiumVantage may be set for new Cornerstone allies
Indications that O2 UK’s Cornerstone stake seen as non-strategic by prospective new co-parent Liberty Global, and could be jettisoned in name of post-merger “national champion” plan. Sale would raise cash for higher strategic ambition of fibre expansion. Liberty’s Fries shows willingness to get hands-on in refashioning VM–O2 post-merger. The ...
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PremiumSafaricom upgrades order management software
Longstanding partner Celfocus said it has implemented a ‘master orchestrator’ to improve order processing.
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Venturing & InvestmentsElsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: TPG set for FWA launch; Vi shifting away from Huawei
TPG set for FWA launch; Vi transitioning away from Huawei; INWIT agrees to equip Milan metro with 5G-friendly DAS technology.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s data centre refresh
Safaricom plans data centre refresh; Millicom backs out of Tanzania.
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Premium3G sunsets accelerate amid re-farming push
After Germany and the Netherlands, more Vodafone businesses are laying out plans to repurpose 3G spectrum for 4G and 5G networks.
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PremiumVodafone ties with O2 to tidy up mid-band spectrum
Ofcom closes assignment stage of UK spectrum auction with Vodafone trading blocks with O2, while BT opted to buy preferable positions outright. Vodafone–O2 swap ensures contiguous spectrum blocks in 5G-ready bands.
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Public AffairsSees.ai gets all-clear for BVLOS drone flights
VfUK drone partner achieves UK-first permission. Tests to be carried out at three nominated sites. OpCo flags separate drone trial collaboration with Ericsson and Lidar tech for remote cell site inspections.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: Deegan questions Spain's 5G investment policy
5G- and VR-powered maintenance deal on Italy’s railways; call for network investment reform in Spain.
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PremiumVodafone Germany switches on standalone 5G
“LTE training wheels” are off in Europe’s first 5G SA network. Ericsson, Nokia, OPPO, and Qualcomm share 5G limelight. VfD ushers in low latency and network slicing. Ten 5G data centres by 2023.
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PremiumTPG to lead hybrid shared network trials
Proof-of-concept testing now underway in New South Wales, with TPG Telecom named “lead mobile network operator”. Nokia and Optus involved. Decade-long ambition to build multi-operator network now has 2023 launch date.
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Products & ServicesVodafone Italy’s GameNow goes live
Edge-based gaming platform was first announced in September 2019.
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Digital ReportsVodafonewatch Report #195 – April 2021
Key stories include: Della Valle on driving digitisation | Vodafone Business resets for 2025 | VPC eyes new partnership models | MVNOs come back into fashion | Joosub hints at M-PESA rejig
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Vip Mobile adopts A1 marque; MTS partners Ericsson on 5G lab
Developments from around Vodafone’s soft-power network; A1 Telekom’s Serbian unit adopts A1 marque; MTS partners Ericsson on 5G lab.
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PremiumTelefónica, Vodafone linked with Serbian tie-up
Duo namechecked by Serbian operator’s CEO as potential partners, and enablers of service-based expansion strategy. Partner Markets and Partners Program offer route to outside markets.
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PremiumVi keeps tight rein on spectrum spending
As expected, Indian JV is by far the lowest spender in India’s recent multi-band spectrum auction. All three operators shun 5G-friendly 700MHz spectrum because of high reserve price.
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Suppliers & SCMEricsson joins team on Safaricom’s backhaul refresh
Deal sees Safaricom expanding focus on E-band microwave for bandwidth boost. Ericsson joins Aviat Networks in declaring participation in Safaricom’s 5G-era network programme.
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Suppliers & SCMVodafone Romania picks ADVA, Edgecore for DCSG
OpCo completes “open IP routing” trial across seven sites. CTO hails pilot a “smooth introduction” to disaggregated networks.
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PremiumVodafone UK secures mid-band 5G spectrum
OpCo decides against buying low-band airwaves as it intends to refarm 900MHz for 5G. Total amount raised is below expectations, indicating lack of appetite among operators for bidding war.
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PremiumVodafone 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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PremiumColao proposes 1Gbps for all Italians by 2026
Minister for Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao outlines his ambitions for Italy’s economic recovery. Rapid roll out of gigabit broadband is essential to the plan. But the stalled national broadband network plan must be resolved soon.