Vodafone Regulatory & Compliance – Page 8
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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 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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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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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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Public AffairsVodafone takes political heat over customer complaints
Ministers scold eir and Vodafone Ireland for poor customer service during pandemic. Following meetings, outage disrupts VfIr data services.
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Network & InfrastructureVodafone Portugal grudgingly files 5G auction application
Portuguese OpCo indicates legal battle over auction rules is ongoing.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Europe: 5G tested across the bloc
German rivals jump on campus bandwagon; physical and digital security launches; 5G use-cases explored in Netherlands, Spain, and UK.
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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.