Category Archives: Vodafone
EE promises to raise its 4G speeds to 20 Mbit/s
Rating Has Ofcom handed EE too big an advantage?
Less than six months after it launched the UK’s first 4G mobile service (using 1800 MHz), EE has announced that it intends to double the speed and capacity of its 4G network in Q2-Q3 2013. At present, the average download rate of EE’s 4G service is around 10Mbit/s. The average download rate will therefore rise to around 20Mbit/s in 10 UK cities, starting with Cardiff. Industry reaction to this move has been pretty positive. It does raise the question of why Ofcom gave permission to EE to go ahead with 4G over 18 MHz – handing the Franco/German operator a massive advantage over its Hong Kong; British and Spanish rivals. Continue reading
OpenCloud selected by Vodafone Netherlands to support launch of LTE Services
Rhino deployed by Vodafone Netherlands to ensure continuity of operator services across Legacy and LTE standards
Press release
April 9th 2013. Telecoms software innovator, OpenCloud, has announced that Vodafone Netherlands has chosen its open-standards based Rhino products to support the forthcoming launch of Vodafone’s LTE services. OpenCloud’s support of the deployment of LTE services follows an agreement that was signed in December 2012. OpenCloud will supply Vodafone with its Rhino SIS service-broker/SCIM and Rhino Sentinel to help converge services between legacy GSM and LTE domains in order to ensure continuity of service for all Vodafone’s subscribers regardless of handset capabilities and LTE coverage. Continue reading
4G only very mildly interferes with TV in UK
Rating: Fewer problems than forecast with TV reception during 4G test
In the UK, at800 has just completed its first live test to help discover the extent to which Freeview (free digital TV) would be affected by 4G. In the UK, 4G mobile services operating at 800 MHz won’t be launched until later 2013. There are worries that cellular signals could clash with digital TV signals. at800 seems to have proved that these worries are largely unfounded. Continue reading
Vodafone’s shares surge to ten year high on day of wild rumours
Verizon forced into issuing statement on strategic plans
Fevered rumours about whether Vodafone might be bought outright by America’s Verizon Communications have been scotched, following a day in which the UK carrier’s share price swung wildly. In the first day of London trading since the Easter break, Vodafone’s share price shot from 186 pence to 198 pence before settling back at 192 pence. That was only after Verizon Communications was forced into issuing a statement insisting it had “no intention” of acquiring or merging with Vodafone, either alone or in conjunction with others. Continue reading
MNOs should fight back with their own VoIP & VoLTE services
Rating: Go with the flow and buy into ‘open’ ecosystem
It’s easy to forget that until very recently, voice was the key revenue generator for mobile network operators (MNOs). However, the voice call sector is now being fought over by numerous players, including OTT providers such as Skype and Viber. Plus Internet giants, Facebook, has just announced the availability of its VoIP application in the UK. However, there is an opportunity for MNOs to fight back by offering there own VoIP based services. Continue reading
Three growing faster than rivals despite absence of 4G
Also running at a profit for the first time
Britain’s fourth biggest mobile operator, Three (3UK), added 900,000 new customers in 2012 despite the threat of its rivals starting 4G networks months ahead of it. The carrier, owned by Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, says it now has 9.1 million subscribers and is growing at a faster rate that Vodafone, 02 and EE, even though they all have 19 million customers upwards. Continue reading
Vodafone shares set to rocket as US deal nudges closer
Blockbuster deal with Verizon could happen by summer
Shares in Vodafone are expected to surge when trading resumes today [25th March 2013] amid reports that its rumoured exit from its US joint venture Verizon Wireless is now definitely on the cards. According to The Sunday Times, the UK operator could bank as much as $135 billion (£88 billion) if the blockbuster deal goes ahead. Verizon Wireless is 45 per cent owned by the UK carrier, with the rest belonging to Verizon Communications which has repeatedly stated its desire to buy Vodafone’s stake. Continue reading
US phone giants could collaborate to carve up Vodafone
Verizon Communications could enlist the help of fellow US mobile giant AT&T if it does ultimately decide it wants to buy Britain’s Vodafone outright or just its stake in Verizon Wireless.
That’s the verdict of David Barden, a top analyst with Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, who says a $140 billion outright purchase will need a bit more financial muscle than Verizon currently has. Continue reading
Bad news for Vodafone’s F1 fans
Rating: 2013′s last chance to get in those McLaren pits
It seems that Vodafone has conclude a review of its global sponsorship deals. The good news is that the mobile operator has discovered almost ubiquitous (90 per cent) awareness of the Vodafone brand in all markets where the company operates. Now for the bad news, fellow Formula One racing fans. Vodafone will end its engagement with the McLaren F1 team after the conclusion of the 2013 season. So, if you’ve been hoping to win one of Vodafone’s VIP days out to Silverstone (where the British F1 race is held), you better get your skates on because 2013 is your last chance. Continue reading
UK hedge fund urges Vodafone to sell itself to US partner
British hedge fund manager Bronte Capital is adding to the pressure on Vodafone to resolve its ties with Verizon Communications, suggesting the time is ripe for the UK carrier to sell itself to its American partner.
In recent weeks Vodafone’s share price has yo-yo’d amid speculation that Verizon wanted to buy out Vodafone’s 45 per cent stake in their joint US mobile venture, Verizon Wireless. Continue reading
Nokia’s failings cut CEO’s pay packet in half
Sluggish sales of Windows phones to blame
Finnish manufacturer Nokia has slashed in half the earnings of its CEO Stephen Elop as it battles to restore its fortunes. The former Microsoft executive received €4.3 million in cash and stock options last year [2012], according to US regulatory filings, down by 45 per cent from €7.9 million in 2011 when he received a €2 million “golden handshake” to join the phone giant. Continue reading
O2 revenues continue to spiral down
Britain’s second biggest mobile carrier O2 witnessed an 8.5 per cent drop in revenues in Q4 2012, despite signing up 282,000 new customers over the period – more than either of its main two rivals.
It’s the second successive drop for the carrier, owned by Spain’s Telefonica, which blamed the Q3 drop on customers delaying renewal of contracts ahead of Apple’s iPhone 5 launch. Continue reading
Vodafone hires leading Google exec Omid Kordestani
Rating: Builds businesses as well as insider Google knowledge
We’re not sure whether Vodafone wants him for his expertise in building businesses or whether they want someone with a clear insight into the search sector. However, Vodafone has appointed Google’s 11th employee, Omid Kordestani, as a non-executive director. Kordestani has held positions in mobile orientated companies before but in ten years, he led Google’s business operations from its inception to a business generating over $20 billion in revenues with over 12,000 employees. No small feat. Continue reading
Loose talk blamed for torpedoing Vodafone’s German deal
Value of Kabel Deutschland soared once word got out
Plans by Vodafone to buy German cable operator, Kabel Deutschland, have been put on ice, following widespread leaks about the deal which are thought to have thrown a spanner in the works. At one point it had been suggested Vodafone had already appointed bankers to advise on the acquisition, though earlier this week CEO Vittorio Colao refused to be drawn further about the bid. Continue reading
