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Tag: Vodafone

  • India Approves Xavier Niel’s €5.1 Billion Vodafone Stake Acquisition

    India Approves Xavier Niel’s €5.1 Billion Vodafone Stake Acquisition

    The Competition Commission of India on Friday approved French billionaire Xavier Niel’s acquisition of a 16.2 per cent stake in Vodafone Group for approximately €5.1 billion.

    Niel’s family investment vehicle, Vega SAS, bought the holding from Emirates Telecommunications Group, positioning the French executive as the British telecom carrier’s single largest shareholder once the transaction closes.

    Vega SAS operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of French-incorporated Maya SAS. While Vega SAS maintains no direct operating assets in India, the transaction triggered regulatory review due to Vodafone Group’s local joint venture, Vodafone Idea Ltd. Indian merger control regulations mandate clearance for offshore ownership changes that cross statutory revenue or asset thresholds affecting domestic market competition.

    Regulatory Gateways and Domestic Telecom

    The transaction required formal sign-off because Vodafone Idea remains one of India’s three primary private mobile network operators. Any shift in ultimate ownership among its primary foreign backers draws regulatory scrutiny over domestic market structure, spectrum stewardship and corporate control.

    Niel founded French telecommunications group Iliad, which disrupted continental Europe through low-cost mobile contracts and bundled broadband packages. Bringing an aggressive telecom operator into Vodafone’s apex ownership structure introduces a distinct operating philosophy to a carrier balancing heavy capital outlays across its global network.

    Divestments and Portfolio Consolidation

    Vodafone Group has spent recent years unwinding underperforming European operations to cut debt. The group agreed to exit operations in Italy and Spain, sold its 50 per cent stake in a Dutch joint venture, and pursued a merger with Three to form the largest mobile operator in the United Kingdom.

    Those portfolio sales narrowed Vodafone’s geographic focus while leaving its emerging market holdings under persistent capital pressure. India represents Vodafone’s most complex exposure, where Vodafone Idea continues to balance legacy government dues against the need for network equipment upgrades.

    Agreement Terms and Indian Clearances

    The stake purchase formalises an arrangement struck in July, when Vega SAS entered into a binding deal with Emirates Telecommunications Group to take over the position. Emirates Telecommunications had built its holding over successive market purchases before agreeing to transfer the block to Niel’s investment vehicle.

    Alongside the Vodafone decision, the Competition Commission cleared corporate acquisitions in renewable energy and infrastructure. The regulator approved Aditya Birla Renewables’ purchase of Solenergi Power from Shell Overseas Investment BV, alongside Adani Energy Solutions’ full buyout of IntelliSmart Infrastructure from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd.

    Completion of the transaction now rests on final closing procedures between Vega SAS and Emirates Telecommunications Group following the clearance.

  • Telcos Struggle to Scale AI as Only 13 per Cent Reach Production

    Telcos Struggle to Scale AI as Only 13 per Cent Reach Production

    Communications service providers have deployed artificial intelligence across dozens of operational trials, but only 13 per cent of operators have successfully scaled those deployments into full production environments.

    The deployment bottleneck persists even though nearly 75 per cent of companies report positive results during initial pilot phases, exposing structural friction inside legacy telecom IT stacks.

    Industry consortium TM Forum and regional operators will address the operational divide on November 5 during a joint technical briefing on autonomous network infrastructure and agentic customer experience. The session brings together Joann O’Brien, vice president of composable IT and ecosystems at TM Forum, alongside Seetha Gurunathan, global head of strategy and transformation at Vodafone, Shekhar Kulkarni, chief IT architect at Deutsche Telekom, and Seshan Krishnamurthi, vice president for Africa and Central Europe at Covalense Digital.

    The Bottleneck in Monolithic Billing Systems

    Legacy business support systems remain the central roadblock for carrier monetization. Traditional billing architectures were engineered for static monthly invoicing rather than real-time micro-transactions, non-terrestrial satellite network access, or dynamic algorithmic pricing.

    When carriers attempt to bolt generative or agentic intelligence onto these rigid systems, integration costs surge and transaction speeds falter. The industry push now centers on replacing monolithic enterprise software with modular, cloud-native components communicating through standardized application programming interfaces.

    Moving from Reactive Chatbots to Agentic Systems

    Customer service operations represent the initial testing ground for carrier autonomy. Early deployments relied on basic script-based chatbots that answered recurring billing queries, but network operators are now testing autonomous software agents capable of executing account modifications and diagnosing network faults without human intervention.

    Giving software agents execution authority introduces operational liabilities. Carriers must balance automated problem resolution against transactional accuracy, data compliance, and consumer trust across diverse regulatory jurisdictions.

    Standardizing Open Architecture Across Vendors

    Multi-vendor integration requires common software standards across global supply chains. TM Forum is pushing its Open Digital Architecture framework to establish interoperable, plug-and-play IT components that prevent telecom operators from locking themselves into single-vendor software suites.

    Standardized interfaces allow operators to deploy machine-learning models from independent software vendors directly into existing network workflows. Without open architecture standards, every software upgrade requires bespoke systems integration that slows time-to-market.

    Measuring Returns on AI Capital Expenditures

    Telecom operators face mounting investor pressure to justify heavy capital allocations to digital transformation projects. Evaluating returns requires a metrics framework that tracks real operational expenditure cuts, customer churn rates, and service provisioning speeds alongside headline revenue gains.

    Network operators will test whether these modular architectures can deliver measurable financial returns when the industry reviews production deployments in the upcoming operational cycle.

  • TPG Telecom Ordered to Pay A$1 Million After Sydney Store Attack

    TPG Telecom Ordered to Pay A$1 Million After Sydney Store Attack

    New South Wales District Court ordered TPG Telecom to pay A$1,006,996.29 in damages after an assailant attacked a store worker with a makeshift blowtorch in Sydney.

    The ruling establishes direct corporate liability for failing to deploy physical security guards at a shop recording five times the national network average for customer aggression.

    The Incident at Macarthur Square

    Proceedings stem from a November 22, 2019 assault on Vodafone store employee Damir Lepan at Campbelltown Macarthur Square. Lepan dealt with an aggressive customer who left the shop. The man returned several hours later carrying an aerosol deodorant can and a cigarette lighter.

    The assailant ignited the spray into Lepan’s face, burning his head and arm. Debilitating psychiatric trauma prevented him from returning to work. Lepan sued TPG Telecom under the Workers Compensation Act 1997 for past and future economic losses, arguing the company breached its duty of care through inadequate physical security.

    Flaws in Remote Monitoring Systems

    TPG Telecom relied on an under-counter duress alarm connected to a remote monitoring centre. Offsite operators reviewed CCTV feeds before contacting emergency services or dispatching guards.

    District Court Judge Paul Fitzsimmons rejected remote monitoring for high-risk retail sites. Evidence showed a 2017 incident at the store, where a customer threatened to slit an employee’s throat, took offsite security up to 15 minutes to respond. TPG Telecom national security manager Michael Jackson conceded during testimony that a uniformed guard deters attackers better than offsite cameras.

    Legal Fallout for Store Operators

    Court findings showed the Macarthur Square outlet was a clear statistical outlier across Vodafone’s national network, making violent encounters foreseeable. Fitzsimmons ruled that store workers were ill-equipped to manage hostile shoppers without dedicated onsite personnel.

    Retail chains relying on remote electronic monitoring to cut costs face direct legal exposure. Landlords and retail operators across Australia risk liability if they fail to staff known problem locations with physical guards, regardless of existing alarm systems.

    TPG Telecom introduced part-time guard coverage for four days across a two-week period following the 2019 attack. The A$1,006,996.29 award covers Lepan’s lost earnings, superannuation entitlements, and compensation tax liabilities.

  • Supreme Court Allows Reassessment of Vodafone Idea’s AGR Dues: A Win for 200 Million Consumers

    Supreme Court Allows Reassessment of Vodafone Idea’s AGR Dues: A Win for 200 Million Consumers

    Vodafone Idea (Vi) recently experienced a substantial win in the Supreme Court after the government agreed to revisit its request for additional adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues from the corporation. The government’s decision is expected to be in accordance with the law.

    Government’s Interest in Vi

    Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General representing the Union government, presented the case before a bench chaired by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai. Mehta noted an extensive shift in circumstances since the most recent AGR litigation involving Vi in the Supreme Court.

    He informed the Court of the government’s significant 49% equity investment in the company, suggesting that the government’s interests were now tightly intertwined with those of the company and, in turn, the public. He added that the company’s decisions directly affect its 200 million consumers, and the government intended to thoroughly examine any issues, such as over-invoicing, to ensure they are adequately addressed.

    Entering the “Policy Domain”

    According to the Court, the matter has transitioned into the “policy domain” due to the government’s substantial equity investment and the involvement of 200 million customers. The Court had no objections to the government’s decision to revisit its demand for additional AGR dues for the fiscal year 2016-2017 and to make an appropriate decision that would serve the larger public interest.

    Vi’s Appeal to the Supreme Court

    Vi had approached the Supreme Court to contest the additional AGR demand issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the 2016-2017 period. The corporation argued that the liabilities had already been calculated and shouldn’t be altered or increased. It sought the Court’s dismissal of the additional DoT demand and requested a comprehensive reassessment and reconciliation of AGR dues up until FY 2016-17.

    Previous Rejections

    This most recent litigation follows only months after the Supreme Court denied earlier appeals by Bharti Airtel, Vi, and Tata Teleservices. These companies were seeking relief from paying interest on dues, penalties, and interest on penalties related to their AGR liabilities, citing significant financial constraints.

    In its May verdict, the Supreme Court labelled their pleas as “misconceived.” The Chief Justice had previously stressed the necessity for a conclusion in the AGR litigation. About a year ago, the Supreme Court rejected a curative petition filed by telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel and Vi, against the court’s October 2019 ruling that upheld the DoT’s move to recover approximately INR 92,000 crore in AGR from them.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the government’s stake in Vi?
    The government holds a significant 49% equity investment in Vi.

    What significant shift in circumstances was noted by the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta?
    Tushar Mehta observed a major change in circumstances since the last AGR litigation involving Vi in the Supreme Court, particularly the government’s large equity investment in the company.

    What was Vi’s argument to the Supreme Court against the additional AGR demand?
    Vi argued that the liabilities had already been calculated and should not be altered or increased. The company sought a comprehensive reassessment and reconciliation of AGR dues up until FY 2016-17.

  • Vodafone Idea and IBM Unveil Exciting New AI Innovation Hub to Transform Retail Experience

    Vodafone Idea and IBM Unveil Exciting New AI Innovation Hub to Transform Retail Experience

    Vodafone Idea (Vi) is embarking on a transformative journey, partnering with IBM to streamline its operations and enhance customer experiences through cutting-edge technology. This strategic alliance aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and a unified DevOps model, ultimately accelerating Vi’s digital initiatives.

    Navigating the Digital Landscape with an AI Innovation Hub

    At the heart of this initiative lies the newly established AI Innovation Hub, designed to continually modernize Vi’s IT and business processes. This hub will unite experts from both Vi and IBM Consulting, who will co-develop AI solutions, automation tools, and digital accelerators utilizing IBM’s state-of-the-art AI technologies. The collaboration will ensure seamless integration of AI into Vi’s development and operational frameworks, forging new pathways for efficiency.

    Commitment to Intelligent Innovation

    Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer of Vodafone Idea Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with IBM marks a pivotal milestone in Vi’s digital journey. It reflects our commitment to AI-led innovation and our ambition to drive accelerated growth through intelligent decision-making and automation. The AI Innovation Hub will play a critical role in modernizing our operations and expediting our go-to-market execution of critical business initiatives through faster software development cycles, setting new benchmarks for the telecom industry.”

    Enhancing Agility and Exploring New Horizons

    This alliance is not merely about technology; it’s also about envisioning smarter digital experiences and enhancing IT agility to tap into new revenue streams. By leveraging IBM’s extensive global partner ecosystem and industry expertise, Vi aims to reinforce its long-term digital resilience while driving ongoing innovation.

    IBM’s Role in India’s Telecom Evolution

    Juhi McClelland, Managing Partner at IBM Consulting for Asia Pacific, highlighted the significance of their collaboration with Vi, stating, “India’s telecom sector stands at the crossroads of surging data consumption, rapid digital transformation, and large-scale 5G deployments. Our collaboration with Vi allows IBM to serve as a strategic enabler to help modernize the organization’s IT ecosystem and fast-track their digital transformation.” The AI Innovation Hub exemplifies the potential of co-creation, as IBM consultants lend their expertise to build a future-ready digital foundation.

    Strengthening a Long-Standing Partnership

    Rishi Aurora, Managing Partner at IBM Consulting India & South Asia, noted that their partnership with Vi spans more than 17 years. “This recent collaboration marks a significant step in redefining how AI and automation can transform telecom operations at scale. With the AI Innovation Hub and unified DevOps execution, we’re bringing together the best of IBM’s global expertise to help Vi deliver superior customer experiences, drive innovation, and strengthen digital resilience for the future.”

    With these collaborative efforts, Vi is set to design and adopt rapid and seamless digital experiences, underscoring the pivotal role of AI in enhancing customer-focused service delivery. As this partnership unfolds, the telecom landscape in India may soon witness a blend of creativity and technology that could spark a revolution.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main goal of Vi’s partnership with IBM?
    The partnership aims to optimize operations, enhance service reliability, improve customer experiences, and accelerate digital initiatives using AI and a unified DevOps model.

    How will the AI Innovation Hub benefit Vi?
    The AI Innovation Hub will modernize Vi’s IT and business processes by co-developing advanced AI solutions and automation tools with expertise from both Vi and IBM Consulting.

    What does this collaboration signify for the future of India’s telecom sector?
    This collaboration positions IBM as a strategic enabler for Vi, helping to modernize its IT ecosystem, enhance operational efficiencies, and fast-track digital transformation amidst rising data consumption and 5G deployments.

  • Vodafone Idea Expands 5G Network to 23 New Cities – What It Means for Customers!

    Vodafone Idea Expands 5G Network to 23 New Cities – What It Means for Customers!

    Vodafone Idea (Vi) is on an ambitious path to strengthen its 5G network, announcing plans to expand services to 23 additional cities across India. The targeted cities for this rollout include prominent locations like Ahmedabad, Agra, Aurangabad, Kozhikode, Cochin, Dehradun, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, and many more, demonstrating the company’s commitment to improving connectivity in both urban and semi-urban areas.

    Building on Recent Success

    This latest announcement follows the successful launch of 5G services in major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Patna, marking a significant step in Vi’s strategy to cover 17 key regions where it holds 5G spectrum rights.

    Innovation Through Collaboration

    To enhance its network capabilities, Vodafone Idea is not just resting on its laurels. The company is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) through self-organizing networks (SON) and is teaming up with industry giants including Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung. This collaboration aims to boost both its 4G and 5G infrastructures, aptly showcasing how partnerships can supercharge technological advancements in the sector.

    CTO’s Vision for the Future

    Jagbir Singh, CTO of Vodafone Idea, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing rollout. “Our 5G rollout is progressing steadily in a phased manner, and we’re excited to bring next-gen connectivity to more users. At the same time, we’re strengthening our 4G network to ensure a seamless experience for our users. With enhanced indoor coverage, increased capacity, and 84% population coverage with our 4G network, we remain focused on delivering superior digital experiences to Vi users,” he noted. It’s a promise that not only aims to keep users connected but also to enhance their overall digital experience — because who wouldn’t want to binge-watch their favorite shows in superfast 5G?

    Questions & Answers

    What cities will see the expansion of Vodafone Idea’s 5G network?
    Vodafone Idea plans to expand its 5G network to 23 cities, including Ahmedabad, Agra, Aurangabad, Kozhikode, and Kolkata, among others.

    What technology does Vodafone Idea employ to enhance its networks?
    The company is utilizing AI-based self-organizing networks (SON) and collaborating with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung to bolster both its 4G and 5G networks.

    What is the current coverage of Vodafone Idea’s 4G network?
    Vodafone Idea boasts an impressive 84% population coverage with its 4G network, aiming to provide a seamless experience for its users.

  • Vodafone Idea and AST SpaceMobile Launch Groundbreaking D2D Satellite Connectivity in India

    Vodafone Idea and AST SpaceMobile Launch Groundbreaking D2D Satellite Connectivity in India

    Vodafone Idea (Vi) is set to embrace a new frontier in connectivity by partnering with U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile to roll out direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity in India. This bold move places Vi in a strategic race alongside competitors Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which have recently struck deals with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to deliver Starlink services to Indian consumers.

    Innovative Satellite Solution for Enhanced Connectivity

    The partnership aims to synergize Vi’s extensive mobile network with AST’s state-of-the-art satellite technology, allowing users to receive signals directly to their standard smartphones—no special apps or hardware needed. While most smartphones aren’t currently equipped to communicate with low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, AST’s innovative approach aspires to change that dynamic.

    Building a Breakthrough Communication Network

    Together, the companies will create the ‘SpaceMobile Satellite System,’ a revolutionary space-based cellular broadband network intended to expand Vi’s reach into remote and inaccessible areas. AST SpaceMobile will oversee the design, manufacture, and management of the satellite constellation, while Vi will manage spectrum operations and regulatory access in India, seamlessly integrating satellite capabilities into its terrestrial network.

    “Vi is committed to harnessing technology to connect every Indian, and we view satellite communication as an essential enhancement to terrestrial connectivity,” remarked Avneesh Khosla, Chief Marketing Officer at Vi. He expressed enthusiasm about ushering in a new era of reliable connectivity through this innovative solution.

    Addressing Diverse Market Needs

    The partnership between AST and Vi extends beyond connectivity, as they plan to co-develop commercial solutions targeting various sectors, including consumer mobile, enterprise services, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. “India, with its vast and dynamic telecom market, is the ideal place to demonstrate how our space-based cellular broadband can seamlessly complement terrestrial networks,” noted Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer of AST SpaceMobile. He added, “We’re not just expanding coverage; we’re breaking down barriers to connectivity, making it possible for everyday smartphones to connect to 4G and 5G networks directly from space.”

    AST SpaceMobile envisions deploying 60 LEO satellites between 2025 and 2026, with ambitions stretching to markets like the United States, Europe, Japan, and of course, India. While Starlink boasts a significantly larger fleet of over 6,000 satellites, AST’s direct smartphone connectivity focus offers a compelling and unique advantage.

    Sky’s the Limit for India’s Mobile Users

    With India’s mobile subscriber base soaring past 1.1 billion—predominantly making use of 4G and emerging 5G networks—satellite connectivity promises to extend services into rugged terrains and remote locations, thus becoming a crucial support to the existing ground networks. As they say, in the world of connectivity, the sky may not be the limit—it could be just the beginning.

    Questions & Answers

    How will the partnership between Vi and AST SpaceMobile enhance mobile connectivity in India?
    The partnership will integrate Vi’s network with AST’s satellite technology, enabling direct connectivity to smartphones, thereby expanding coverage in remote and challenging locations.

    What unique advantage does AST SpaceMobile offer compared to Starlink?
    AST SpaceMobile focuses on direct-to-device satellite connectivity, allowing standard smartphones to access 4G and 5G networks directly from space, offering a unique proposition in the market.

    When does AST SpaceMobile plan to deploy its satellites, and how many will there be?
    AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy 60 low-Earth orbit satellites between 2025 and 2026, targeting regions including the United States, Europe, Japan, and India.

  • Vodafone Idea Launches AI-Powered Spam Detection Solution

    Vodafone Idea Launches AI-Powered Spam Detection Solution

    ages, according to a statement from the company on Monday.

    “As more customers embrace digital communication, we recognize the growing threat posed by SMS-based spams and potential scam attempts,” said Jagbir Singh, CTO, Vodafone Idea Limited.

    “Our AI-powered spam detection technology reinforces our commitment to customer safety by delivering proactive, real-time protection,” he added.

    Vi’s AI algorithms are trained on millions of SMS examples to detect potential threats, such as fraudulent links, unauthorized promotions, and identity theft attempts. The predictive AI system learns from patterns in incoming data, including phishing links, unusual sender information, and common spam phrases, improving its detection accuracy over time.

    In September, Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom service provider, introduced an AI-powered solution to notify smartphone users about potential spam messages. Airtel’s solution analyzes one trillion records in real time and has demonstrated its ability to accurately predict more than 99% of spam messages and 97% of spam calls, according to the company.

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  • UK carrier Vodafone achieves its fastest speeds

    UK carrier Vodafone achieves its fastest speeds

    UK carrier Vodafone has accomplished yet another milestone. In a new blog post, the mobile operator announced that it achieved its fastest-ever speed throughout the home during a trial with CityFibre — a company that owns, operates, and maintains fiber-to-the-building infrastructure in cities throughout the UK.

    Thanks to CityFibre’s upgrade of its York network to XGS-PON, which should be able to support speeds of up to 10Gbps, and Vodafone’s Ultra Hub modem and Super WiFi 6E Booster, the carrier’s Pro II Broadband plan managed to reach broadband speeds of up to 2Gbps. Vodafone stated that these speeds are twice as fast as the fastest services currently available on CityFibre’s network.

    But what does that mean for the end user? Well, with a 2Gbps Full Fiber service, you can download a 50GB game on your console in around three minutes and 20 seconds, which is more than 50% faster than Vodafone’s 910Mbps broadband. Or, if you prefer watching TV series, you can download a 3.53GB HD TV show in about 15 seconds, which is just incredible.

    However, in order to fully take advantage of such a fast broadband connection, you also need a powerful smartphone. And if you are in the market for one, feel free to check out our best Vodafone phone deals article and get one from there with a great discount. In case you are rocking with another carrier, you can see our best O2 phone deals, best Three phone deals, best EE phone deals, and best Virgin Media deals articles.

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  • Vodafone launches Business Pro II, broadband made for small businesses

    Vodafone launches Business Pro II, broadband made for small businesses

    If you have a small business in the UK and need a new broadband connection, you might want to check out Vodafone’s latest offering. As the mobile operator announced in a blog post, it has launched a new broadband service called Business Pro II.

    Depending on the tariff, Business Pro II has average download speeds ranging from 67Mbps to 900Mbps. It starts at £32.50 a month — for the 67Mbp plan — and can go up to £53.50 — for the 900Mbps tier. Business Pro II customers also receive free unlimited landline and mobile calls, 4G backup, and Wi-Fi support from technical experts.

    Something that distinguishes the Business Pro II from the rest of Vodafone’s business broadband options is that it comes with Vodafone’s Ultra Hub router and Super Wi-Fi 6E Booster — a device you can use to eliminate Wi-Fi dead zone

    Both the router and the booster support the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology and let you connect over 150 devices simultaneously. Wi-Fi 6E offers faster speeds, and since devices that support it utilize the still-uncongested 6GHz frequency, you should also have a more reliable connection with less interference when using Vodafone’s Ultra Hub router and Super WiFi 6E Booster.

    Only new and existing small business customers with between one and nine employees can sign up for Vodafone’s Business Pro II broadband. If your company is eligible and you want to get Business Pro II broadband, dial 191 from your Vodafone mobile, go to a retail store, or visit Vodafone’s official website.

    In case you want a new phone as well, feel free to check out our best Vodafone phone deals and get one from there with an amazing discount. Or, if you are rolling with another carrier, you can visit our top Virgin Media phone deals, best O2 phone deals, best Three phone deals, and best EE phone deals.

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  • Vodafone and Kacific Partner for Satellite Mobile Backhaul in Papua New Guinea

    Vodafone and Kacific Partner for Satellite Mobile Backhaul in Papua New Guinea

    Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific) has partnered with Vodafone PNG to deploy the satellite operator’s mobile backhaul services, helping to greatly expand Vodafone PNG’s voice and 3G/4G data network into rural areas of Papua New Guinea.

    Vodafone PNG, based in Papua New Guinea and part of the Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) Group of companies from Fiji, successfully launched in April 2022, disrupting the nation’s telecommunications market. It is now in the process of rapidly expanding its network and customer base.

    Vodafone PNG has committed to wholesale bandwidth delivered by Kacific’s high-speed Ka-band satellite, Kacific1. The cost-effective mobile backhaul bandwidth will primarily be used for voice and data and will serve both residential and enterprise end-users.

    “Kacific and Vodafone PNG see huge potential for growth in Papua New Guinea, as well as a genuine thirst from the country’s citizens for affordable and reliable mobile and data services. Together, we aim to disrupt the market in a way that brings more choice and better connectivity to everyday people,” says Brandon Seir, chief commercial officer, Kacific.

    “There is real potential for satellite-based communication services to help Papua New Guinea increase access to communications services from 10 percent (in 2009) to 100 percent of the population – a goal of the nation’s strategic development plan, Vision 2050,” he adds.

    “In every market, we aim to be the best. With Kacific, Vodafone can provide the best coverage and increase local people’s access to reliable, high-speed voice and data services,” says Nirmal Singh, managing director, Vodafone PNG. “Kacific satellite services vastly reduce the cost and complexity of remote terminal installation, allowing Vodafone to rapidly deploy our network across the nation, including to the underserved rural areas. Together we are providing greater access on a large scale, helping increase Papua New Guinea’s basic infrastructure in order to grow and prosper.”

    Papua New Guinea is a nation of 9 million inhabitants using over 3.3 million mobile connections, amounting to a mobile penetration of 36%2. 3G coverage currently reaches around 73% of the population.

    It is the world’s third largest island country by size, with an area of over 460,000 km, with the vast majority of its population residing in rural areas. It also has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with citizens scattered between islands, coastal areas and mountainous highland terrains. These characteristics add significant costs and impediments to deploying mobile and data services via terrestrial networks. However, satellite services are well-placed to meet the challenges of the varied geography and dispersed population.

    The Kacific1 satellite provides widespread coverage in Papua New Guinea, including the main islands of New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville as well as the surrounding smaller islands and waters.

    Vodafone PNG is the latest customer in the wider Pacific to benefit from Kacific’s affordable, high-speed mobile backhaul services.

  • Tesco Mobile introduces roaming charges for EU travel

    Tesco Mobile introduces roaming charges for EU travel

    After Brexit became a reality, UK mobile operators were quick to promise that roaming charges for calls and data from within EU countries will not make a return. But, after the EU Trade Deal was finalized in 2021, it seems things changed.

    EE was first to cave and reintroduced EU roaming charges for its customers. Three, Vodafone, and Sky followed suit. Now, Tesco joins in.

    No announcement, no fanfare, Tesco changed its Terms & Conditions to include this change. Come January of 2023, any customers that have signed a new contract with the provider after June 6th 2022 (including) will need to pay for their mobile usage from within EU countries as follows — 10p per MB of data, 20p per SMS (no MMS while roaming), 55p per minute of regular voice calling.

    If you have entered a contract with Tesco before the aforementioned date, you will not be affected by the roaming charges until you renew or upgrade your service.

    Frequent travellers will be able to make use of various roaming bundles that Tesco will have on offer, making it cheaper for those that find themselves abroad more often.
    Out of all major carriers in the UK, Virgin Media and O2 have yet to introduce roaming fees for EU countries. In fact, so much so that you may be feeling tempted to check out some phone deals on Virgin or phone deals on O2. Vodafone’s Xtra plans can also include no-fee roaming for the EU and other countries abroad, so it’s great if you can find your favorite phone bundled with the right plan (Vodafone refreshes its phone deals once per month or so).
    By this point, EU roaming fees for all UK residents seem like an inevitability, with the only question being “when” the last operators will cave.

     

  • India Approves 5G Spectrum Auction, Includes Bandwidth for Private Networks

    India Approves 5G Spectrum Auction, Includes Bandwidth for Private Networks

    India will be holding a 5G spectrum auction by the end of July, with frequencies set aside for private mobile networks.

    This was announced by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 72 GHz of spectrum will be auctioned for a 20-year tenure across frequency bands including 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz. According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), 5G will be rolled out first in 13 major cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Jamnagar, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

    All three telecom operators, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel are expected to participate in the upcoming auction. In addition, enterprises can acquire spectrum directly from the DoT to set up private networks to support applications in IoT and AI.

    Bandwidth reserved for private networks has been met with mixed sentiment. On one hand, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) argues that this could diminish revenue. On the other hand, the Broadband India Forum (BFI) claims that this is a misconception.

  • Vodafone Idea acquires spectrums in five telecom circles to enhance 4G capacity

    Vodafone Idea acquires spectrums in five telecom circles to enhance 4G capacity

    Being India’s third-largest telecom operator in the 4G spectrum auctions, Vodafone Idea entered with the largest quantum of spectrum with a very small fraction. “This was administratively allocated and used for GSM services, coming up for renewal,” the company said.

    With the telecom industry gearing up for the 5G revolution, VI hopes that a large quantum of spectrum would be made available for all operators in the future at fair prices. The operator had reportedly submitted an earnest money deposit of Rs 475 crore. Yet, the company did not disclose the exact quantity of spectrum bought.

    In line with the government’s effort to innovate the country’s telecom sector, Vodafone Idea claimed that the Indian telecom segment is well-positioned to drive the Digital India agenda, as long as sufficient spectrum availability and an adequate number of market players are involved.

    Broadly speaking, India has 22 telecom circles. All major telecom operators — Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd, and Vodafone Idea — participated in the auction. According to the department of telecommunication (DoT), they put on the block 2,308.8MHz of spectrum at a base price of ₹3.92 trillion in the auction. Moreover, spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz, 2,300MHz, and 2,500MHz bands were put up for sale.

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  • Shocking AGR debts could spell doom for Vodafone Idea

    Shocking AGR debts could spell doom for Vodafone Idea

    Following a Supreme Court ruling made last week, India’s Vodafone Idea could be facing potential bankruptcy for failing to pay billions in outstanding government fees in the next few days.

    Vodafone Idea, the brainchild of a collaboration between Britain’s Vodafone Group Plc and India’s Idea Cellular has been hit the hardest by the court’s order that telcos would need to clear their AGR fees; a ruling made last October which resulted in unpaid debts for operators going back a few years.

    Vodafone Idea has stated that it is unable to pay the $3.9 billion owed but is assessing the amount and is hoping for a timeline extension to keep their business afloat.

    Additionally, the multi-billion-dollar debt incurred by the telco could put a dampener on India’s economy and reputation as an investment hub for multinationals, unless business continuation was secured.

    The company announced, “As disclosed in the company’s financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2019, the company’s ability to continue as a going the concern is essentially dependent on a positive outcome of the application for modification of the Supplementary Order.”

    An anonymous spokesperson for Vodafone Idea said, “”They have been beaten down by the environment here. We’re sending investors a very negative signal – it says the trust factor between the government and the industry doesn’t exist.”

    Since news of the ailing telco broke, analysts have already begun to predict the growth of Bharti Airtel’s and Reliance Jio’s opex and capex levels if Vodafone Idea were to shut down permanently.

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