Home » Vodafone

Vodafone

COAI defends India mobile tariff hike amid OTT traffic

Tech News & Insight
October 12, 2025
Hema Kadia

India’s mobile industry lobby is pushing for tariff corrections as network spending rises faster than service revenues. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) says operators face a growing mismatch between capital outlays and tariff-led returns. By its estimate, the cumulative gap up to 2024 was already around Rs 10,000 crore and is widening in 2025 as data consumption accelerates. COAI argues that a handful of large traffic generators (LTGs) are responsible for most network load without directly contributing to network build costs. Expect a mix of tariff rationalization, plan redesign, and targeted capex as operators chase sustainable returns.

Verizon and AST SpaceMobile Direct-to-Cell Deal for 2026

Tech News & Insight
October 12, 2025
Hema Kadia

Verizon and AST SpaceMobile have advanced their partnership into a definitive commercial agreement to deliver space-based cellular coverage in the United States starting in 2026. The agreement enables Verizon subscribers to connect “when needed” to AST SpaceMobile’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites using standard, unmodified phones. AST says service will focus on coverage gaps across the continental U.S., and will extend Verizon’s premium 850 MHz low-band spectrum into remote areas. AST highlights successful space tests as proof points and positions the network for both commercial and government use.

Assurance, IoT, Monetization, RAN
3GPP, AST SpaceMobile, Devices, Fiber, LEO, Mobility, Partnerships, Policy, Spectrum, Verizon, Vodafone
Agriculture, Financials, Ports, Telecom, Transportation

Vi Protect: AI-Powered Network Security Debuts at IMC 2025

Tech News & Insight
October 8, 2025
Hema Kadia

Vodafone Idea (Vi) used India Mobile Congress 2025 to unveil Vi Protect, a network-integrated, AI-powered security suite aimed at stopping spam calls, fraudulent messages, and fast-moving cyber threats for both consumers and businesses. By moving detection into the network rather than relying on over-the-top apps, Vi is positioning security as a core service-level capability with lower latency, broader coverage, and tighter control. Unlike app-only caller ID and spam filtering, Vi Protect runs at the DNS, SMS, and voice gateway layers, combining AI models, web crawlers, and subscriber feedback loops. The operator says its systems have already intercepted more than 600 million scam and spam attempts.

AI, Automation, IoT, Security
Devices, GenAI, India, Investment, SMS, Vodafone
Telecom

Why 95% of GenAI Pilots Fail to Scale Across Industries, Including Telecom

Tech News & Insight
September 29, 2025
Hema Kadia

AI is everywhere in telecom, yet most pilots never make it into production because the industry’s data, tooling, and operating models are not ready for scaled automation. Recent industry research suggests that about 95% of AI pilots in telecom fail to scale beyond proofs of concept. Leaders are moving from pilots to platforms by embedding AI in the systems that run the business and anchoring every initiative to measurable outcomes. Telecom AI will not scale through pilots alone; it scales when embedded in the systems that run revenue, experience, and networks.

5G, AI, API, Assurance, Automation, IoT, Network Slicing, RAN, Security
America, Discovery, Europe, Fiber, GDPR, GenAI, Investment, Policy, Streaming, TM Forum, Vodafone
Telecom

Telefónica Sustainability: €77B Invested in Sustainable Infrastructure

Tech News & Insight
September 25, 2025
Hema Kadia

Telefónica reports €77 billion invested over ten years to expand sustainable, resilient connectivity, with SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) as the strategic anchor. The operator now serves nearly 350 million accesses, has passed 81.4 million premises with FTTH, and runs one of the largest ultra-broadband footprints globally, second in scale only to China. Spain is Telefónica’s showcase for fiber-led modernization. Dense FTTH has enabled a managed copper switch-off, which simplifies operations, cuts energy use, and improves service quality. The operator targets net zero by 2040 – ten years ahead of many international timelines—and reports a 52% reduction in CO2 emissions across the value chain from 2015 to 2024.

5G, AI, Automation, IoT, Network Slicing, RAN, SASE, SD-WAN, Sustainability
America, Broadband, Data Center, Data Privacy, Deutsche Telekom, Europe, Fiber, GSMA, Investment, Neutral Host, Orange, Policy, Telefonica, Vodafone
Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Manufacturing, Telecom

T-Mobile Names Srini Gopalan CEO to Drive 5G and AI

Tech News & Insight
September 23, 2025
Hema Kadia

T-Mobile has set a clear handover plan that pairs continuity with a sharpened focus on digital, AI, and new growth vectors. Srini Gopalan, currently Chief Operating Officer, will become CEO of T-Mobile US, succeeding Mike Sievert. Sievert moves to a newly created Vice Chairman role, remaining on the management team and Board to advise on strategy, innovation, talent, and external relations. The structure signals operational continuity and a deliberate next phase for the Un-carrier playbook across wireless, broadband, and adjacent services. Expect Gopalan to intensify investments in AI across care, sales, and network operations.

5G, AI, API, Automation, FWA, IoT, Network Slicing, Security
3GPP, Airtel, Broadband, Cybersecurity, Deutsche Telekom, Fiber, Mobility, Partnerships, Spectrum, T-Mobile, Vodafone
Manufacturing, Public sector, Telecom

VodafoneThree taps Ericsson and Nokia for UK 5G SA rollout

Tech News & Insight
September 23, 2025
Hema Kadia

Fresh off its merger, VodafoneThree has locked in eight-year vendor deals with Ericsson and Nokia to underpin a £11 billion UK network build that is front-loaded for rapid 5G Standalone coverage gains. VodafoneThree selected Ericsson and Nokia as primary technology partners for one of the largest privately funded mobile infrastructure programs in Europe, with contracts collectively valued at over £2 billion. In year one, close to three quarters of the population are targeted for access to its fastest 5G services, rising to about 90% population coverage on 5G Standalone by year three and reaching roughly 99.95% by 2034 under a regulated, fully funded build plan.

5G, AI, Automation, IoT, Network Slicing, Open RAN, RAN, Security, Sustainability
3GPP, Devices, Ericsson, Europe, Huawei, Nokia, Policy, Spectrum, Vodafone
Agriculture, Construction, HealthCare, Manufacturing

Telecom and Tech M&A Tracker 2025

Tech News & Insight
October 9, 2025
Hema Kadia

2025 has seen major telecom and tech M&A activity, including billion-dollar deals in fiber, AI, cloud, and cybersecurity. This monthly tracker details key acquisitions, like AT&T buying Lumen’s fiber assets and Google’s $32B move for Wiz, highlighting how consolidation is shaping the competitive landscape.

5G, AI, FWA, Network Infrastructure, Security, Semiconductor
Airspan, ATT, Broadband, Broadcom, Charter, Cox, Data Center, Dish Network, Fiber, Google, HPE, IBM, Lumen, Mergers and Acquisitions, Millicom, Nokia, Optical Network, Qualcomm, ServiceNow, Softbank, Swisscom, T-Mobile, Telefonica, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, Zayo, Zscaler
Telecom

Telefónica–Vodafone Spain bid: EU telecom consolidation

Tech News & Insight
September 2, 2025
Hema Kadia

Telefonica is weighing a bid for Vodafone Spain from Zegona, setting up a pivotal consolidation moment in a four-player Spanish market under tight EU scrutiny. State-aligned and strategic investors appear open to a scaled Spain-centric strategy that leans into Europe while pruning Latin American exposure. Spain’s market has shifted after the combination of Orange Spain and MasMvil (MasOrange), creating a heavyweight rival to Telefonica. A successful deal would reshape Spains operator landscape and signal how far EU policymakers will allow scale plays to go in mature markets. The European Commission has shown willingness to approve in-country consolidation with tough conditions.

5G, IoT, Private Networks, RAN
Europe, Fiber, Orange, Policy, Private 5G, Spectrum, Telefonica, Vodafone

Jio 2026 IPO: Impact on 5G, Capex, ARPU, and India’s Digital Market

Tech News & Insight
September 1, 2025
Hema Kadia

Reliance Jio’s 2026 IPO could be India’s largest public listing, with a projected valuation between ₹10–12 lakh crore. As Jio Platforms prepares to float 2.5–5% equity, the move could reshape 5G pricing, digital infrastructure investments, and ARPU strategies across the telecom stack. With cloud, AI, and enterprise services gaining traction, Jio’s IPO positions it as a multi-product digital powerhouse. Airtel and Vodafone Idea may face intensified competition as capital deployment and service bundling accelerate.

5G, FWA, Monetization, Security
Airtel, Broadband, Ericsson, Fiber, Google, Investment, Jio, Meta, Nokia, Spectrum, TRAI, Vodafone

TRAI says 70-80% of India’s Mobile Data Usage Happens Indoors

Tech News & Insight
August 26, 2025
Hema Kadia

India’s telecom usage is now predominantly indoors, and TRAI’s new property rating framework puts digital connectivity on par with core utilities. TRAI’s chairperson flagged a decisive shift: most mobile data is consumed inside homes, offices, malls, hospitals, and transit hubs. Connectivity inside buildings is moving from convenience to necessity. TRAI’s 2024 Regulations introduce a voluntary, performance-based star rating that assesses how ready a property is to deliver high-quality broadband and mobile connectivity. The framework encourages developers to embed Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) at design stage, aligns with Digital India and Smart Cities Mission, and invites ministries and agencies to incorporate DCI into guidelines, tenders, and training.

5G, FWA, Sustainability, Towers & Cells
Airtel, Broadband, BSNL, Cybersecurity, DAS, Fiber, FinTech, India, Investment, Jio, Mobility, Neutral Host, OTT, Vodafone, WiFi
Smart Cities

MWC25 Las Vegas: Bringing together technology leaders to share real-world enterprise use cases and shape the future of connectivity

Tech News & Insight
September 22, 2025
Hema Kadia

MWC25 Las Vegas is the premier North American event for CIOs and IT leaders, offering real-world insights on 5G, AI, IoT, private networks, and edge computing. With industry leaders from IBM, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, and more, the event focuses on actionable strategies for enterprise transformation.