The operator has announced a new wide-ranging agreement with the tech giant.
Vodafone, which operates in several EU countries, says that the companies will collaborate to transform Vodafone’s customer experience using Microsoft’s generative AI, invest in the company’s IoT platform and develop new digital and financial services for businesses.
Vodafone will invest $1.5 billion over the next 10 years in cloud and customer-focused AI services developed in conjunction with Microsoft, while Microsoft will use Vodafone’s fixed and mobile connectivity services. Microsoft will also invest in Vodafone’s managed IoT connectivity platform, which will become a separate, standalone business by April 2024.
Vodafone will also modernise its data centres using Microsoft’s cloud service Azure. The company says this will allow it to replace multiple physical data centres with virtual ones across Europe, simplifying and reducing the operational costs of its IT estate.
“Today, Vodafone has made a bold commitment to the digital future of Europe and Africa. This unique strategic partnership with Microsoft will accelerate the digital transformation of our business customers, particularly small and medium-sized companies, and step up the quality of customer experience for consumers,” says Vodafone Group chief executive Margherita Della Valle.
