About Sustainable Business News Investors Careers COVID-19 Vodafone Foundation Public policy reports Vodafone regularly publishes studies and papers about the key public policy issues discussed at the European and global level. We would like to share them with you. Securing the 5G eco-system in Europe 5G with the Internet of Things – everyone connected to everything – is as transformational for small to large enterprises as 4G was for consumers. China and the US have understood 5G’s strategic importance and are investing at speed, through scaled operators with strong balance sheets. This is in stark contrast to Europe, where regulation has promoted price over quality, leaving the sector fragmented and indebted and the continent with a large investment gap. Securing the 5G eco-system in Europe Rural Connectivity Report Enhancing the lives and prospects of those living in rural areas has long been the vision of EU and national governments. Access to digital infrastructure and fast, reliable connectivity are key for people to improve their livelihoods and for businesses to flourish in rural communities across Europe. And looking to the future, next generation networks will create new jobs in rural economies, improve agricultural productivity and enhance local public services. This new report, ‘Enhancing Rural Connectivity’ produced by Deloitte and commissioned by Vodafone, is a useful tool for governments and policymakers to assess the socio-economic benefits of enhanced rural connectivity, and the policy options and reforms needed to improve digital connectivity, with useful examples of how this can be achieved. Rural Connectivity Report SME Digitalisation – charting a course towards resilience and recovery Small and medium enterprises are the beating heart of Europe’s economy, and our post-COVID-19 recovery will be dependent on how well they are able to recover and thrive, driving innovation and job creation across the continent. This study analyses the experiences of SMEs through the crisis, from the start of the pandemic up until July 2020 – and it clearly demonstrates how digital has supported SME resilience through the period. We have also used this research to look to the future, and consider how government digital policy can best support SMEs and ensure we do not see the ‘digital divide’ that was already evident in this area become further entrenched as result of the COVID-19 crisis. We believe the findings are very relevant to governments as they put in place policies to ensure that SMEs have what they need to bounce back from COVID-19. This report includes expert independent analysis and evidence from Deloitte. SME Digitalisation – charting a course towards resilience and recovery How Vodafone can Help SMEs to Increase their Digital Maturity An Industrial 5G Spectrum policy for Europe Policymakers recognise that Gigabit connectivity propels the digital transformation of both industry and society. A successful rollout of 5G across Europe is a necessary condition for this European digital transformation. Consistent and predictable regulation is critical, supported by policies that promote development and tackle fragmentation. Despite this, there is an ongoing regulatory discussion on the issue of whether internationally harmonised cellular spectrum should be ‘set aside’ for private localised use instead of auctioned to whoever is able to create the largest value to society, including nationwide public networks. Vodafone’s report, An industrial 5G Spectrum Policy for Europe, demonstrates that set-aside policies will lead to a significant consumer welfare loss, reducing the incentive for investment by distorting competition, inflating the costs of spectrum licences and limiting the ability of operators to build the best 5G networks possible for everyone. This report includes expert independent analysis and evidence from the consultancies Arthur D. Little and Compass Lexecon. An Industrial 5G Spectrum Policy for Europe Connecting Europe for a better future - Vodafone's Policy Priorities Vodafone believes in the promise of Europe. Despite the significant and important progress driven by the Digital Single Market, we believe that Europe needs a step change: one that turbo-charges investment and lays the foundations for top-class European digital infrastructure through the creation of better conditions for digital solutions made in Europe and which builds trust in the digital society, empowering European citizens. The EU’s next strategic agenda spanning 2019-2024 will be pivotal. Vodafone’s Whitepaper, Connecting Europe for a Better Future looks at policies which could address the significant challenges that Europe faces today and which will ensure that Europe is in a position to be a global leader in the next phase of the digital revolution. Connecting Europe for a Better Future: Vodafone’s Policy Priorities Digital deployment In the digital deployment report, we have identified six key policy aspects that, we believe, impact investors’ abilities to deploy competing fixed and mobile digital networks in a given market. Governments and policymakers can stimulate investment by examining their policies in each of these areas in comparison with peers and ensuring they have a plan to adopt best practice. This report provides policymakers with the best-practices and the degree of variation across our 12 EU markets and makes policy recommendations to improve the ease of digital infrastructure deployment. Digital Deployment A new IoT regulatory framework for Europe The value IoT could bring to Europe is well recognised and if the regulatory landscape is right. Realising these benefits could transform Europe’s standing in terms of global competitiveness and 5G connectivity. IoT cuts across a wide variety of market sectors, emphasising the need for a cross-sectoral policy approach. Taking input from a number of different industries, Vodafone has prepared this white paper, which proposes a new regulatory framework for IoT in the EU. IoT Whitepaper Realising the economic potential of machine-generated, non-personal data in the EU In this report, commissioned by Vodafone, Deloitte considers the economic potential of machine-generated, non-personal data in the European Union. This type of data is particularly relevant to the Internet of Things and Deloitte’s review focuses on the agriculture, automotive, healthcare, smart city and manufacturing sectors. The report estimates the potential value of this form of data and how this value is derived from sharing. It also identifies barriers to that value being realised and makes policy recommendations to ease those barriers. Realising the potential of IoT data report for Vodafone Creating a Gigabit Society – the role of 5G This study focuses on the important role that 5G mobile has to play in achieving the Gigabit Society vision, highlighting the consumer and industrial innovations that 5G will facilitate. It also makes recommendations on the key policy areas that need to be addressed in order to capitalise on the benefits that 5G can bring. Creating a Gigabit Society-The role of 5G Thought leadership Policy Papers & Reports, Consultation responses Investors Annual report Financial results Shareholders Operating responsibly Code of Conduct Modern Slavery Statement Supply chain Mobiles, masts and health Suppliers Ethics Policies and requirements Management help Vodafone Pass Partner Portal Careers Early careers Professionals Be yourself and belong Our locations Site map Legal terms Privacy and cookies Accessibility Report a Vulnerability Contact us ©2021 Vodafone Group Vodafone Group Plc. 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