Vodafone Group and Airbus rolled out the carpet for a ruggedised device maker in a three-way collaboration which is offering European emergency services and critical industries a dedicated communications bundle.

RugGear devices are being added to a package involving Vodafone’s connectivity and an Airbus collaboration platform in a move the operator believes will simplify its pitch to emergency service and business customers.

Vodafone Business CEO Marika Auramo said the trio are delivering “a complete mission-critical communications” package.

Olivier Koczan, head of public safety and security with Airbus Defence and Space, declared the arrangement as “the ultimate toolset” for critical industries.

The package uses Vodafone’s Mission Critical Communications service, a cloud- and on-site Airbus platform, and RugGear’s range of toughened devices.

Vodafone noted the devices address the dangers of potential damage to units in the field and stated the broader deal deepens a relationship with Airbus originally struck in 2025.

The operator’s network is configured to prioritise communications from emergency personnel. Vodafone launched the service in Germany and is now widening availability to other European markets.

It stated Airbus’ Agnet secure critical communications platform can connect a large number of users to control rooms.

RugGear’s devices offer military-grade specifications, high intensity torches, scanners, GPS tracking and PTT capabilities.

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Vodafone Greece commenced early-stage talks about going Dutch on a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) venture with utility PPC Group, a combination with the potential to pass almost 2.5 million homes.

The head of terms discussion over the 50:50 joint venture also involves the companies’ respective wholesale fibre operations. Vodafone explained any combined business would provide open access to ISPs.

PPC stated the FTTH network of the subsidiary in line for the combination currently passes 1.9 million households and Vodafone’s 550,000.

Alexandros Paterakis, vice chair of the PPC FiberGrid unit and deputy CEO for digital services at the group, said any tie-up would create a “leading digital network infrastructure in Greece”, along with advancing various of the company’s strategic goals.

For Vodafone, any agreement would “substantially accelerate the development of our fibre network” CEO Achilleas Kanaris said.

He added Greece is strategically important to Vodafone Group as a whole and explained the unit is focused on expanding its footprint, shifting from “copper to fibre” and contributing to “national digital coverage objectives”.

The companies emphasised no binding commitments had been made and they are yet to embark on due diligence processes, though indicated intentions to do so with a view to signing binding agreements.

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Vodafone Business and carmaker Geely’s European R&D division extended an existing partnership to cover adoption of a range of connectivity platforms intended to support vehicle monitoring and driver experience improvements.

The deal with Geely Technology Europe comprises Vodafone’s Internet in the Car, Mobile Private Networks and Cloud Connect products.

Vodafone noted capabilities supported by the systems include diagnostics, over the air software updates and secure data transfer between vehicles and cloud systems.

The operator is also providing connectivity across the Geely division’s operations in Germany and Sweden and for its sales teams across Europe.

Vodafone highlighted by 2030 98% of new passenger vehicles sold are expected to be connected, adding together with Geely it was “ready to help drive this expansion”.

Geely Technology Europe CEO Giovanni Lanfranchi said: “We’ve moved beyond simple transport solutions. Today, vehicles can be continuously improved through software, with data and connectivity enabling a more responsive and personalised user experience over time.”

Vodafone Business product and international business director Fanan Henriques added: “As the adoption rate of electric vehicles continues to grow, the opportunities to enhance their safety, efficiency and the user experience through digital connectivity are significant.”

“We’re supporting Geely’s growth in vehicle sales across Europe and its operations with a secure, multi-service digital infrastructure.”

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