Ahmed Sherif
Research expert covering IT services and gaming hardware
Vodafone - statistics & facts
Vodafone stands as a global telecommunications powerhouse, renowned for its extensive network coverage and innovative digital services and connecting over millions of people worldwide. The British giant provides telecoms networks in 17 markets worldwide, with stakes in a further five markets through joint venture agreements, and a presence in an additional 46 markets through partnerships with local operators. The Berkshire-based company reported a global employee headcount of over 85 thousand as of 2023, increasing for the first time since the company spun its Italy and Spain business.
As the company looks ahead, Vodafone is pursuing a strategic transformation through its proposed merger with Three UK. The consolidation of operations in core markets, and withdrawal from underperforming regions, aiming to streamline its portfolio, boost network investments, and capitalize on growth opportunities in B2B services. This positions Vodafone for a resilient future in the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.
Vodafone remains a major player in the European market
Vodafone reported impressive revenues of 36.7 billion euros in its 2023 financial year, with the mobile services segment accounting for over half of this figure. European markets form the backbone of Vodafone’s business, with the operator a major player in the continent’s 398 billion U.S. dollar consumer communications industry. Germany remained the Vodafone’s largest market in its 2023 financial year, accounting for around 13 billion euros in revenue, followed by the United Kingdom, which accounted for around 6.8 billion euros. Despite being a longstanding player in its home market, Vodafone’s UK revenue has eased in recent years, having peaked at around 8.4 billion euros in 2016.Spinning off Italy and Spain while looking to Africa for growth
While Vodafone’s has Vodafone has identified significant opportunities in Africa, noting increasing smartphone ownership, and a fertile market for mobile data services driven by a lack of fixed broadband access. The firm’s presence in Africa is spearheaded by its Vodacom subsidiary, which operates in major African markets such as South Africa, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2023, Vodafone’s Africa segment generated over 7.4 billion euros, a 17-percent increase on the previous year, while its customer base increased by 7.7 percent to 98.5 million over the same period. In addition to communications services, Vodacom has found success in the lucrative mobile banking market in Africa, with its M-Pesa payment service processing 33 billion transactions in 2024.Vodafone beats out Telekom in German mobile connections
Vodafone competes with a range of national and international players in its markets across Europe and Africa. The company ranked 27th in a 2024 ranking of global telecommunications companies by market capitalization, ahead of its British rival BT Group in 28th position, but behind German giant Deutsche Telekom in the 7th place. Within Germany, Vodafone commanded the largest share of mobile connections as of 2024, ahead of Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica.As the company looks ahead, Vodafone is pursuing a strategic transformation through its proposed merger with Three UK. The consolidation of operations in core markets, and withdrawal from underperforming regions, aiming to streamline its portfolio, boost network investments, and capitalize on growth opportunities in B2B services. This positions Vodafone for a resilient future in the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.
