Vodafone and Google have announced today the expansion of their strategic alliance with a ten-year agreement valued at over one billion dollars, aimed at bringing new services, devices, and AI-driven TV experiences to millions of Vodafone customers in Europe and Africa. This collaboration, supported by Google Cloud and Google’s generative AI models Gemini, promises to transform Vodafone’s technological offering, improving both connectivity and cybersecurity in the coming years.
The agreement will allow Vodafone to offer AI-powered devices, such as Google’s Pixel phones, along with their high-speed 5G network in Europe, as well as enhance their Vodafone TV platform with advanced AI to personalize content and optimize monetization through Google Ad Manager. Additionally, the companies are working to offer subscription plans for Google One AI Premium that will include the Gemini Advanced model, set to be implemented by 2025.
Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone Group, stated: “Together with Google, we will put AI-driven devices and content into the hands of millions of consumers. Our customers will be able to discover new ways of learning, creating, and communicating, as well as enjoy a TV experience like never before.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, added: “We are excited to expand our collaboration with Vodafone to bring our most advanced AI products and services, such as the Gemini models, to more people in Europe and Africa.”
Empowering user experience
One of the pillars of this alliance is to enhance consumer experiences through advanced digital devices and technologies. Vodafone and Google will work together to expand product offerings in stores and online, supported by a renewed customer experience thanks to the benefits of AI. This includes the expansion of Google Pixel devices and other Android phones, along with support for Vodafone’s 5G network.
In the TV space, the collaboration will seek to optimize the Vodafone TV platform through Google Cloud’s generative AI capabilities, improving content search, personalized recommendations, and the rewards system. Additionally, Google Ad Manager will enable more effective monetization of advertising content, offering users a better ad experience.
Digital transformation and security with Google Cloud
Vodafone already has a strong collaboration with Google Cloud, and this agreement will further strengthen that relationship. By using Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform, Vodafone will be able to build, deploy, and scale AI models and applications based on Google’s Gemini models, accelerating innovation and the launch of new products in its markets.
Cybersecurity will also be a key focus area in this alliance. Vodafone will develop a new cloud security solution for its enterprise customers, based on Google Cloud’s Security Operations platform, enabling them to better protect themselves and respond in real-time to cyber threats. Additionally, Vodafone will enhance its commitment to security through its own team of 900 cybersecurity experts, who will work with Google to protect the company’s large-scale operations.
Both companies will also collaborate to promote universal standards in areas such as online security, responsible AI development, network performance, and interoperability, driving industrial efficiency and improving public services on a large scale.
This agreement represents a key step in Vodafone and Google’s strategy to put AI and connectivity in the hands of more people, contributing to digital transformation and the growth of the global economy.