Vodafone Ireland news corner
21 September 2023
New deal to include Vodafone appearing on back of Ireland women’s jersey in 2024
Continuation of the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship partnership
Vodafone Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) today announced a four-year extension to their partnership which will see Vodafone continue as the principal sponsor of the Ireland men’s rugby team and communications partner to the IRFU through to 2028.
The new deal, which will commence on 1st July 2024, includes a key partnership with the Ireland women’s team, which will see the Vodafone brand appearing on the back of the women’s jersey from 2024 and the continuation of the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship partnership.
The multi-year partnership will see Vodafone and the IRFU continue to work together to use new and existing 5G technology to enhance both fan and player experiences.
Vodafone customers will continue to enjoy numerous benefits including exclusive content while players and coaches will also benefit from the Vodafone Technical Area where they will use 5G Mobile Private Network (MPN) technology to enhance analysis capabilities and adjust training performance in real time.
Speaking about the sponsorship extension, Amanda Nelson Vodafone Ireland CEO said; “At Vodafone, we take great pride in being the principal sponsor of Irish Rugby since 2016 and we’re delighted to be extending our partnership for a further four years to 2028. We have worked hard to create the most interconnected team and fanbase on the planet and want to continue helping fans feel the connection to Irish Rugby. We also have a shared ambition with the IRFU to grow the game on the island of Ireland, so I am very proud to announce the continuation of our partnership as principal sponsor of the immensely successful men’s team alongside the fantastic Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship and now the expansion of our partnership to include the Ireland women’s team.
We have also recently expanded our role as IRFU technology partner through their adoption of the latest cutting-edge 5G Mobile Private Network (MPN) technology to increase the communication of performance data between the coaches and players. They are the only team to have access to this technology during the Rugby World Cup in France with the bespoke Vodafone 5G Connected Van.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the team, management, and backroom staff every success over the coming weeks at the Rugby World Cup.”
IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts commented, “The IRFU are thrilled to extend our partnership with Vodafone and warmly welcome the increasing role they are taking in our women’s game.
Since 2016 Vodafone has been the official sponsor of Irish Rugby __ and together, we have experienced great success. As a not for profit, the revenue from sponsorship deals such as these are crucial to the delivery of our plans to ensure Irish rugby teams remain competitive on the global stage.
I’d like to thank Amanda and her team for their commitment and investment in Irish rugby. The activation of “Team of Us” by Vodafone has been fantastic exposure for the IRFU brand and we look forward to continued success, both on and off the field, together for years to come.”
12 September 2023
· 10 Businesses located at the Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre to receive 1 Gigabit broadband connectivity for two years free of charge
25th November, 2017: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Fine Gael TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Heather Humphreys, today unveiled the Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre (CITC), which encompasses Cavan Enterprise Centre, as the next location to be part of Vodafone and SIRO’s national Gigabit Hub Initiative, which offers a 1 Gigabit broadband connection to qualifying business hubs free of charge for two years.
As the fifth Hub to receive the award, CITC joins the Ludgate Hub (Skibbereen), Tralee HQ (Tralee), Dundalk RDC (Dundalk IT) and The Mill (Drogheda) which have all been connected to the SIRO 100% fibre-optic network. Launched earlier this year, the Vodafone / SIRO Gigabit Hub Initiative was designed to spark a digital transformation in 15 towns across Ireland and encourage job and economic growth in regional towns.
The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which was the first hub connected by SIRO in July 2016, is an ‘exemplar project’ that was shortlisted for the European Commission Broadband Awards in 2016 and is on course to create 500 jobs over the next five years in West Cork.
SIRO’s Gigabit connectivity, which is three times as powerful as the best service in Dublin and 10 times more powerful than the fastest average internet speed in Ireland, gives businesses in the CTIC world-class broadband connectivity allowing them to compete and grow.
CITC was established to promote innovation and technology support in the Cavan and border region by providing local businesses with education, training, technology and facilities needed to support enterprise development and create economic growth, as well as providing a one stop shop for entrepreneurs. State agencies such as the Local Enterprise Office and IDA Ireland are co-located at CITC, with all support and training carried out by the Local Enterprise Office delivered at the centre. The Hub, incorporating Cavan Enterprise Centre, currently accommodates 10 companies which employ over 310 people.
One such company benefiting from the SIRO 1 GB connection is Apridata, which was established in 2014 as a business intelligence and data analytics consultancy. With customers and prospects in locations all over the world, Apridata chose Cavan because of its amenities, quality of life and sense of community. Critical, however, was gaining access to high-speed broadband which is fundamental for the company’s success and allows it to do business and connect with customers across the world.
In 2015, SIRO selected Cavan as the first town to trial the new technology which saw 300 homes in the Aughnaskerry and Rocklands estates equipped with a 100% fibre-to-the-building connection. The Cavan network now extends to over 4,000 homes and businesses who enjoy the same level of connectivity as leading international hubs like Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Speaking at the launch of the Gigabit Hub in Cavan, Minister for Culture and TD for Cavan- Monaghan Heather Humphreys said: “I am delighted to unveil Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre as the latest Gigabit Hub by Siro and Vodafone. Access to high speed broadband in today’s economy is as vital to infrastructure as canals and roadways were to businesses in the last century, and this project perfectly complements Government policy of encouraging commercial investment in broadband. The initiative also illustrates how local people and business interests can work together to generate economic activity, and I would like to commend everyone involved for their hard work and commitment.”
Vincent Reynolds, CEO, Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre said: “The unique natural surroundings of County Cavan underpin the success of its living and working communities. Inspiration breeds innovation, which, in the right environment, breeds success and this was the motivating factor behind the establishment of CITC. As a recipient of Vodafone and SIRO’s 1 Gigabit broadband connection, we will be able to further drive innovation and help companies at the centre reach greater heights.”
Liam O’Brien, Director of Strategy & External Affairs of Vodafone Ireland, added: “The Gigabit Hub Initiative was created in order to empower local businesses and communities through connected technologies. As the fifth hub, I’m delighted that businesses in the Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre will have access to SIRO’s 100% fibre-optic network. Gigabit connectivity is the starting point in the creation of a Gigabit Society across Ireland which will offer employees a better work/life balance and allow them to pursue their careers in towns across Ireland without sacrificing their quality of life, rather than being forced to move to cities or abroad.”
Stephen O’Connor, Corporate Affairs Director of SIRO, also said: “We are delighted that CITC has become our latest Gigabit Hub, given Cavan’s key role in SIRO’s history. Cavan was our original trial town, when we connected the Aughnaskerry and Rocklands estates back in 2015 and we got a great reception in the town. The SIRO network now extends to over 4,000 homes and businesses in Cavan town which all have access to the best connectivity in Ireland, rivalling international hubs like Hong Kong and Tokyo. Good connectivity is vital for regional towns competing for investment and jobs and having a 1 GB network in the town and a strategic centre like the CITC makes Cavan attractive for entrepreneurs to establish their business or for companies looking to invest”
Richard Stafford, Founder and CEO of Apridata, said: “CITC’s Gigabit connectivity is a game-changer for Apridata. With customers and prospects in locations as diverse as the Caribbean and Sweden, broadband is critical for our company. For our services, geographic location is not a limiting factor; we can market, sell and deliver digitally with video conferencing playing a vital role in our sales process. To succeed we need the bandwidth in place to ensure we deliver a professional experience - you lose credibility if there’s any lag or if your call unexpectedly drops due to poor broadband. We manage and process large volumes of data and the 1 Gigabit connection provided to us by Vodafone and SIRO enables us to do this productively. As a result, we can deliver services that empower our clients to make better business decisions faster.”
A video of Richard Stafford, Founder and CEO of Apridata, located at CITC, the fifth hub to receive two years of free gigabit fibre broadband from SIRO and Vodafone as part of the companies’ national Gigabit Hub Initiative can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/8Zs00T7mbyY
ENDS
For further information, contact:
SIRO
Piaras Kelly
Edelman
016789333
0868131691
Vodafone
Paul Griffin
ReputationInc
014120517
0876674305
About Vodafone Ireland:
Vodafone is Ireland's leading total communications provider with 2.3 million customers and employs over 2,000 people directly and indirectly in Ireland.
Vodafone provides a total range of communications solutions including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications to consumers and to small, medium and large businesses. Since 2011, Vodafone has expanded its enterprise division, offering integrated next-generation fixed and mobile solutions in addition to cloud-based platforms, machine to machine services and professional ICT support.
Vodafone Group is one of the world's leading international mobile communications groups with mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 49 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.ie
About SIRO:
SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network, offering a 1 GB (1,000 Mb) internet connection to 500,000 premises in fifty regional towns using the existing ESB infrastructure.
Launched 2 years ago the SIRO network has reached 120,000 homes and businesses across 25 regional towns and is available to consumers via 7 retail partners. SIRO is revolutionising the broadband market with technology which is the first of its kind in Ireland and is addressing the digital divide between towns and cities.NEWS TEXT
09 January 2024
Vodafone partnered with Bang & Olufsen to design a fully integrated smart entertainment hub with Dolby Atmos sound.
A refreshed user interface offers personalised and immediate access over to 100+ live channels with HD, along with access to a whole host of streaming apps like NOW TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+.
A range of flexible packages are available to suit different households’ entertainment needs start at €65 a month for broadband and TV, €70 for broadband, TV and NOW Entertainment and €95 for broadband, TV and NOW Sports and Boost. Meaning customers can continue to have access to their favourite SKY channels, like Sky Atlantic, Sky Sports, & Sky Cinema.
8th January 2024: Today, Vodafone unveils its new TV offering, Vodafone TV PLAY – an all-in-one smart entertainment hub and soundbar. TV PLAY offers sound designed by Bang & Olufsen and supports cutting edge capabilities like Dolby Atmos® immersive audio, 4K ULTRA HD picture, Google Assistant, Chromecast built-in™ capabilities, along with the best channels, sports and streaming services all in one place.
Vodafone TV PLAY is more than just a TV box, it is the first smart entertainment hub of its kind in Ireland to include Immersive built-in audio, designed by Bang & Olufsen and Dolby Atmos ** technology. Customers can enjoy a richer, multidimensional audio experience through their speaker with Dolby Atmos, seamlessly stream their favourite movies and TV series, and also enjoy their favourite music through built in Bluetooth and Chromecast built in capabilities – all through a single device.
Vodafone TV PLAY not only offers access to all streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, RTÉ Player, Virgin Media Player and TG4 Player, but it also offers a variety of NOW TV bundles and passes, which can be added to the customer’s Vodafone bill at a discount, meaning they won’t miss out on their favourite channels and content.
Amanda Nelson, CEO at Vodafone Ireland said: At Vodafone, innovation is paramount when designing products so we can bring customer experience to the next level. Vodafone TV Play is a game changer as it offers our customers amazing new features like, an integrated soundbar with sound optimised by Bang & Olufsen along with Dolby Atmos immersive audio, that fills rooms with cinema-quality audio, HD picture quality and integrated Google features like Google Assistant and Google Play, whilst also ensuring access to all their favourite channels and streaming platforms.
15 May 2024
Dublin, Ireland & Belmont, Calif. – 15 May 2023 – Vodafone Business Ireland and RingCentral, Inc . (NYSE: RNG), a leading provider of AI-driven cloud business communications, contact centre, video, and hybrid event solutions, today announced the launch of Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral to organisations of all sizes in Ireland. Already accessible in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom, this solution enables businesses to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration for their workforces from virtually any device, anywhere, at any time. With this offering, Vodafone Business Ireland and RingCentral are empowering businesses to embrace the evolving landscape of hybrid work.
This launch coincides with great market momentum. Currently, unified communications cloud penetration in Ireland stands at 43.7%, with projected growth exceeding 80% by 2028, according to a Cavell Group report[1]. This enormous, projected uptick in cloud penetration is not surprising given that Ireland ranks among Europe's leaders in remote or hybrid work job postings, as indicated by an Indeed report. To best fuel hybrid work, Irish businesses require a resilient and secure communications solution that is flexible and easy to implement across dispersed workforces.
Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral offers robust collaboration capabilities, including team messaging, video meetings, and a feature-rich cloud based system, ensuring customers can streamline workflows and optimize workforce productivity. The solution also integrates with many popular applications, and with RingCentral’s AI-powered platform, organizations can leverage conversation intelligence and actionable insights to augment communication experiences.
“Workplace needs are changing, and legacy voice technologies such as PSTN are sunsetting,” said John McCarthy, Head of Product & Partner for Vodafone Business Ireland. “Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral is a uniquely flexible communication and collaboration solution that will help businesses take control and become more efficient, agile and future-ready, while delivering a world class connectivity and service for better customer experience.”
"We're thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Vodafone Business as we broaden our European footprint to Ireland, delivering enterprise-grade communications to businesses of all sizes,” said Lee Williams, AVP International Service Providers, RingCentral. “Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral offers a tailored solution fostering productivity and adaptability so organizations can facilitate successful hybrid work."
Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral is now available in Ireland for new and existing Vodafone Business customers. For more information, visit www.vodafone.ie.
**
Notes to Editor:
Cavell Group, Cloud Communications Market Report, Ireland Q4, 2023.
Vodafone
Vodafone is the largest pan-European and African telecommunications company. Our purpose is to connect for a better future using technology to improve lives, digitizing critical sectors and enabling inclusive and sustainable digital societies.
Vodafone provides mobile and fixed-line services to more than 300 million customers in 17 countries, and has agreements with mobile networks in a further 46 countries. Vodafone is a global leader in the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting more than 160 million devices and platforms. With Vodacom Financial Services and M-Pesa, we have the largest financial technology platform in Africa, serving more than 56 million people in six countries.
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040, while helping our customers reduce their own carbon emissions by 350 million tonnes by 2030. We are driving action to reduce device waste and reach our goal of reusing, reselling or recycling 100% of the waste from our network equipment.
About RingCentral
RingCentral is a leading provider of AI-driven cloud business communications, contact center, video and hybrid event solutions. RingCentral empowers businesses with conversation intelligence and unlocks rich customer and employee interactions to provide insights and improved business outcomes. With decades of expertise in reliable and secure cloud communications, RingCentral has earned the trust of millions of customers and thousands of partners worldwide. Visit ringcentral.com to learn more.
© 2024 RingCentral, Inc. All rights reserved. RingCentral and the RingCentral logo are trademarks of RingCentral, Inc.
10 April 2024
Over 55s more likely to be targeted by investment scams.
25.6% increase in authorised push payment fraud.
Vodafone’s Hi Digital programme to date has supported over 60,000 older people improve their digital skills.
25th March 2024: Vodafone Foundation has today introduced a new 'Identifying Scams and Frauds' module to its Hi Digital platform to support vulnerable older people from falling victim to scammers. The launch of the new module comes as a recent report from FraudSMART revealed a 25.6% increase in authorised push payment fraud (APP) fraud, totalling €8.6 million in losses in the first half of 2023, with individuals over 55 targeted through schemes like investment scams.*
Vodafone Foundation’s new module will help older people spot potential scams, provide tips to protect themselves from online fraud, and offer advice on what to do if they believe they’ve been scammed. Insights collected from Hi Digital training events throughout Ireland indicated that older people frequently voice apprehensions about falling prey to scams, with many encountering them regularly or knowing someone who has had a negative encounter.
With a user base of over 40,000 individuals to date, Hi Digital’s online platform provides older people with essential digital skills and knowledge, improving the way they interact with technology. The new module accompanies other popular support modules for older people on the Hi Digital platform as it looks to close the digital divide between generations. Other modules on the platform include;
Using my Smartphone – From calling and texting to downloading and using apps.
Stay Connected- Learning to use email and social media to stay in touch with loved ones, with a focus on WhatsApp and Facebook.
Everyday Online Activities - Support on the internet from staying informed to shopping and paying bills online.
Hobbies and travel- Learning how to research interests and book a holiday or trip.
Online banking- Introduction to online banking and learn how to use it safely and conveniently.
Aligning with Vodafone’s commitment to bridge the digital divide, the Vodafone Foundation, in partnership with ALONE, last summer launched ‘Hi Digital Drop-in Fridays’ . Now live in 36 Vodafone stores nationwide, Hi Digital Drop in Friday’s is a dedicated time every Friday between 10.00-1.00pm where a Hi Digital ambassador will be on hand in store to give older people the one on one support they need.
Liz Roche, Head of The Vodafone Ireland Foundation, said: “We are delighted to see our Hi Digital platform evolve with the introduction of the scams and frauds module. Scams have been a key concern expressed by older people who have attended our 'Hi Digital Drop-in Fridays’, to seek free practical support, so this addition is truly significant. Empowering older generations with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely is at the core of what we do, which is why we are thrilled to be providing this extra support.”
Frank Dillon, Head of Communications & Fundraising at ALONE, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer this new module of training as part of our Digital Champions course to partner organisations across the country. Online fraud is becoming a widespread crime and can be financially, as well as emotionally harmful, if it reduces a person’s confidence to go online. We support a lot of very savvy older people but the criminals still get through as scams and fraud can happen to anyone. The internet can provide older people with great connectivity and a wealth of information at their fingertips, however, its paramount they feel confident and safe using it.’
Vodafone Foundation’s Hi Digital programme
Vodafone’s Hi Digital programme launched in 2021, and to date has supported over 60,000 older people in improving their digital skills across all its initiatives. Hi Digital is a step-by-step course designed for anyone who needs support to improve their online skills, particularly for those who rarely access the internet. The course is split into short lessons which teach people how to access the internet, use smartphones, stay safe online and now identify and avoid scams and fraud. The programme aims to create a more connected community, reducing loneliness and isolation among the older population.
The initiative is supported by Hi Digital Drop-In Fridays, where older people can come in store for free, practical support and advice on phones, tablets and devices on Fridays between 10am and 1pm. This programme has seen remarkable expansion since the launch in the summer, starting out with 21 participating Vodafone Ireland stores, it is now offered in 36 counties. Hi Digital also has a partnership with the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) whereby over 200 girl guides have been trained as ‘digital champions’ to provide support to older people across the country. IGG joins Vodafone Foundation’s existing charity partner, ALONE, who provide a range of support to older people, including a befriending service and assistance with technology.
For more information about Hi Digital, visit https://hidigital.ie/en/.
Or call the ALONE helpline on 1800 20 30 30 or email digitalskills@alone.ie.
04 October 2023
65% of older people lack basic digital skills
The partnership will see over 800 Girl Guides trained, with the aim of reaching over 3,000 older people to improve online and digital skills
1st October 2023: Vodafone Foundation announces a new partnership with Irish Girl Guides to help close the digital divide between generations. The Irish Girl Guides have become a new charity partner of Vodafone Foundation’s Hi Digital initiative, which brings digital skills, training and support directly to older people across the country. The partnership aims to train over 800 Girl Guides as Digital Champions who will in turn support more than 3,000 older people in Ireland in improving online and digital skills.
Digital exclusion of older generations
65% of older people either lack basic skills or don’t use the internet*. One in four (25%) people aged 60-74 and more than half (56%) of those aged 75 and over do not use the internet. Of those aged between 65-74 who are active online, 43% admit their digital skills are below basic levels, while just 6% say they have “above basic” digital skills.
Closing the digital divide
Girl Guide Units from 25 different locations across the country will participate and commit to training older people in their community in online and digital skills. They will introduce the older people to hidigital.ie – a free online learning platform developed by Vodafone Foundation – to help close the gap when it comes to digital literacy between generations. Everyone involved will earn a certificate and the Girl Guides will also earn a new Hi Digital badge.
The Foundation has provided 100 tablets to the Girl Guides to use in classes across Ireland. Irish Girl Guide units participating in the programme are also planning a series of coffee mornings for older people in their communities to celebrate UN International Day of Older Persons, taking place on 1stOctober 2023.
Vodafone Foundation’s Hi Digital programme
Vodafone’s Hi Digital programme launched in 2021, and to date has supported over 20,000 older people in improving their digital skills. Irish Girl Guides join Vodafone Foundation’s existing charity partner, Alone, which provides a range of support to older people, including a befriending service and assistive technology.
Hi Digital is a step-by-step course designed for anyone who needs support to improve their digital skills, particularly for those who rarely access the internet. The course is split into short lessons which teach people how to access the internet, use smartphones and stay safe online. The programme aims to create a more connected community, reducing loneliness and isolation among the older population. The initiative is supported by Hi Digital Drop-In Fridays at 21 participating Vodafone Ireland stores, where older people can come in for free, practical support and advice on phones, tablets and devices on Fridays between 10am and 1pm.
Liz Roche, Head of Vodafone Foundation, said “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Irish Girl Guides, who join our existing charity partner, Alone, in bringing digital skills to more people across the country. The partnership is the perfect fit and natural extension of our Hi Digital programme which aims to bridge the digital divide between generations and support older people in becoming digitally independent – giving them the tools to safely explore the online world and stay connected with friends and family.”
Lorraine Mackey McHugh, CEO of Irish Girl Guides, said “Intergenerational work is a central part of the Irish Girl Guides ethos and we are delighted to partner with Vodafone Foundation to share the Hi Digital programme. One of the wonderful things about Hi Digital is that it can happen at the pace that the older person wants to go at. Our girls and volunteer leaders are eager to make that happen and help people in their community.”
To find out more about Hi Digital and Irish Girl Guides, call the Alone helpline on 1800 20 30 30 or email digitalskills@alone.ie. For more information about Hi Digital, visit https://hidigital.ie/en/.
13 March 2024
This year will see 70 new jobs created and €16m invested in Ireland
New roles across Vodafone’s Business Unit, Digital Operations, Digital Sales, Customer Success, Product Management and Network and Solutions teams.
Investment marks Vodafone’s ambition to increase capabilities and offerings across a broader set of ICT solutions and services including cybersecurity, networking and cloud technologies.
Follows Vodafone’s €300 million network investment over the last three years
12th March 2024: Vodafone Business, the leading provider of mobile connectivity to Irish businesses, has today announced the creation of 70 new jobs alongside a significant investment of €16 million in skills and resources this year, as part of a €35 million investment over the next four years. The investment will develop Vodafone’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions and service offerings to meet the growing digitisation needs of businesses across Ireland.
Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, commented; “I welcome this announcement from Vodafone Ireland. Digitisation of all businesses is a national priority, and particularly a focus for SMEs where there is huge opportunity for growth. I wish the team at Vodafone every success.”
More than 7,000 businesses have availed of free digital advice and support through V-Hub knowledge centre and one-to-one advisory service. Vodafone customer research showed that more than 80% are looking for advice and support when making new digital investments within their businesses. Additionally, Vodafone has invested €300 million over the last three years in its network and committed to a further €500 million.
Sinéad Bryan, Managing Director of Vodafone Business in Ireland, said; “Today’s announcement marks an exciting time for Vodafone Business as we expand our portfolio of ICT solutions and services to Irish businesses to become a leading platform for innovation and growth. Vodafone is proud to have long been the preferred connectivity provider of Irish business. This new investment is a step change for Vodafone Business as we go beyond that role to meet our customers’ increasing demands for a range of solutions tailored to the needs of businesses. We are committed to facilitating the growth of enterprise, regional development and digital transformation when it comes to the future of work, enhanced efficiencies, improving data security and optimal technology solutions.”
The 70 new jobs created this year include roles across Vodafone’s Business Unit, Digital Operations, Digital Sales, SaaS* and IoT Solutions, and are in addition to 40 graduate roles currently being filled in Vodafone Ireland.
The investment in these roles will also facilitate the expansion of a number of solutions including; SaaS, Cybersecurity, Networking and SD-WAN**, Unified Communications, Managed Services and IoT.
* SaaS, or Software as a Service, is a model where software is hosted online and accessed through the internet, rather than being installed on individual devices.
** SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, utilises software-defined networking concepts to efficiently distribute network traffic across a wide area network.
05 September 2023
New initiative to offer business hubs in 15 towns across Ireland with 1 gigabit broadband connectivity for two years free of charge
National campaign has the potential to create thousands of jobs in selected towns
(Tuesday 27th March 2017) Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, today launched Vodafone and SIRO’s national Gigabit Hub Initiative, which aims to spark a digital transformation in 15 towns across Ireland. A first of its kind, the companies will offer a 1 Gigabit broadband connection to qualifying business, technology and start up hubs free of charge for two years with the initiative having the potential to significantly strengthen and grow thousands of jobs across Ireland.
The Initiative is now open to hubs based in 15 towns – Dundalk, Cavan town, Carrigaline, Sligo, Letterkenny, Wexford town, Drogheda, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Mullingar, Newbridge, Ennis, Ratheniska, Tralee and Carlow town.
The possibilities and benefits of digital connectivity for these towns through this initiative are endless. Having access to high-speed broadband internet connectivity will mean that businesses can now be based in any location, retain local skills, knowledge and talent, compete on a level playing field with national and international organisations.
The application process is now open and will run until Friday 21st April. Hubs interested in applying for the 1 Gigabit broadband connection can find out more about the initiative and register their interest at www.vodafone.ie/connected-futures
This unique initiative has been designed to replicate the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, which is powered by 1 Gigabit internet connection thanks to SIRO, the joint venture between the ESB and Vodafone. Officially launched in August 2016 by Minister O’Connor, Ludgate is firmly on course to help create 500 jobs in the West Cork region over the next five years.
Highlighting the challenges facing rural business, Vodafone research undertaken in late 2016 with businesses based at Ludgate, found that nearly two-thirds (62%) said that faster broadband and mobile phone coverage would enable them to expand their business, with the majority saying that they intend to employ more people on a full or part-time basis in the next 12 months as a result of super-fast broadband. However, nearly seven in 10 (69%) said that slow and unreliable speeds prevent them from working efficiently and hold back their potential for growth, clearly illustrating the importance of high speed broadband connectivity to businesses.
Commenting at the launch, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “High speed broadband is vital for regional development and the Government is delivering on its promise to address Ireland’s connectivity challenges. Having opened the Ludgate Hub last year, I have seen the economic and social benefits that Gigabit connectivity has delivered to Skibbereen. Vodafone and SIRO’s Gigabit Hub initiative will replicate this success in 15 locations across Ireland, helping to attract jobs, investment and startups to each town. Community enterprise centres like Ludgate will help regional towns compete on a global stage, whilst also revitalising rural areas by encouraging more people to return to where they grew up.”
Anne O'Leary, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ireland, added: “When we helped to launch the Ludgate Hub last year, we wanted to establish a blueprint for other towns across the country to replicate Skibbereen’s success, which if mirrored, has the potential to create and secure thousands of jobs in rural Ireland. Today we have realised that vision with the launch of our Gigabit Hub initiative, helping 15 towns to become part of the Gigabit society and becoming a beacon of innovation for the rest of the country. We now want to encourage communities in these other towns to follow Ludgate’s lead and leverage Gigabit connectivity to boost the local economy.”
Sean Atkinson, SIRO CEO, also said: “As Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building provider, we are delighted to be helping to revitalise towns across Ireland. The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen illustrates the digital transformation that our 100% fibre-optic broadband network can spark and our Gigabit Hubs initiative will open up a new world of possibilities for the 15 towns involved. Strong, consistent connectivity will not only help attract new businesses to regional Ireland, it will also help Ireland’s young people create a future in the towns they call home instead of being forced to move abroad”#
SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network, offering a 1 Gigabit (1000 Mbps) internet connection to 500,000 premises in fifty regional towns. The broadband infrastructure is three times as powerful as the market leading service in Dublin and is powered by light, making it different and better than any other network in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point. SIRO recently announced that it was Ireland’s largest Fibre-to-the-Building broadband provider, with over 64,000 premises passed.
ENDS
For further information, contact:
SIRO
Piaras Kelly
Edelman
016789333
0868131691
Vodafone
Paul Griffin
ReputationInc
014120517
0876674305
About Vodafone Ireland:
Vodafone is Ireland's leading total communications provider with 2.3 million customers and provides employment to over 2,000 people in Ireland.
Vodafone provides a total range of communications solutions including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications to consumers and to small, medium and large businesses. Since 2011, Vodafone has expanded its enterprise division, offering integrated next-generation fixed and mobile solutions in addition to cloud-based platforms, machine to machine services and professional ICT support.
Vodafone Group is one of the world's leading international mobile communications groups with mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 49 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.ie
About SIRO:
Launched in May 2015, SIRO is a joint venture of ESB and Vodafone which is investing €450 million in building Ireland’s first 100% Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network, offering a 1 GB (1000 Mb) internet connection to 500,000 premises in fifty regional towns. SIRO will revolutionise Ireland’s broadband market with technology which is the first of its kind in Ireland. Using ESB’s existing infrastructure, SIRO’s unique network will be available to all broadband service providers in the country and will address the digital divide between towns and cities.
01 May 2024
Purchasing a refurbished smartphone can save around 50 Kg CO2e
Irish consumers are the most willing in Europe to buy a refurbished smartphone (64% v 52%)
Vodafone customers have returned more than 27,000 devices for repurposing or recycling
22nd April 2024 - Irish consumers are more willing than ever to consider purchasing a refurbished smartphone, according to the 6th edition of the Recommerce© Barometer in partnership with Vodafone[1]. In 2022, Vodafone Ireland became the first telecommunications company in Ireland to introduce trade-in, which offers customers incentives to trade-in their smartphone devices. In addition to this, Vodafone provides device repair and, since 2020, has been offering a diverse range of refurbished devices.
In 2023, the worldwide market for second-hand smartphones expanded to 309 million units and is expected to grow by 40% to 430 million units by 2027[2]. More than one in three consumers in Ireland have purchased a refurbished device at least once, and more than two-thirds would consider buying one. With refurbished devices in Europe set to account for 27 million devices sold in 2024, more than 52% of Europeans declared they are willing to buy a refurbished smartphone in the future, with consumers in Ireland being the most probable market at 64%.
Irish consumers cited affordability (68%) as their primary reason for choosing a refurbished device with environmental reasons the second biggest driver (36%), suggesting Irish consumer appreciation for the benefits of refurbished devices compared to buying new.
Purchasing a refurbished smartphone saves around 50 Kg CO2e – using one-fifth the carbon emissions of the equivalent newly manufactured smartphone – and removes the need to extract 164 Kg of raw materials.[3]
Other reasons included warranty assurance (29%), suggesting growing confidence in purchasing refurbished devices through trusted brands, buying higher end-model (26%) and benefit from after-sale service (12%).
Vodafone Ireland now offers high-quality refurbished handsets with a 12-month warranty. Customers have the option to buy refurbished iPhone models such as the iPhone 11, iPhone 8, iPhone XR, iPhone 12, or iPhone SE, on a variety of plans, both in-store and online. Every refurbished smartphone sold by Vodafone has received a meticulous professional screening, cleaning, and thorough testing to ensure they function at the same level as new devices. Each phone is also securely data wiped.
In addition to cost savings and flexibility, Vodafone’s refurbished range alongside its device trade-in platform supports the company’s commitment to promoting a circular economy for devices.
Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Ireland, said: “It’s really encouraging to see the level of interest in refurbished devices here in Ireland being so much higher than the European average. Clearly this is based on consumers’ positive experiences, increasing environmental awareness as well as the value for money benefits. With our trade in, customers can receive up to €400 credit on their used smartphones and reduce emissions – a win win.”
Trading in smartphones: a growing trend among Irish consumers
Although some Irish consumers indicated they would continue to keep their old smartphones in case of need (23%), a growing number of Irish consumers (35%) expressed interest in trading in or selling their current mobile for subsequent refurbishment and resale, compared to 23% for their previous handset, showing a growing habit across Ireland.
Vodafone was the first telecoms company in Ireland to launch a device trade-in service, in 2022. This has been very well received by customers, with over 27,000 devices physically returned to Vodafone so far. To encourage customers to make greener choices Vodafone’s Trade In initiative allows Vodafone customers to trade in their old smartphones for up to 400 Euro where they then recycle and repurpose them [4].
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The above findings were unveiled in the sixth edition of the Recommerce© Barometer, an annual analysis of consumer trends towards refurbished smartphones at retail published by European device refurbishment leader Recommerce©, in partnership with Vodafone. Conducted by KANTAR, the study tracked sentiment across EU consumers spanning twelve major European countries[1], including for the first time Ireland, and Portugal.
[1] Online survey conducted from 11-15 January 2024, among 7750 individuals in 12 countries: France, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, and Ireland, aged 16 to 65 years old, representative of individuals living in each country. To guarantee the representativeness of the sample, the weight of the mobile operator was adjusted using the framing data available from Kantar.
[2] IDC report, Worldwide Used Smartphone Forecast, 2023–2027
[3] Source is a lifecycle assessment study (Erwann Fangeat, ADEME, et al, Assessment of the environmental impact of a set of refurbished products – Final Report (2022)), which found that a refurbished phone used for 2 years creates 24.6kg CO2e less carbon emissions per year when compared to a new phone used for 3 years (according to the study results shown on page 64). Over the 2-year period of use of the refurbished phone, this avoids around 50kg CO2e of carbon emissions. The study found that a refurbished phone has an 87% lower contribution to climate change (or ‘GWP’) compared to a new phone. The study also found that buying and using a refurbished phone instead of a new phone requires the extraction of 76.9kg less raw materials (page 64).
For the full study, see https://librairie.ademe.fr/dechets-economie-circulaire/5833-assessment-of-the-environmental-impact-of-a-set-of-refurbished-products.html
[4] Vodafone customers can receive up to €400 for trading in their smartphone online or in-store (Value is subject to trading in an eligible smartphone, the average trade-in value for smartphones that have met the trade-in criteria is €230). Terms Apply.
To avail of Trade-in, an eligible smartphone must power on and be free from cracks, dents and chips for further details see our T&C's
15 May 2023
Vodafone to offer 10 days of additional paid leave and flexible working options for employees caring for a vulnerable person, not limited to family members
250,000 or 1 in 9 people have a caring role outside of work. By 2030, it will be 1 in 5
Half of carers feel they are being held back from promotion on account of their responsibilities
3% of Vodafone Ireland workforce are currently undertaking caring responsibilities
15th of May 2023 Vodafone Ireland has today announced its commitment to employees that act as carers, with a new support for employees caring for a vulnerable other. Not limited to a family member, the support available to all employees, provides those caring for a vulnerable person with 10 additional days’ paid leave while also providing additional support such as, flexible start and end times and hybrid working. This is the latest in a range of initiatives by Vodafone to support employees through all stages of life.
Vodafone’s new ‘Caring for Vulnerable Others’ support is a first of its kind in Ireland that goes beyond caring for family members and is designed to allow leave for those who are playing a principal role in caring for someone and recognises that ‘loved ones’ are not just within a person’s nuclear unit and may comprise of close friends or neighbours.
The Statutory Carer’s Leave provides between 13 – 104 weeks unpaid leave for employees to take on a full-time caring role, but this is not suitable for employees with long-term caring responsibilities who wish to continue working. On that basis, Vodafone’s new support will not be limited to those caring for people with a serious illness and the 10 days leave will cover everything from hospital appointments to therapy sessions and gives carers the flexibility and peace of mind to look after their loved one without having to take unpaid leave or time away from work. Vodafone’s 10 days paid leave support can be taken flexibly to best suit the employee and their loved ones’ needs and equates to 75 working hours.
Elaine Kelly, Large Business Propositions Manager at Vodafone Ireland, and champion of the new support commented; “I am so proud to champion our new ‘Caring for Vulnerable Others’ support. As a primary carer for my thirteen-year-old son Daniel, who has autism, and long-time advocate for autism awareness and supports through Vodafone’s DiverseAbility Network, I proposed this initiative to our senior management, and it was well received from the get-go. Working with our HR team, I wanted to design a workplace policy that supports Vodafone employees through all stages of life, including those times when you are playing a principal role in caring for a vulnerable loved one, be it a child, parent, close friend, or neighbour – setting it apart from the caring policies for family members only that other companies offer”.
“This kind of support will make a massive difference to me and my family. While Daniel was diagnosed at the age of four, the therapies required for him are ongoing, including intensive Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, which generally take place during the working week. This new support comes at a great time and will give me the flexibility to choose therapy slots that suit Daniel and not the other way round. Back in 2020, I also championed a project which saw the introduction of autism-friendly hours in our stores across Ireland. It is fantastic to be part of a company that provides an open and supportive environment when bringing these supports to fruition and that understands that life is not always straight forward and that we need to make allowances for all in society”.
Vodafone hopes to raise awareness of the responsibilities of working carers and the new support was underpinned by recent research from Family Carers Ireland which showed that of the carers in Ireland, 250,000 are juggling a career alongside their caring responsibilities and over half (55%) of carers have been forced to give up on full time employment to care for a loved one. Half of carers say that their caring responsibilities are holding them back from promotion, along with 41% of working mothers saying that being a parent to a child with disabilities is holding them back from promotion.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland said; “We would like to commend Vodafone Ireland on this very progressive and innovative support for employees caring for a vulnerable other; and in particular for their generous 10 additional paid days leave for this cohort of workers. We have no doubt that this initiative will provide employees juggling care in the home with their careers with a much-needed lifeline, as well as great flexibility in terms of how and when they use these additional supports. It will also help to lift the stigma that often exists for many carers in terms of having that first conversation with their employer about their caring roles. We would encourage other employers to follow suit and put in place practical and tangible supports like these that will enable carers to remain in the paid workforce whilst caring.”
Noelle Burke, Human Resources Director at Vodafone Ireland, said; “While existing Vodafone workplace supports allow for a degree of flexibility, there is no specific support for those with caring responsibilities. When I see the research that half of carers feel they are being held back from promotion and that by 2030, 1 in 5 in Ireland will have a caring role outside of work, I can see that more awareness and workplace supports are needed for this valuable group of people”.
“So, I am delighted to introduce our new paid leave for carers, which will empower and provide our people with the flexibility to care for their loved ones without the need to compromise their careers. We appreciate that caring for a loved one, be it a child, parent, close friend or neighbour can be especially difficult when juggling a career, however our new support aims to ease some of the stress faced by carers while taking the stigma out of asking for help. Vodafone has proudly led the way on supports for employees at all stages of their life cycle. Going forward we are proud to continue our enduring sustainable, inclusive and award-winning cultural supports to reflect the world of work of today and tomorrow”.
Vodafone has been first to the market with several people-centric supports designed to promote a culture of flexibility and understanding at all stages of life, with the aim of creating a supportive environment so all employees can develop and progress in their careers. Vodafone has a market leading maternity leave policy with 26 weeks fully paid. In addition to this, returning mothers work a four-day week but get paid for five days for the first six months. In 2021, Vodafone announced 16 weeks leave for all non-birthing parents – regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or length of service. Employees availing of this support can phase their return from parental leave by working the equivalent of a 30-hour week at full pay for a further six months. Vodafone also has ground-breaking domestic violence and menopause supports in place. Vodafone’s Fertility and Pregnancy supports offer flexibility and paid leave, with a wide range of support services aided by training. This includes extended paid leave of ten days for those impacted by pregnancy loss (when this occurs prior to 24 weeks, after this full maternity leave applies), inclusive of whether the loss occurs to them, their partner or their baby’s surrogate mother. The Fertility Treatment support offers 10 paid working days leave per annum for those directly undergoing fertility treatment, and two days paid leave for partners of those having treatment.
01 October 2023
Vodafone’s NB-IoT network will enable new cutting edge ‘smart city’ technology innovations
Flood monitoring and response one of the first new solutions to be tested in the Docklands on the NB-IoT network
New innovation fund established to support SME’s and entrepreneurs piloting smart technology solutions on the NB-IoT network
26th October 2017: Vodafone Ireland, in partnership with Dublin City Council (DCC), have today announced that Vodafone’s Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network has been selected as a key connectivity enabler to the Docklands ‘Smart District’ – part of the wider ‘Smart Dublin’ initiative*.
A first of its kind in Ireland, the Docklands Smart District encourages innovation in the area by bringing together leading technology companies, research centres and other agencies with a focus on deploying the latest smart city innovations and connectivity across the quarter.
Demonstrating Vodafone’s commitment to driving a ‘Smart City’ and keeping Ireland at the forefront of smart technology innovation globally, the deployment of the company’s NB-IoT network in the docklands will enable the creation of cutting edge smart city solutions, such as smart rubbish bins - which will alert a local authority when full, reducing cost and improving the city’s cleanliness.
One of the first technologies being deployed on Vodafone’s NB-IoT network is a new product innovation which focuses on flood monitoring and response. Voguetek, an Irish SME based in Meath, is working in partnership with Vodafone and DCC to develop low cost connected sensors that will use the new Vodafone NB-IoT network to communicate potential gully blockages to the council before they become a flood hazard or risk. The technology has the potential to be used right across the country in both an urban and rural capacity.
In addition, Vodafone and DCC are today announcing the launch of a new innovation fund and supports for start-ups testing smart city technologies on the NB-IoT platform. The package, worth over €50,000, will be administered by Smart Dublin and DCU Alpha* through the website www.smartdublin.ie/VodafoneNBIOT.
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten T.D. said: “Smart technology has the potential to radically change the way we live and work in Ireland and is vital if we are to achieve our ambitions of being able to compete on a truly global stage. I want to commend both Vodafone and Dublin City Council on enabling an innovation programme of this scale, which not only has the potential to transform the day-to-day lives of every citizen, business and community in Dublin, but the benefits this can have across Ireland are limitless. Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in Ireland’s journey to becoming a world leader in the development and deployment of Internet of Things innovations.”
Anne O’Leary CEO, Vodafone Ireland said: “We are delighted to partner with Dublin City Council and to support Smart Dublin in this game-changing initiative. The Docklands Smart District has the potential to revolutionise Dublin, spring-boarding it into one of the leading smart cities of the world, substantially enhancing life for residents and businesses in the area. SMEs and start-ups will now have the opportunity to develop cutting edge technology, inspiring innovations and smart solutions that will solve city challenges and improve city life in a true ‘smart district.”
Jamie Cudden, Smart City Programme Manager, Dublin City Council, said: “Partnering with a world-class company like Vodafone is helping to drive our local innovation ecosystem and keep Dublin in the top tier of smart cities globally. The Smart Docklands District, with its density of new builds, global tech companies, smart assets and range of connectivity options, provides a unique platform for SME’s and entrepreneurs to develop new and innovative solutions that will transform the way our cities operate. We are excited about the deployment of NB-IoT and the potential advancements in smart city technology solutions it will facilitate"
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Emma Casey, Vodafone Ireland: emma.casey2@vodafone.com or 0876881571 Paul Griffin, ReputationInc: pgriffin@reputation-inc.com or 087 6674305
Notes to Editors:
About Vodafone:
Vodafone is Ireland's leading total communications provider with 2.3 million customers and employs over 2,000 people directly and indirectly in Ireland.
Vodafone provides a total range of communications solutions including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications to consumers and to small, medium and large businesses. Since 2011, Vodafone has expanded its enterprise division, offering integrated next-generation fixed and mobile solutions in addition to cloud-based platforms, machine to machine services and professional ICT support.
Vodafone Group is one of the world's leading international mobile communications groups with mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.ie
About NBIOT
Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) is a technology designed to efficiently connect millions of those internet of things devices wirelessly. NB-IoT complements Vodafone’s existing suite of IoT services and technologies, providing customers and partners with multiple connectivity options to suit a variety of operational use cases. NB‑IoT will connect many more devices to the Internet of Things and make many new applications a reality. It is optimized for applications that need to communicate small amounts of data over long periods of time.
About Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the largest Local Authority in Ireland, employing approximately 5,600 staff. The Council provides a wide and diverse range of services to the citizens of Dublin City, to businesses and to visitors to the city. Activities are carried out in both the physical works area (e.g. provision and maintenance of housing, roads, traffic management) and in the areas of arts, sports, recreation and social services (e.g. libraries, sports facilities parks, community development and housing welfare services). The City Council also provides emergency services through Dublin Fire Brigade.
About Smart Dublin*
Smart Dublin is an initiative of the four Dublin Local Authorities to engage with smart technology providers, researchers and citizens to solve challenges and improve city life, delivering a programme that encourages the creation of solutions to address city needs. It has an emphasis on using the opportunities offered by emerging technology and big data. Smart Dublin has identified mobility, environment, energy, waste and emergency management as priority challenge areas www.smartdublin.ie
30 August 2023
Developed by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation in partnership with Dublin City University (DCU) Anti-Bullying Centre and Childline by ISPCC
45% of teenagers witnessed mistreatment online and 1 in 10 children have experienced cyberbullying
New free app aims to educate and support young people with Childline Live Help feature built-in
27th August 2023, Dublin : Tozi is a new app, created by the Vodafone Foundation in partnership with DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and Childline by ISPCC, designed to empower young people to navigate the online world in safe and positive way. Teenagers are spending around 3.4 hours a day online*, this app aims to equip them with research backed learning and resources to help look after themselves when online including access to Live Help through Childline should they experience bullying or witness something that upsets them while online.
The app aims to educate, empower and support young people with the tools and advice they need to have a more positive online experience delivered through engaging features within the app:
Cosmos: A content library with stories, tips, and advice on how to handle common online/cyberbullying scenarios e.g., account hacks, ghosting, trolling, grieving and self-esteem.
Live Help: Ability to call or chat with Childline by ISPCC directly.
My Space: A private journaling area, with a gamified diary and feelings-tracker.
A recent survey by DCU’s Anti-Bullying Centre found 45% of teenagers witnessed some kind of mistreatment online**. A UNESCO’s Behind the Numbers report found that cyberbullying affects as many as one in ten children***. Tozi is intended to meet teenagers and young people where they hang out – online - and offer them the resources and tools they need to build more positive digital spaces for themselves and their peers.
Director of the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and UNESCO Chair on Bullying and Cyberbullying Prof James O’Higgins Norman said: “Our team worked with young people to co-design Tozi, a unique resource that we hope will create an environment that supports young people and their wellbeing online. We look forward to seeing the results of its use and to studying new interventions that will help children and young people stay safe online.”
John Church, ISPCC CEO, said “The Tozi app is an extremely welcome development, one that will greatly improve the digital experience of children and young people. Online safety is a key policy issue for us at Childline by ISPCC and we know first-hand the impact it can have on children’s mental health and wellbeing. The link through Tozi to the Childline 24/7 listening service which is staffed by dedicated volunteers offers an essential support to children and young people. We are very grateful to be involved with the Vodafone Foundation and DCU’s Anti-Bullying Centre on this important resource.”
Liz Roche, Head of The Vodafone Ireland Foundation said: ‘’We are delighted to partner with DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and ISPCC Childline to deliver Tozi. Growing up can throw up a myriad of social obstacles which can be tough to navigate especially as teenagers and young people are spending more time online. Tozi is designed to help young people explore their feelings while equipping them with information and advice they can trust to navigate the online world.’’
Tozi was developed as part of Vodafone Foundation Apps Against Abuse programme, which is a suite of apps designed to enable more people to live a life free from abuse. So far, the programme has used technology to connect over 2.4 million people affected by domestic violence, abuse and hate crime to advice, support and education.
The app available 24 hours a day and is free to download on iOS and Android in Ireland.
iOS link: - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tozi/id6444163877
Android link:- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.toziapp&pli=1
30 August 2024
Vodafone takes over billboards in Dublin, Cork and Galway to highlight the problem of e-waste and encourage people to recycle their unused smartphones
The campaign marks two years since the trade-in initiative launched which has seen over 35,000 devices returned to Vodafone to be reused, repurposed or recycled
28th August 2024– Vodafone Ireland announces the launch of its latest campaign aimed at tackling the growing problem of e-waste by encouraging people to recycle their unused smartphones. With over 5 million unused smartphones going to waste in Ireland, the precious raw materials they contain are being lost.
Residents and visitors passing by Dorset Street in Dublin, Summerhill North Road in Cork and Wellpark Road in Galway will see the striking billboard image depicting a literal mountain of unused smartphones, changing a scenic Irish landscape into the site of a landfill. This powerful visual aims to raise awareness of e-waste and inspire action among the public.
Vodafone’s smartphone recycling service offers a practical solution to this issue, giving unused phones a new lease of life through repair, recycling or repurposing. As part of the campaign, Vodafone is encouraging people in Dublin, Cork and Galway to trade in their unused smartphones, which can be done both online and in stores nationwide.
Commenting on the campaign, Vodafone Ireland’s CEO, Amanda Nelson said, "In 2022, we proudly launched our device trade-in service. Celebrating two years since its inception, this initiative has been well received, with over 35,000 devices physically returned to us so far. We are reminding people to dig out old phones that may be lying around in drawers and consider recycling and repurposing them.”
She also confirmed that each phone is securely wiped of its data, “Our staff are on hand to offer advice to people when removing or transferring data before recycling, for their peace of mind. Every refurbished smartphone bought and sold by Vodafone undergoes meticulous professional screening, cleaning, and thorough testing to ensure they function at the same level as new devices.”
In addition to cost savings and flexibility, Vodafone’s refurbished range, alongside its device trade-in initiative, supports the company’s commitment to promoting a circular economy for devices.
For more information on Vodafone’s Trade In service and to participate in the campaign, visit Vodafone Ireland’s website.
04 September 2023
Vodafone’s RED Family qualification criteria has been extended to now include Fixed Broadband meaning households can save a minimum €20 a month on their mobile and broadband plan, or a minimum €240 a year
Updates to the RED Family plan will see simplified and cost-effective bills for Vodafone’s new and existing broadband and mobile customers
[4th September 2023]
Vodafone have today announced more cost saving measures by updating its RED Family offer, opening the door for more customers to benefit from further reduced bills this year. Vodafone’s latest change will see its RED Family discount extended to now include Fixed Broadband, meaning Vodafone customers, new and existing, can see cost savings of a minimum €20 a month and a minimum €240 a year or up to €960.
Up to now, RED Family was a multi-mobile plan, where customers who have multiple bill pay subscriptions on one account receive a €20 discount on the third plan and any thereafter - with up to six connections permitted. Mobile only customers can continue to save today, however RED Family now includes broadband in a move that offers additional savings to loyal customers and ensures families of all shapes and sizes can access further savings. Customers will get €20 off their broadband plan when it’s added as a third line or subsequent line on their RED Family account. It also increases simplicity for customers who can enjoy the convenience of having only one bill per month for all household members.
Niall Gilmore, Head of Consumer Marketing Segments & CVM at Vodafone Ireland said; “This time of year is always a struggle for parents as their children go back to school or college, so ahead of the winter months, this latest offering will further ease the burden on households. Our updated plan will provide significant cost savings, that not only include reduced mobile bills, but now also savings on fixed broadband.
“At Vodafone, we are committed to rewarding our customers with fair pricing and hassle-free experiences. Or latest plan will allow families to bring both mobile and broadband, under the one contract, to see cost savings and taking the stress out of multiple bills for the full family.”
This latest announcement follows Vodafone’s recent game changing new broadband pricing structure to break away from the industry norm by treating every customer the same and not increasing the monthly bill after the minimum contract term. As a result of this Vodafone home broadband customers could benefit from significant cost savings of almost €1,000 over four years.
18 June 2024
New video produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions follows couple from Mitchelstown in Cork, who have learned vital online skills using Vodafone Foundation’s Hi Digital classes.
Hi Digital has to date supported over 60,000 older people in Ireland, with a goal to impact the lives of half a million older people across Europe.
5th June 2024 - Patrick and Liz Downes, a couple from Mitchelstown in Cork, are the stars of a new online video as part of the Consumer Technology Association’s 'The Human Component' series, showcasing their journey with Vodafone Foundation’s Hi Digital programme. The initiative focuses on improving digital skills and online confidence among those aged 65 and above to help combat isolation and loneliness.
The video follows 76-year-old Patrick, who rediscovered his passion for woodworking by embracing the digital world with Hi Digital. Supported by his wife Liz, a Girl Guide leader and Hi Digital Champion, and the local Girl Guides Unit, Patrick overcomes his fears to explore the internet for woodworking tools and to keep in contact with his granddaughter. Initially feeling disconnected and uninterested in modern technology following his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Patrick's life took a transformative turn with the introduction of the Hi Digital programme. Pat's resilience shines as he navigates the digital world guided by Liz and the local Girl Guides.
The five-minute video is available for viewing at Vodafone Foundation (bbc.com). The series highlights innovative technologies that are helping to support a more resilient planet, stronger societies, and healthier communities.
In response to the growing issue of digital exclusion among older adults, the Vodafone Foundation, with charity partner ALONE, launched the Hi Digital initiative in 2021. The free online Hi Digital course is split into short lessons which teach people how to access the internet, use smartphones, stay safe online and identify and avoid scams and fraud. Hi Digital has to date supported over 60,000 older people in Ireland, with the aim to directly impact the lives of half a million older people across Europe. In 2023, Vodafone Foundation launched a partnership with the Irish Girl Guides to provide Hi Digital classes in 25 of their units around Ireland. To date, 25 Girl Guides units across the country have been trained as Digital Champions and have trained over 2000 older people.
The video also features the Vodafone store team in Oliver Plunkett Street. Retail Advisor Judy Collins introduces Hi Digital Drop-In Fridays, where older people can drop into their local Vodafone store for free, practical support and advice on phones and tablets every Friday between 10.00-1.00pm. Stores in Cork include: Oliver Plunkett Street, Main Street Midleton, Wilton Shopping Centre, and Mahon Point Shopping Centre. Drop-In Fridays is open to all, Vodafone, and non-Vodafone customers alike.
Liz Downes, reflecting on her involvement with Hi Digital, said: “It's about more than just teaching digital skills, it's about fostering connections and breaking down barriers that can leave older generations feeling isolated. Through Hi Digital, we're building bridges between generations and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.”
Judy Collins, Vodafone Retail Advisor in Oliver Plunket Street, said: “I am delighted to see this video come to life, showcasing the fantastic impact the Hi Digital initiative has on the older generation. It's heart-warming to witness stories like Patrick and Liz's and see first-hand how Hi Digital is empowering older people with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world, reclaim their passions and stay connected with loved ones. We are thrilled to be able to provide this support”.