Vodafone ‘looking at options’ for Italy, its final problem market

LONDON/MILAN: British telecoms group Vodafone said it was considering a range of options for Italy, the last of the “challenging” markets it has vowed to tackle, after a return to growth in Germany in the second quarter boosted its top line.

CEO Margherita Della Valle said her steps to simplify the company and focus on customers had delivered growth in 14 out of 17 markets. Spain and Italy remained the exceptions in Vodafone’s major markets.

Vodafone announced the sale of its Spanish business last month for 5 billion euros, after agreeing in June to merge its UK unit with Hutchison’s Three.