Global mobile giant Vodafone has opened an R&D facility called the Xone in Redwood City, right at the heart of Silicon Valley.
The firm, which claims to be one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies by revenue boasting 382 million customers in over 30 countries, says it hopes the new center will give a leg up to US startups by providing “technical expertise, potential financial assistance, logistical support and facilities.”
Those firms that choose to take advantage of the offer would also apparently “gain a fast track into proof-of-concept user trials across Vodafone’s global network,” an enticing offer for any company hoping to have global impact.
Vodafone says its center will also collaborate with other local R&D labs, leading US universities and VCs “to promote innovative technologies.”
The mobile carrier says up to 24 companies at a time will be able to use on-site office and test space at Vodafone Xone, where they’ll be able to get commercial feedback, support from Vodafone’s team and business development mentoring.
Startups will also be able to test out their products in the Xone’s test and development lab which is purportedly a fully functional replica of Vodafone’s global networks including a protected environment where developers can run products tests without interference.
“Capabilities include 2G/3G/LTE radio and an Internet Protocol (IP) network together with access to the IP service framework IP Multimedia Subsystem,” said the firm.
The center is also closely aligned with Verizon’s Innovation Centers in San Francisco and Waltham, Mass., opening up the option for 4G LTE network testing in the U.S. too.
The mobile operator’s corporate venture capital arm – Vodafone Ventures – will also be active in the Valley, to “assess options for strategic investments in startups,” according to a press release.
Analyst Steve Hilton from Analysys Mason said the move was “a big deal” because of the sheer number of technology startups in Silicon Valley. “Being on the ground floor for finding and nurturing these types of companies is important for Vodafone. Xone is going to be measured on the number of excellent new products it brings to proof of concept,” he told RCR.
Vodafone, he said, also wants to ensure it can foster growth in areas like wireless applications, M2M and healthcare solutions while playing a a more active R&D role in the U.S.
“While Vodafone has partial ownership of Verizon Wireless, it obviously wanted more direct involvement in the R&D of solutions from US-based start-ups,” said Mason.
The firm, which claims to be one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies by revenue boasting 382 million customers in over 30 countries, says it hopes the new center will give a leg up to US startups by providing “technical expertise, potential financial assistance, logistical support and facilities.”
Those firms that choose to take advantage of the offer would also apparently “gain a fast track into proof-of-concept user trials across Vodafone’s global network,” an enticing offer for any company hoping to have global impact.
Vodafone says its center will also collaborate with other local R&D labs, leading US universities and VCs “to promote innovative technologies.”
The mobile carrier says up to 24 companies at a time will be able to use on-site office and test space at Vodafone Xone, where they’ll be able to get commercial feedback, support from Vodafone’s team and business development mentoring.
Startups will also be able to test out their products in the Xone’s test and development lab which is purportedly a fully functional replica of Vodafone’s global networks including a protected environment where developers can run products tests without interference.
“Capabilities include 2G/3G/LTE radio and an Internet Protocol (IP) network together with access to the IP service framework IP Multimedia Subsystem,” said the firm.
The center is also closely aligned with Verizon’s Innovation Centers in San Francisco and Waltham, Mass., opening up the option for 4G LTE network testing in the U.S. too.
The mobile operator’s corporate venture capital arm – Vodafone Ventures – will also be active in the Valley, to “assess options for strategic investments in startups,” according to a press release.
Analyst Steve Hilton from Analysys Mason said the move was “a big deal” because of the sheer number of technology startups in Silicon Valley. “Being on the ground floor for finding and nurturing these types of companies is important for Vodafone. Xone is going to be measured on the number of excellent new products it brings to proof of concept,” he told RCR.
Vodafone, he said, also wants to ensure it can foster growth in areas like wireless applications, M2M and healthcare solutions while playing a a more active R&D role in the U.S.
“While Vodafone has partial ownership of Verizon Wireless, it obviously wanted more direct involvement in the R&D of solutions from US-based start-ups,” said Mason.
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