Vodafone Group Plc has partnered with Alphabet Inc.’s Google to bring cloud services, generative artificial intelligence tools, and cybersecurity solutions to its customers across Europe and Africa.
The 10-year expansion of an existing partnership will enable Vodafone to promote Google’s cloud storage subscriptions, including Google One AI Premium, which provides access to the Gemini chatbot, as announced in a statement on Tuesday.
The UK-based operator will also demonstrate how customers can utilize the AI features of the latest Pixel devices in its stores.
“It’s partly because the nature of the device and the nature of the experience people have at the device is going to change as AI becomes much more prominent on the device,” said Thomas Kurian, chief executive officer of Google Cloud. Google and Vodafone are working “to make it super easy for people to experience those things and to make a purchasing decision.”
Telecommunications providers are increasingly seeking to diversify their revenue streams by offering digital services alongside connectivity. In doing so, they aim to replicate the success of major tech companies that have amassed substantial profits while many operators have struggled.
Vodafone will also leverage Google’s technology to enhance search, recommendations, and ad targeting for its Vodafone TV box service, as well as develop a new cloud cybersecurity product for business users, according to the statement.