Why protecting our network matters

When you think of Vodafone, what comes to mind? Phones, perhaps. But Vodafone is so much more than just a mobile network provider. Our infrastructure is a lifeline that links communities, powers economies, and supports critical services. Operating in many countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia, we serve over 355m mobile and broadband customers.

As society’s reliance on connectivity grows, protecting this network isn’t just a technical necessity. It’s a responsibility to everyone who depends on it, including customers, businesses and governments.

Critical infrastructure from seabed to stars

Vodafone’s end-to-end infrastructure stretches from subsea cables to satellites, making the company a cornerstone of security and resilience.

Our commitment is reflected in robust physical security, advanced cyber defence, and strategic programmes to future-proof our infrastructure, such as our work to make systems quantum-safe, Open RAN - to build more flexible mobile networks - and satellite connectivity.

With a leading global managed IoT connectivity business, physical infrastructure in 74 countries, and one of the world’s largest wholesale carrier businesses, Vodafone prioritises secure connection and protection for societies and economies - even in the face of today’s hybrid threats, from cutting subsea cables to new spoofing technologies.

By supporting governments, major companies in the DAX 40 and FTSE 100, SMEs, and public services, Vodafone is embedded in the international security ecosystem and is invested in safeguarding our digital future.

Cyber security at scale

As the scale and complexity of global infrastructure grows, so too does the need for robust cyber defence. We protect not just physical assets, but also the data and digital services that underpin Europe’s security and resilience.

We operate cyber capabilities with an in-house international team of over 900 employees across all cyber domains. Our Cyber Defence Centre provides round-the-clock protection for Vodafone’s infrastructure and data, monitoring billions of events and logs from sensors across our footprint each year for potential threats.

Vodafone is also a partner to national security agencies, including the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, and Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). These partnerships enable mutual threat intelligence sharing and coordinated response to emerging risks. We also collaborate with other large telcos and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) providers.

Our international footprint allows us to respond rapidly to cross-border threats, as demonstrated during the 2022 cyber attack in Portugal, where support from teams in Germany and Italy helped restore services swiftly.

In an era of hybrid threats that transcend borders, Vodafone’s cyber defence capabilities are not just a corporate asset - they are integral to Europe’s collective resilience.

Resilient networks on land

While digital threats demand constant vigilance, the resilience of our physical terrestrial networks is equally vital to ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and service for our customers.

At the heart of Vodafone’s terrestrial network protection are 24/7 Network Operations Centres (NOCs), which continuously monitor the health of tens of thousands of mast sites across our markets.

The NOCs coordinate field engineers, scale response during extreme weather events, and use real-time environmental data, such as temperature spikes or equipment alerts, to trigger rapid interventions.

This centralised oversight is supported by strong operational partnerships with specialist tower companies like Vantage Towers, who help maintain high standards of security, compliance and maintenance across our infrastructure.

Our infrastructure is designed with strategic redundancy in mind, ensuring that if one mast or link fails, traffic can be rerouted to maintain service continuity.

To further safeguard operations during power outages, many mast sites are equipped with backup batteries and generator connection points, while our core sites and data centres are always secured for resilience.

The masts themselves are engineered to withstand harsh conditions, with robust structures and secure enclosures. Preventative maintenance, such as vegetation clearance, is regularly carried out to protect signal integrity.

Looking ahead, we are exploring digital twin technology to simulate and optimise mast performance and deploying self-powered “eco-masts” in remote areas that run entirely on solar and wind energy - innovations that support both network resilience and long-term sustainability.

Subsea security

Just as our terrestrial infrastructure is built for resilience and redundancy, our subsea network is also critical to maintaining global connectivity and safeguarding the flow of data across continents.

Vodafone’s subsea cable network is a critical component of global connectivity. We have capacity over 70 subsea cable systems across 100 countries, giving over 700 million people access to a quality connection.

To ensure resilience, Vodafone owns and operates a diverse portfolio of assets - including cable landing stations and data centres- designed with strategic redundancy so that if one cable is damaged, traffic can be rerouted across alternative routes with minimal disruption.

On average, Vodafone carries out 3-4 cable repairs annually, responding to incidents caused by anchors, fishing activity or seismic events. These operations are supported by strong industry partnerships and rapid-response capabilities. As an industry leader, Vodafone advocates for stronger collective defence through EU and NATO initiatives, calling for enhanced surveillance, harmonised regulation, and public-private collaboration.

These efforts reflect our commitment to securing the invisible submarine infrastructure that powers the digital economy.

Resilience for whatever comes next

In an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world, the resilience of digital infrastructure is not optional - it’s essential. Vodafone’s investment in end-to-end connectivity, from seabed to stars, reflects our commitment to securing the networks that underpin modern society.

Whether defending against evolving cyber threats, maintaining robust terrestrial and subsea systems, or partnering with governments to strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty, Vodafone is working to get everyone connected while also helping to maintain trust in our digital future.

As threats evolve, so too will our response, driven by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering focus on resilience.