Vodafonewatch, issue 2008.11-12 snapshot
27 December 2008
GROUP: Vodafone made an possibly opportunistic £20m cash offer for Wayfinder Systems, a navigational software firm. The operator was also rumoured to be considering the possibility of buying a majority share of Nigerian telco NITEL. [pp.3-4.]
Issue: 2008.11-12
Covering: 5 November to 22 December 2008
Published: December 2008
Next issue: January 2009
Vodafone and its rich web of OpCos — tracked and analysed worldwide. A unique monthly report for the industry.
ABOUT VODAFONEWATCH
- Vodafonewatch is the only independent monitor of everything and anything to do with Vodafone Group, worldwide. Nothing else comes close.
- Thorough, impartial, accessible, and time-saving. Covering not just the world’s number-one mobile group and its many operating companies, but also providing coverage of its wider interests, including Verizon Wireless, Vodacom, China Mobile, SFR, Polkomtel, Safaricom, Partner Markets, and much more.
- Our ‘watch’ titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party intelligence. Considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
- A unique source of valuable opportunities, knowledge, planning, strategy, and much more. Both tactical tool and strategic reference. An invaluable reference, input and even springboard for corporate planning, reporting, and meetings.
- A ‘must-have’ for sales teams focused on high-value sales, maintaining strategic relationships, and managing extended sales cycles. Just one nugget, insight, or validation can pay for the service many times over.
- Pricing typically USD $4k / EUR EUR3k / UKP £2.5k per year for a workgroup or small/midsize account, tailored to meet your needs and situation. Delivered electronically 10-12 times a year. Also available are back issues, which provide unparalleled reference and insight into major events, strategic initiatives, financials and KPIs.
- Contact us for further information, including samples and evaluation trial requests. info@marketmettle.com / +44-20-7083-0055.
- Below is a free taster from issue 2008.11-12 (5 November to 22 December 2008), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.
EXECUTIVE BRIEF
GROUP: Vodafone made an possibly opportunistic £20m cash offer for Wayfinder Systems, a navigational software firm. The operator was also rumoured to be considering the possibility of buying a majority share of Nigerian telco NITEL. [pp.3-4.]
Vodafone reported results for the half year ending 30 September 2008, which were flattered by weakness in sterling, but were still ahead of expectations. Group revenue was up 17.1% (but flat on a constant currency basis) and both operating profit and EBITDA increased by more than 10%. Mobile data revenue was up 48% as 3G devices proliferate. Vodafone closed the quarter with a total of 246 million customers, up 16.7% on last year. Profit forecasts were reiterated and cashflow forecasts raised, but revenue expectations were reduced for the second time in four months. [pp.5-16.]
Analysts welcomed an update to Vodafone’s 2006 “five point strategy” by Vodafone Chief Executive Vittorio Colao, with the company claiming it had broadly achieved its previous goals and new challenges had emerged, which had led it to introduce four key objectives: driving operational performance; pursuing growth opportunities in Total Communications; executing in emerging markets; and strengthening capital discipline. The update looks like an evolution of existing goals, rather than a complete revision of strategy from the new Chief Executive. [pp.11-13.]
Vodafone is to end its £4m-per-year sponsorship of the England cricket team. [p.17.]
Vodafone Group tied with Last.fm to bring new music and social-networking functionality to customers around the globe. [p.18.]
Reports were mixed on the success of Vodafone’s launch of the BlackBerry Storm device across various markets. Any hopes that the device would become an “iPhone killer” proved to be unfounded. Although early sales were said to be strong, there were also reports of customer dissatisfaction with early shipments of the device, and possible high rates of returns. [pp.21-22,41.]
Tellabs was awarded a contract to overhaul Ethernet backhaul networks for Vodafone in ten countries. [p.23.]
A US-based securities class action against Vodafone for allegedly artificially inflating its share price by issuing false statements was dismissed on a technicality. [p.23.]
Vodafone was named as another high-profile member of the Open Handset Alliance, which is focused on developing the Google-led Android open mobile platform. The Group is also launching a community intended to encourage development of new “widgets” among developers working with Vodafone. [pp.24-25.]
WESTERN EUROPE: Termination rate cuts were confirmed in France, which could cost SFR EUR500m over the next two years. [p.27.]
In Germany, it was confirmed that Vodafone is to drop the Arcor brand for fixed-line services in 2009, as the company positions itself as a universal communication services provider. New fixed-line broadband services were also launched in the country and there were rumours of a possible Vodafone bid for cableco KDG, or Telecom Italia’s HanseNet German business, to reinforce Vodafone’s position in the German fixed-line market. [pp.30-31.]
In Ireland, Vodafone signed an MVNO agreement with An Post, the country’s mail service. 150 job cuts were announced for Ireland. Vodafone Ireland is to offer a new aggregated mobile social-networking service, following a deal with JuiceCaster. [pp.31-32.]
Vodafone Italy agreed a deal to offer customers video content from provider Babelgum on selected handsets without attracting additional data charges. Vodafone Italy and Nokia Siemens Networks are testing an HSDPA upgrade to its 3G network, raising the prospect of up-to-14.4Mbps mobile broadband in the country. [p.33.]
In the Netherlands, Vodafone was pressured into reversing a decision to restrict access speeds for its basic mobile internet offering, after protests. [p.34.]
Vodafone Portugal will offer new navigation solutions to customers in 2009, following a partnership agreement with TomTom. [p.35.]
A new mobile music download application was launched by Vodafone Spain, offering access to more than one million songs via mobile handsets. Vodafone Spain entered a deal with pay-TV business Digital+, to offer bundled television and DSL broadband services. [pp.36-37.]
In the UK, Vodafone and O2 are expected to take their rivalry further into the B2B space by offering more solutions in the managed services and IT space. There were reports that bonuses could be cut in the UK, unless performance at the OpCo improves. A new PAYG mobile broadband offering was launched by Vodafone in the UK, as the cost of mobile internet access continued to fall. Vodafone UK launched a new IOU service for pre-pay customers, enabling them to continue using services while out of credit. Vodafone UK is partnering Telmap for a mapping and navigation service for the BlackBerry Storm. [pp.38-43.]
EASTERN EUROPE: 724 Solutions is providing Vodafone Czech Republic with a mobile internet service platform, which is expected to result in the launch of a range of new services in the country in 2009. [p.46.]
Vodafone Romania added a range of new channels to its mobile advertising service, which will enable advertisers to target customers via MMS and other means. The development is thought to be linked to the Romanian OpCo’s new partnership with mobile advertising specialist MADS. The Romanian regulator ordered a cut in interconnection charges, which Vodafone complained favoured smaller operators. [pp.47-48.]
Vodafone is to pay EUR250m for a 3G licence in Turkey, after being beaten to the first-tier of spectrum by Turkcell. Huawei is to provide the infrastructure for the rollout, usurping existing network partner Motorola, which may be paying the price for problems with the existing Turkish infrastructure. [pp.48-49.]
MENA: The courts in India delivered a decision that could be a major setback to Vodafone in its attempts to prove it is not liable for $2bn in taxes relating to its acquisition of a controlling stake in Hutchison Essar. 3G auctions are to commence in India in mid-January 2009, with a nationwide licence possibly costing £272m. [pp.52-54.]
Vodafone began trials of international money transfers between UK and Kenya using the Safaricom M-PESA system. However, M-PESA is to be audited by the Kenyan government, acting on money laundering and security concerns. [pp.19,56.]
Safaricom is resisting calls for number portability in the Kenyan market. Fixed-data communication services were launched by Safaricom in Kenya, based on services from recently-acquired subsidiary One Communications. [pp.57-58.]
Vodafone Qatar awarded a core network support contract to local IT services provider Meeza. [p.59.]
Vodacom in South Africa opened a new data centre in Johannesburg. [p.60.]
PACIFIC: The rollout of 3G in Australia saw customers in New South Wales experiencing significant teething problems, while across the country mobile broadband tariffs saw price cuts. Vodafone Fiji also began its 3G rollout. [pp.63-64,65.]
In New Zealand, Vodafone squabbled with incumbent Telecom over advertising claims, but united to question a review of termination rates and both also expressed dissatisfaction with universal service obligations. The New Zealand OpCo announced a quad-play offering in conjunction with Sky TV, and is providing advanced metering solutions to energy network provider Vector. It also won a government WAN services contract with TelstraClear, sparking renewed merger rumours. [pp.65-68.]
ASSOCIATES & INVESTMENTS: The Verizon-Alltel deal was cleared by the US FTC, and should now be completed in early-2009. Verizon announced it had arranged $17bn in re-financing for the deal.
Verizon Wireless is now expected to begin a rollout of 4G LTE technology in 2009 not, as previously expected, 2010. [pp.69-70.]
China Mobile is preparing to launch a mobile phone operating system based on Google’s Android platform, according to reports, as it intensifies its efforts around value-added services. The Chinese operator is close to its targets for 3G trial customer numbers, and was reported to have signed a number of deals with vendors for 3G infrastructure. Meanwhile, network-sharing agreements were signed between the Chinese mobile operators. [pp.71-76.]
Bharti Airtel is expected to finally launch its delayed mobile network in Sri Lanka before the end of 2008. [p.77.]
SOFTBANK MOBILE saw continued strong growth in subscriber numbers, but there were reports that parent company SOFTBANK CORP. could lose more than £500m on financial derivatives linked to the purchase of the operator from Vodafone in 2006. [pp.77-78.]
EXTRACT
Storm fails to trump iPhone
Following the recent launch of the BlackBerry Storm from Research in Motion (RIM) across various Vodafone markets, consumer feedback is beginning to emerge that, impressive though the device is, it fails in its implicit raison d’etre of besting Apple’s iPhone 3G.
Despite better specification in some areas — such as the quality of the integrated camera, expandable storage, video-recording, stereo Bluetooth functionality, the ability to ‘cut and paste’ text, standard headphone jacks, and document editing — the response to the Storm suggests it falls short of the iPhone’s ability to tie up the “entire experience into one satisfying easy-to-use package”.
” Vodafone is obviously positioning the Storm as its answer to the iPhone. It’s got a good screen and the total package is good, but it’s not an iPhone. It lacks the usability of the iPhone, and lacks the applications and the integration of games, music, photos — the whole entertainment side that the iPhone does so well. ”
– Caroline Milanesi, analyst, Gartner.
One specific area of criticism for the Storm is its surePress touch-screen technology, which requires users to press on the screen to confirm the selection of a touched icon. Designed to avoid accidental presses, the system was not universally welcomed by consumers, who found it added unnecessary steps to navigation, and made typing time on longer messages slightly more time-consuming. Early shipments also drew criticism over build quality, buggy software, and poor battery life, though these areas are addressable. These initial flaws may have led to a high rate of returns, partly due to the pressure of Vodafone UK’s limited 14-day cooling-off period, which compares unfavourably with the 45 days reportedly given to Storm customers by Verizon Wireless in the USA. However, both Vodafone and Verizon Wireless are reported to have denied rumours that as many as half of all Storm devices had been returned by early buyers, with Verizon apparently claiming return rates below average, and a Vodafone spokesperson saying that return rates were not as high as rumoured and “probably just in line with normal handset figures”.
On the positive side, the Storm was praised for a superior internet experience with a mainstream internet browser available in Mozilla Firefox-, Microsoft Internet Explorer-, and mobile streamlined-modes. The addition of a spell-checker for entering internet and email addresses was also welcomed. However, the Storm fell short in its comparison to the iPhone for its lack of Wi-Fi support, which is described as a “major flaw”.
Another major problem for some customers was the initial absence of support for RIM’s class-leading BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), with customers in the UK making claims of being mis-sold over both the absence of support (a major problem for BES users porting in from rival operators) and the hidden extra cost for enabling BES, which was not detailed at purchase. Vodafone UK subsequently revised its previous £28-per-month (EUR31.28) BES pricing following the launch of the Storm, creating a £25-per-month Standard (500MB) tariff and a £37.50 High Usage (5GB) variant, but this exercise also exposed inconsistency in past and present BES pricing, with users sometimes charged nothing or a more compelling £5 (similar to T-Mobile UK’s standard BES upgrade).
Unexpectedly, this indicates that Vodafone UK is still failing to exploit the full potential of BlackBerry services, perhaps due to mistakenly deeming the Storm as a pure play consumer device, and thus leaving the continued glaring opportunity to offer a reasonably priced and well promoted all-inclusive offering that bundles Microsoft’s hosted email Exchange Server that is targeted at the wider market.
In short, while the Storm bests the iPhone with a number of additional features and applications, its introduction may have been overly rushed, and these benefits appear unable to outweigh the fact that the iPhone still has the more elegant interface, a facet regarded as of the highest importance among its target consumers.
In addition, the Storm may have only a limited window of opportunity as the ‘new kid on the block‘, with Nokia set to launch its N97 rival device in early-2009, promising a device that looks to combine the handset leader’s traditional strengths with a new form factor (touch screen and slider keyboard) and its expanded Ovi assault on mass-market mobile email and other consumer value-added services. It seems very likely that RIM is working on a successor or compatriot to the Storm that tackles its weaknesses by adding Wi-Fi and a slider keyboard, and probably does away with exclusivity for Vodafone and Verizon Wireless.
RIM announced the availability of the first firmware update for the BlackBerry Storm, to tackle problems with the Storm’s keyboard, issues associated with volume levels, random reboots, and others. The update, known as 4.7.0.75, is currently available for download at Crackberry.com, the unofficial BlackBerry enthusiast website, with an official “over-the-air” update expected in December 2008 for both Vodafone and Verizon Wireless users.
Vodafone Germany offers EUR70,000 prizes for Storm apps
Underlining its commitment to the BlackBerry Storm, Vodafone Germany launched a contest to develop “intelligent and pioneering” software for the new device, and has put up a EUR50,000 (£44,750) reward for the best entry, EUR15,000 for the second best, and EUR5,000 for the third.
The contest runs until 30 April 2009, when the entries will be judged by a panel of Vodafone experts.
[Further reference: Vodafone denies any BlackBerry Storm return issues -- Mobile Computer, 19 December 2008; Blackberry Storm OS update unofficially available online -- ITProPortal.com, 2 December 2008; Storm a blast, but doesn't trump iPhone -- San Francisco Chronicle -- 20 November 2008; New BlackBerrys cool but can't beat iPhone -- AFX, 20 November 2008; Vodafone offers EUR 50,000 for the best software developed for the new and innovative BlackBerry Storm -- Vodafone, 17 November 2008; BlackBerry Storm battles with the iPhone -- The Times, 14 November 2008.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Group
3 M&A
4 People
5 Financial
17 Marketing
18 Products and services
22 Operations
23 Suppliers; Legal; Society
24 Regulatory; Technology
26 Ventures
27 Western Europe
27 France
29 Germany
31 Greece; Ireland
33 Italy
34 Malta; Netherlands
35 Portugal
36 Spain
37 United Kingdom
45 Eastern Europe
45 Poland — Polkomtel
46 Czech Republic
47 Romania
48 Turkey
50 MEAA
51 Ghana
52 India
56 Kenya
59 Qatar
60 South Africa
61 Mozambique
62 Tanzania
63 Pacific
63 Australia
65 Fiji; New Zealand
69 AIP
69 Verizon Wireless
70 China Mobile
75 Bharti Airtel
77 SOFTBANK MOBILE
78 SmarTone-Vodafone
79 INDEX
INDEX
7
724 Solutions Software, Inc., 46
A
ADC, 58
Aditya Birla Group
- Idea Cellular, 52, 54, 75
- – Indus Towers, 52, 75
ADT, 28
Africa, 4-5, 7-9, 13, 17, 36, 50, 56-58, 60-62
- Congo, 60
- East Africa, 5, 7-9, 50, 56
- Egypt, 5, 7-9, 60
- Ghana, 4, 9, 51, 60
- Kenya, 9, 19, 56-60
- – Central Bank of Kenya, 56-57
- – Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), 57
- – Government, 56-57
- – Legal, 56
- Lesotho, 60
- Mozambique, 60-61
- Nigeria, 4
- Rwanda, 57
- South Africa, 9, 17, 36, 58, 60-62
- – Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), 60
- Tanzania, 57, 60, 62
AIRCOM, 62
Aircom International, 62
Allianz SE
- Desdner Bank AG, 14
ALLTEL Corporation, 10, 69-70
Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), 65
- Telecom Fiji, 65
- Vodafone Fiji, 65
Amdocs Ltd, 70
Americas, 5-6, 21, 23, 69
- Brazil, 31
- Caribbean, 65
- United States of America (USA), 5-6, 21, 23, 33, 53, 69-70
- – Department of Justice (DoJ), 69
- – Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 69-70
- – Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), 53
- – States, 23
- – - New York, 23
Amobee Media Systems, 47
Apple, 15, 21-22, 25, 28, 33-34, 41, 43, 71
- iPhone, 15, 21-22, 25, 28, 33-34, 41, 43
Asia-Pacific, 5, 7-9, 50, 53, 63, 72
- Australia, 7, 9, 17-18, 36, 63-64
- China, 9, 12, 25, 70-76
- – Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), 75
- – Government, 71-75
- – Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), 75
- – Province/Municipality/Region, 70, 72, 76
- – - Beijing, 72, 76
- – - Guangdong, 70
- Fiji, 9, 65
- Hong Kong, 78
- India, 5, 7-9, 12, 16, 18, 52-56, 75-77
- – Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), 53
- – Department of Telecommunications (DoT), 54
- – Government, 52-54, 56
- – Income Tax Department, 15-16, 52
- – Legal, 52-53, 55-56
- – Licence Circles, 54
- – - Andhra Pradesh, 33
- – - Himachal Pradesh, 24, 42
- – - Karnataka, 54
- – - Kerala, 55
- – Telecom Commission, 54
- – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), 53
- Japan, 6, 77
- New Zealand, 9, 18, 36, 47, 65-68
- – Commerce Commission, 65-67
- – Defence Force, 68
- – Telecommunications Services Obligations (TSO), 65
- Pakistan, 73
- Singapore, 8
- Sri Lanka, 77
ASPire Group, 40, 70
ASUSTek (Asus), 24
AT&T, 4, 9, 69
Avenir Telecom, 5
Axel Springer AG
- Die Welt Gruppe, 30
B
Babel Networks Ltd (Babelgum), 33
Bain & Co., 5
Bank of America, 70
BC Partners
- Intelsat Ltd, 61
Bercut Ltd, 62
Betfair.com, 6
Bharti Group, 52-55, 75-77
- Bharti Airtel, 52-55, 75-77
- – Indus Towers, 52, 75
- – Kohli, Manoj, 54
- – Nishball, David, 76
- Bharti Enterprises, 75, 77
- Bharti Infotel, 75
- Mittal, Sunil Bharti, 76
Bouygues Group, 27
BPL Communications Ltd
- BPL Mobile Communications Ltd, 55-56
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 26
BSkyB, 42, 66
- Sky, 42, 66
- Sky Mobile TV, 66
BT Group, 24, 38, 40
C
Capgemini, 72
Carat Media, 32
Carphone Warehouse, 37-38
- Opal Telecom, 38
- TalkTalk, 37
Central/Eastern Europe, 5, 7-9, 45
- Czech Republic, 9, 46, 59
- Hungary, 9, 47
- Poland, 9, 45-46
- – Electronic Communication Office (UKE, Poland), 46
- – Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), 46
- Romania, 8-9, 47-48
- – National Authority for Regulation in Communications and Information Technology (ANC/ANRCTI/ANRC), 47-48
- Russia, 62
- Turkey, 5, 7-9, 12, 36, 48-49
Centre for Telecoms Research, 47
CGP Investments, 53
China Center for Information Industry Development, 76
- CCID Consulting, 76
China Mobile, 9, 12, 25, 70-76
- Monternet, 75
- Union Mobile Pay (UMPay, see also China UnionPay), 74
- Wang Jianzhou, 71-72
- Zong (Paktel/CMPak), 73
China Telecom, 70, 73-75
China TieTong Telecommunications Corporation, 73-74
China UnionPay, 74
- Union Mobile Pay (UMPay, see also China Mobile), 74
China United Telecommunications (China Unicom), 70, 73-75
Cisco Systems, 70
Citigroup, 70
Clash-Media, 7
Comverse Technology, 30
CoShopper Asia Pacific, 8
Current Analysis, 4
cVidya Networks, 30
D
DaimlerChrysler
- Mercedes~Benz, 43
Data Select, 5
Datang, 74
Debitel, 27
Dell, 35, 44, 63
Deutsche Telekom, 21, 31, 38, 40, 45-46
- Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), 45-46
- T-Mobile International, 21, 38, 40
- – UK, 21, 38, 40
Digicel, 65
- Fiji, 65
Doughty Hanson & Co.
- TV3 Television Network Limited, 32
DSG International plc
- PC World, 70
Dynamix Balwas Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd
- Tiger Trustees Pvt. Ltd
- – Swan Telecom, 54
E
eBay
- PayPal, 63
Econet Wireless Group, 56
- Kenya, 56
EMOBILE Ltd, 77
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), 17
Ericsson, 4, 24-25, 32, 44, 72, 74
Essar Group, 52-56, 75
- BPL Mobile (see also separate listing), 55-56
- Econet Wireless, 56
- Essar Communications, 56
- – Econet Wireless (see also separate entry), 56
- Vodafone Essar, 7-8, 52-56, 75
Etisalat, 54
European Union, 24, 27-28
- European Commission, 24, 27
F
F-Secure Corp., 65
F5 Networks, Inc., 24
Facebook, 32, 43, 65
Fininvest S.p.A
- Mediaset
- – Gestevisión Telecinco, S.A., 36
First Mobile, 33
Firstgate Holding AG (Web Pay)
- Click&Buy, 18
Fonehouse, 38
Formula One, 17, 43
France Télécom, 4, 27-28, 38, 40, 45-46, 48, 56
- Orange, 4, 27-28, 38, 40, 45, 48, 56
- – France, 27-28
- – Poland (see also Telekomunikacja Polska), 45-46
- – Romania, 48
- – Telkom Kenya (see also separate entry), 56
- – UK, 38, 40
G
Gamesys Ltd, 7
Garmin Ltd, 24
Gartner Group, 21
Gateway Communications, 36
Gemalto NV, 72
Genesis Energy, 68
GIGABYTE Communications, Inc., 31
GlaxoSmithKline, 5
Global Insight, 14
Google, 15, 18, 24-25, 32, 43, 71-72
- Android, 15, 24-25, 71-72
- Blogger, 32
- MySpace, 18, 32
- Orkut, 32
- Picasa, 43
GSM Association, 19
H
Hellenic Telecoms (OTE), 48
- COSMOTE, 48
Hewlett-Packard, 24, 42
hi5 Networks, 32
High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC), 28
Huawei Technologies, 13, 36, 49, 74
- Vodafone Station, 13
Hutchison Whampoa
- 3 Group, 9, 52-53
- – 3 Australia, 9
- Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd, 52-53
I
IDC, 3, 40
Indus Towers, 52, 75
Internode Pty Ltd, 7
Interpublic
- Initiative, 32
J
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), 59
JPMorgan Chase, 14
JuiceCaster Wireless, Inc., 32
K
KDDI, 77
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), 57
KGHM, 45
Kirusa, Inc., 53
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, 5
KongZhong Corp., 75
KPMG International, 5
KPN, 34
KXEN, Inc., 35
L
Last.fm Ltd, 18
Lehman Brothers, 5
Lenovo, 71-72
LiMo Foundation, 24
M
MADS, 46-47
McKinsey & Co, 8
McLaren Group, 17, 43
- Hamilton, Lewis, 17, 43
MEEZA, 59
Microsoft, 21-22
Middle East, 5, 7-9, 13, 50, 59-60
- Egypt, 5, 7-9, 60
- Qatar, 59-60
- – Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, 59-60
Mind Share, 38
Mobile Commerce, 74
Mobitelea Ventures, 56
Morgan Stanley, 4, 10, 12, 16, 57, 70
Motorola, 18, 49, 72, 74
Mozilla Foundation, 21
MTN, 57, 60, 76
- Rwanda, 57
- South Africa, 60
N
News Corp.
- FOX Broadcasting, 7
- Fox Interactive Media, Inc. (FIM), 32
- – Photobucket, Inc., 32
- Fox Mobile Entertainment, 7
- Sky, 42, 66
- SKY Network Television (New Zealand), 66
- YouTube, 32, 43
Nokia, 4, 18, 22, 25-26, 32-33, 44, 71-72, 77
- Ovi, 22
- – Music Store, 18
- S60, 18
Nokia Siemens Networks, 33
Nortel, 40
NTT
- DoCoMo, 77
NZ Communications, 65
O
OGCbuying.solutions, 40-41
Oger Telecom, 48
- Avea, 48
Olympic Games
- 2008 Olympic Games (Beijing), 72, 76
Omnicom
- OMD, 32
Omnifone Ltd, 36
- MusicStation, 36
Open Handset Alliance (OHA), 15, 24-25, 71-72
- Android, 15, 24-25, 71-72
Option International, 33, 35
P
P4 Sp. z o.o., 46
Palm, 66
Phones4U, 38, 41
Picsel Technologies Ltd, 6
Pioneer, 18
PKN Orlen, 45
PocketGamer.co.uk, 42
Polkomtel, 9, 45-46
- Plus GSM, 45
Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE), 45
An Post, 31
PricewaterhouseCoopers, 52-53
Promotora de Informaciones, S.A. (Grupo PRISA)
- Sogecable S.A., 37
Providence Equity Partners, 31
- KDG Holding GmbH (Kabel Deutschland), 31
PTC, 45-46
Q
Qatar Foundation Consortium, 59-60
Qatar Telecom (Qtel), 59
Qualcomm, Inc., 66
R
Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), 32
RCS MediaGroup, 48
RealNetworks, 36
Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group
- Reliance Communications (RCom), 53, 55
Research In Motion, 13, 21-22, 24, 27-28, 30, 38, 41, 43-44, 47
- BlackBerry, 13, 21-22, 24, 27-28, 30, 38, 41, 43-44, 47
S
Safaricom, 19, 56-59
- Baillie, Les, 57
- Joseph, Michael, 19, 56-59
- M-PESA, 19, 56-57
- One Communications Ltd (Onecom), 57-58
Samsung, 44
Shenyin & Wanguo Securities Co., Ltd., 73
Shyam Telelink Limited (Rainbow), 44
SIM Technology Group Ltd, 72
SINA Corporation, 75
Singapore Telecom, 8
Sistema
- Mobile TeleSystems, 13
SOFTBANK CORP, 25, 77-78
- SOFTBANK MOBILE, 25, 77-78
Sohu.com, Inc., 75
Sony Ericsson, 4, 24-25, 32, 44, 72
Standard & Poor’s, 70
Strategy Analytics, 55
Sun Microsystems, 62
Sybase, 58
Symbian Ltd/Symbian Foundation, 18, 24-25
- Symbian Foundation, 25
- Symbian OS, 24-25
T
t+ Medical Ltd, 26
Tata Group, 55
TDC, 45
Technology
- 2G
- – CDMA, 69-70, 73
- – EDGE, 13, 23, 46
- – GSM, 18-19, 48, 52-53, 59, 66, 69-70, 72-73
- 3G, 5, 13, 21, 23, 28, 30, 33, 43, 46, 48-49, 54, 58, 61, 63, 65-67, 71-75
- – CDMA2000, 73
- – CDMA2000 (EV-DO), 67
- – Evolved HSPA (HSPA+/I-HSPA), 67
- – HSDPA, 5, 13, 21, 23, 28, 33, 43, 46, 48-49, 54, 58, 61, 63, 65-67, 71-75
- – HSPA, 67
- – TD-SCDMA, 71-74
- – UMTS, 30, 33, 46, 66
- – WCDMA, 67
- 4G, 12, 33, 58-59, 70
- – 3GPP Long Term Evolution, 12, 70
- – Long Term Evolution (LTE), 12, 70
- – WiMAX, 33, 58-59
- Billing, 3, 13, 24, 63
- Bluetooth, 21
- DSL, 15, 28, 30, 37, 42
- DSN, 72
- Ethernet, 23
- Femtocell, 36, 70
- Fibre, 60
- Fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), 74
- FM, 18
- GPS, 3, 66
- IP, 23, 30, 73
- Linux, 24, 71
- M2M, 28, 34
- MMS, 47, 62, 76
- Mozilla, 21
- MP3, 36
- MVNO, 31, 77
- Personal computer, 5-6, 35, 42-44, 47, 63, 65, 70
- – Netbook, 35, 42-44, 63
- R&D, 25, 72
- RSS, 26
- SIM, 28, 35, 68, 72
- SMS, 34, 47-48, 53, 55, 58, 63, 76
- Spectrum, 5, 7, 49, 54, 66, 70
- – 450 MHz, 66
- – 700 MHz, 70
- – 2100 MHz, 66
- Symbian OS, 18, 24-25
- TDM, 23
- TV, 30-32, 36-37, 46, 66
- – IPTV, 30
- W-LAN, 21-22, 66, 70, 73
- Web 2.0, 43, 62
- Widgets, 25-26
- Windows, 24, 28, 42, 44, 66
- – Windows Mobile, 24, 28, 42, 44, 66
Tele2, 6
Telecom Italia, 26, 31
- HanseNet, 31
- Telecom Italia Mobile, 26
Telecom New Zealand, 65-68
- Gen-i, 68
Telefónica Group, 4, 9, 31, 37-38, 40
- Telefónica Europe (O2), 37-38, 40
- – UK, 38, 40
Telekomunikacja Polska SA (TPSA, see also France Télécom), 45
- PTK Centertel Sp. z o.o., 46
Telenor, 8, 54
- DiGi Telecommunications, 8
Telkom Kenya Ltd (Orange Kenya), 56, 60
Telkom South Africa, 4-5, 7-9, 36, 57-58, 60-62
- Vodacom Group (See also separate listing), 4-5, 7-9, 36, 57-58, 60-62
Tellabs, 23
Telmap, 4, 43
Telstra, 68
- TelstraClear, 68
Tencent Holdings Limited, 75
TesLA (Test Lab Automation) Alliance, 24
Thane Municipal Corporation, 56
Tiffany & Co., 77
Time Warner, 71
- CNN, 71
TOM Online, 75
TomTom, 4, 35
- Tele Atlas, 4
Toshiba, 24
Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), 4
- Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), 4
Turkcell, 32, 48
Twitter, Inc., 32, 43
Tyco International Ltd
- American Dynamics, 28
U
Unitech Ltd, 54
United States Cellular Corp. (US Cellular), 69-70
V
Vector Limited, 68
VeriSign, 76
Verizon Communications, 4-7, 9-10, 12, 21-22, 24, 33, 41, 69-71
- Lynch, Dick, 70
- Verizon Wireless, 4-7, 9-10, 12, 21-22, 33, 41, 69-71
- – McAdam, Lowell, 71
- Vodafone Omnitel, 7, 33, 69
Viacom, Inc.
- MTV Networks, 63
Vivendi, 5, 9, 27-28, 30, 45-46
- Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), 45-46
- SFR (Société Française de Radiotéléphone), 5, 27-28
- – Esser, Frank, 27
- – Neuf Cegetel, 27-28
- – - AOL France, 27
- – - Club Internet, 27
- – - Jet Multimedia, 28
- – Tele2 France, 27
Vodacom Group, 4-5, 7-9, 36, 57-58, 60-62
- Beelders, Wally, 60
- Congo, 60
- The GRID, 62
- Group, 4
- Joosub, Shameel, 62
- Lesotho, 60
- Mozambique, 60-61
- South Africa, 36, 58, 60-62
- Tanzania, 57, 60-62
- – Vodazone, 62
- Vodacom Business, 60
Vodafone Group
- Corporate, 8, 22, 26, 36, 38, 51, 57, 65
- – ASPire Group, 40, 70
- – CGP Investments (Cayman Islands), 53
- EMAPA, 5, 7-10, 13
- – Americas, 23
- – Asia, 5, 7-9, 50, 53, 72
- – Asia Pacific and Affiliates, 5, 7
- – Australia, 7, 9, 17-18, 36, 63-64
- – China (see also China Mobile), 9, 12, 25, 70-76
- – Egypt, 5, 7-9, 60
- – Fiji, 9, 65
- – India, 5, 7-9, 12, 16, 18, 52-56, 75-77
- – - Indus Towers, 52, 75
- – Japan, 6, 77
- – Middle East, 5, 7-9, 13, 50, 60
- – New Zealand, 9, 18, 36, 47, 65-68
- – Pacific, 5, 7-9, 63
- – Qatar (see also Vodafone and Qatar Foundation and Vodafone Qatar), 59-60
- – South Africa (see also Vodacom), 4-5, 7-9, 17, 36, 57-58, 60-62
- – Africa, 4-5, 7-9, 13, 17, 36, 50, 56-58, 60-62
- – Czech Republic, 9, 46, 59
- – Eastern Europe, 5, 7-9, 45
- – Ghana, 4, 9, 51, 60
- – Hungary, 9, 47
- – Kenya (see also Safaricom), 9, 19, 56-60
- – Mozambique, 61
- – Poland (see also Polkomtel), 9, 45-46
- – Romania, 8-9, 47-48
- – Turkey, 5, 7-9, 12, 36, 48-49
- – USA (see also Verizon), 4-7, 9-10, 12, 21-22, 33, 41, 69-71
- Ex-executives, 4-5
- – Bussey, Edward, 7
- – Damms, Mike, 7
- – Fenton, Lee, 7
- – Harris, Peter, 4
- – Katagi, Ted, 6
- – McAlister, Tony, 6
- – Risfelt, Jon, 3
- – Sarin, Arun, 5
- – Tow, Andy, 5
- Executives, 3-5, 10-16
- – Baker, Amanda, 5
- – Bourland, Eric, 4
- – Brace, Bob, 40
- – Brislen, Paul, 67
- – Butterworth, Charles, 31
- – Carriço, António, 35
- – Chignell, Tom, 65
- – Colao, Vittorio, 3-5, 10-16
- – Correia, Peter, 62
- – Cullen, Maurice, 31
- – Cunningham, Pat, 63
- – Devine, Tom, 44
- – Durbridge, Mike, 43
- – Foncillas, Javier, 18
- – Gray, Ian, 49
- – Halford, Andy, 16
- – Haule, Erasto, 62
- – Haynes, Ian, 43
- – Hughes, Nick, 19
- – Joussen, Friedrich, 30
- – Kelly, Peter, 40
- – Khan, Aslam, 65
- – Knook, Pieter, 3
- – Kos, Pavel, 46
- – Lane, Chris, 8
- – Laurence, Guy, 41
- – Lundal, Morten, 8
- – Maher, Grahame, 59-60
- – Mazloum, Ahmed, 63
- – Persse, Daragh, 4
- – Price, Tanny, 5, 40
- – Pusey, Steve, 15
- – Read, Nick, 40
- – Rövekamp, Frank, 24
- – Rushworth, Mark, 67
- – Shepherd, Ian, 17, 44
- – Stanners, Russell, 68
- – Sugiyama, June, 23
- – Venn, David, 51
- – Wheldon, David, 4
- – Wolak, Steve, 25
- Group, 3-11, 17-19, 23-25, 28, 33, 35, 41, 45, 47, 52, 56, 58-60, 65, 69-70, 75, 77
- – Betavine, 25
- – Headquarters, 4, 41
- – One Vodafone, 23
- – Vodafone Ventures, 26
- Marketing, 3-6, 16-17, 24, 30-32, 43-44, 46-47, 63-64, 67
- – Hamilton, Lewis, 17, 43
- – Internet Services, 3, 32, 35, 43, 46, 58, 65-66
- – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, 43
- – ZYB (Imity), 4, 7
- Partner Markets, 13, 65, 75
- – Caribbean (Digicel), 65
- – Russia and CIS (Mobile TeleSystems/MTS), 13
- – Sweden (Telenor), 8, 54
- Products
- – 3G Broadband, 43
- – AdPlus (Romania), 47
- – Anytime, 66
- – Arcor All-Inclusive, 22, 30
- – At Home, 30
- – BlackBerry, 21-22, 27-28, 30, 41, 43, 47
- – BloX, 34
- – Business Tariff Plans (Greece), 31
- – Call Me, 47
- – DSL-EasyBox (Germany), 30
- – Family, 33
- – Find&Go (UK), 43
- – FREE texts (Ireland), 44
- – In Business, 4
- – IOU (UK), 43
- – Knock Out (Malta), 34
- – Loaded, 16, 62
- – Log’n'Go (Romania), 47
- – M-PESA, 19, 56-57
- – Mobile Broadband, 30, 38, 42-44, 64-65, 67, 73
- – Mobile Connect, 30
- – Mobile Email, 7, 22
- – Mobile Internet (UK), 3, 24-25, 30, 34, 42-43, 46, 58, 61, 63, 71-72
- – MobileTV, 36, 46, 66
- – Money Transfer, 19, 56-57
- – Multiplu (Romania), 47
- – Music Player (Spain), 36
- – No Plans, 67
- – Pay As You Talk (UK), 43
- – Pocket Life (New Zealand), 65
- – Roaming Data Bundle (Australia), 42
- – Smart (Malta), 34
- – Surf-Sofort-Paket (Germany), 30
- – Surf & Email (Greece), 31
- – Terminals, 30, 42, 44
- – - Simply, 43
- – - USB Modem, 42
- – - USB Modem Stick, 30, 42
- – - VF527, 44
- – Text Unlimited (UK), 44
- – TopUP and Go (UK), 42
- – Vodafone Connect Pen (Portugal), 35
- – Vodafone Music, 18, 36
- – Vodafone Music Store, 18, 36
- – Vodafone Station (Italy), 13
- – Widget Manager, 25-26
- – Widget Zone, 25
- – Zorgeloos Internet (Netherlands), 34
- – Zuhause, 30
- – ZYB, 4, 7
- R&D, 25
- Strategy, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 55, 60
- – One Vodafone, 23
- – Total Communications, 5, 11, 40, 51, 60
- Vodafone Foundation, 17, 23-24, 59-60
- – Group, 23, 59
- Western Europe, 6-8, 11, 13, 27
- – Albania, 8-9
- – France (see also Vivendi/SFR), 5, 9, 27-28
- – Germany, 7-9, 18, 22-23, 29-31, 35-36
- – - Arcor, 8, 29-30
- – Greece, 8-9, 31
- – Ireland, 9, 23, 31-32
- – Italy, 6-9, 23, 31, 33, 36, 69, 77
- – Malta, 9, 34
- – Netherlands, 8-9, 34-35
- – Portugal, 8-9, 30, 35
- – Spain, 6-9, 18, 36-37
- – Sweden, 4
- – UK, 5, 7-9, 14, 17-19, 21-22, 33, 35-38, 40-44, 56
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., 59-60
- Maher, Grahame, 59-60
W
Wayfinder, 3-4, 13
Weglokoks, 45
Western Europe, 6-8, 11, 13, 27
- Channel Islands, 75
- France, 5, 27-28, 35, 45-46, 56
- – Autorite de Regulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), 27
- Germany, 7-9, 18, 22-23, 29-31, 35-36
- Greece, 8-9, 31
- Ireland, 9, 23, 31-32
- Italy, 6-9, 23, 31, 33, 36, 69, 77
- Malta, 9, 34
- Netherlands, 8-9, 34-35
- Portugal, 8-9, 30, 35
- – Competition Authority (AdC), 58
- Spain, 6-9, 18, 36-37
- Sweden, 4
- United Kingdom (UK), 5, 7-9, 14, 17-19, 21-22, 33, 35-38, 40-44, 56
- – Government, 40, 56
Western Union, 19, 56
Y
Yahoo!, 5, 55
- Flickr, 32
Yapp Mobile Pty Ltd, 3-4
Z
Zain Group (MTC/Celtel), 51, 56-57, 61
- OpCos (Zain/Celtel/MTC), 51, 56-57, 61
- – Ghana, 51
- – Kenya, 56-57
- – Tanzania, 57, 61
- – Zambia, 51
ZTE Corporation, 13, 73-74
Comments
Got something to say?
