Vodafonewatch, issue 2009.04 snapshot
4 May 2009
GROUP: Richard Daly and Hatem Dowidar — Chief Executives of Vodafone Egypt and the Group’s Partner Markets programme, respectively — are to swap roles. [p.3.]
Issue: 2009.04
Covering: 15 to 30 April 2009
Published: May 2009
Next issue: May 2009
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EXECUTIVE BRIEF
GROUP: Richard Daly and Hatem Dowidar — Chief Executives of Vodafone Egypt and the Group’s Partner Markets programme, respectively — are to swap roles. [p.3.]
Vodafone hung back from making an offer for Telecom Italia’s German arm HanseNet, while rivals Telefónica and United Internet are reported to have submitted initial bids. The French Polynesian government could be soft-pedalling a new mobile licence that appears to have attracted interest from the Group. [pp.3,6.]
Speculation arose over the prospect of an upcoming reorganisation of Vodafone’s mature European businesses, as part of ongoing cost-cutting efforts, and the potential write-down of troubled Vodafone Spain. [pp.4.]
Vodafone was reported to have considered exiting its sponsorship deal with McLaren-Mercedes in light of the Formula One team’s latest indiscretion. [p.5.]
Vodafone Spain became the first operating company to debut HTC’s Magic handset — Vodafone’s first Android-based device — followed closely by its sister units in Germany and the UK. Vodafone also furthered smartphone-related moves by setting a date for its launch of Nokia’s N97; was again mooted as the likely recipient of a distribution deal for the Palm Pre; and saw French affiliate SFR release Apple’s iPhone 3G. In the US, Verizon Wireless (VZW) was linked to handset partnerships with both Apple and Microsoft. The former’s exclusive iPhone arrangement with AT&T could be circumnavigated through the launch of ‘iPhone-like‘ devices, reports claimed. [pp.7,9,13,15,25.]
Elsewhere, the Group secured a number of accolades at the second annual Corporate Responsibility Reporting Awards; was among mobile operators to launch a new, joint legal challenge against the European Union’s mobile roaming caps; and announced a partnership with Indian value-added service provider OnMobile Global, which could see the firm’s ring back tone proposition, and other offerings, extended to several new markets. Vodafone’s Betavine community was also touted as evidence of a more open approach to application development from the operator. [pp.6,8,9.]
VZW’s first quarter results were boosted by its recent Alltel takeover, and did not reveal significant weaknesses in its strategic focus on high-value customers, despite reports of mass migration towards inexpensive prepaid packages. New names emerged as potential acquirers of leftover assets from the Alltel deal, including telecoms entrepreneur Ernest Dobson. Meanwhile, VZW continued efforts to convince developers to create products and services for its upcoming 4G offering. [pp.10,11,13,14.]
WESTERN EUROPE: Vodafone Germany began trialling the use of so-called ‘digital dividend’ frequencies to deliver rural broadband connectivity via field tests in the southern state of Baden-Württemberg. Vodafone Ireland also looked to improve its ability to deliver data services to regional and rural areas through a deal with metropolitan area network operator E-net. [pp.16,19.]
Vodafone Greece was ordered to pay compensation to a journalist, as repercussions from the country’s phone-tapping scandal continued. [p.17.]
Vodafone Netherlands gained potentially-significant new business through a wholesale agreement with fast-growing MVNO Lycamobile, and furthered cost-cutting efforts by initiating measures to boost online customer acquisition and selling its directory assistance offering. [pp.20,22,23.]
Vodafone Spain rolled out flat-rate, DRM-free music services alongside RealNetworks. However, the Spanish unit, and Vodafone Ireland, became subject to new termination rate restrictions. [pp.18,23,24.]
A new proposal emerged in the ongoing dispute over O2 and Vodafone’s UK spectrum, through which the two operators could potentially be prevented from acquiring much-coveted airwaves freed up by the country’s digital TV switchover. [p.24,25.]
CENTRAL EUROPE: Vodafone Czech Republic gave further evidence of a promotional boost to its mobile internet traffic, while Polkomtel was again linked with a move for a stake in Polish fixed-line player Netia, as part of apparent plans to develop a full-service offering. In Romania, Vodafone renewed calls for the telecoms regulator to enforce unbundling of incumbent Romtelcom’s local loop to boost broadband availability. [pp.26-28.]
AFRICA: Vodafone Ghana advanced reorganisational efforts by announcing the rebranding of Ghana Telecom and its mobile subsidiary Onetouch, but could still face a ‘government review’ of its 2008 takeover, according to fresh comments from the country’s President. In Kenya, uptake of Safaricom’s M-PESA remittance service continued apace, but the stresses of increased competition showed up in the operator’s launch of a cash giveaway promotion. [pp.29,31,32.]
In South Africa, the Communications Workers Union made an unsuccessful, last-ditch attempt to thwart Vodafone’s purchase of an additional 15% stake in Vodacom Group, and Vodacom’s associated flotation. The South African firm received a boost in Mozambique, where authorities reportedly cancelled plans to licence a new entrant. [pp.33-35.]
ASIA-PACIFIC: China Mobile announced a historic investment in Taiwanese operator Far EasTone, in a move seen as primarily politically-driven, but which could also provide the increasingly-challenged operator with strategic advantage. Competitive and economic pressures made themselves plain in China Mobile’s latest results, including its weakest first quarter profit growth for five years, but the operator stepped up its response through numerous handset, network, and software-related developments ahead of its upcoming 3G launch. [pp.36,37,39-42.]
Vodafone Essar’s on-off relationship with the Indian authorities continued with the receipt of a sizeable loan from a state bank, and ongoing clampdowns on spectrum allocation. The operator also became India’s fastest growing GSM player in terms of subscribers, although margin-related worries abound. Bharti Airtel met expectations with its fourth quarter figures, but also faces increased regulatory scrutiny over revenue reporting. [pp.43-46,48.]
SoftBank Mobile’s market-leading subscriber growth spurt continued into a 23rd consecutive month. [p.49.]
MIDDLE EAST: Vodafone Qatar claimed the response to its initial public offering has been positive, despite concerns over its pricing, and stuck to its line that challenges associated with dealing with rival Qatar Telecom and the Gulf state’s authorities have been responsible for its rollout delays. [pp.51,52.]
EXTRACT
INDIA –VODAFONE ESSAR
Vodafone Essar handed INR 100bn loan
Vodafone Essar secured financing of INR 100bn (£1.36bn/EUR1.52bn) from the government-controlled State Bank of India (SBI), in a move apparently intended to help the operator bid for 3G licences (when the country finally launches its auction) and expand its infrastructure.
However, it was also suggested that up to INR 60bn could be allocated to network expansion and refinancing existing debt.
” We will use the loan for various business purposes. ”
– Vodafone Essar spokesperson.
Vodafone Essar’s plan to secure the funds was first revealed in February 2009 (Vodafonewatch, 2009.01), with the operator seen as keen to arrange a bridging loan to enable its participation in the 3G auction (although the sell-off has since seen further delays).
The loan will be spread over five years, and carries an interest rate of 13.25% for the first two years, according to reports in Indian press, after which it will be adjusted in line with the average prime lending rate of four local banks.
While it had been envisaged that the financing would be raised from a consortium of banks, the SBI said it aimed to retain exposure of INR 30bn, while down-selling INR 70bn to other financial institutions. Vodafone Essar minority shareholder Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) could take responsibility for INR 50bn of the loan.
” Whether SBI is down-selling part of the loan to other banks, we have nothing to do with it [the syndication of the loan]. ”
– Vodafone Essar.
As collateral for the loan, the operator is said to have pledged 51% controlling stakes in subsidiaries accounting for 85% of its revenue and 92% of its customer base, as well as all licences.
If the new facility is fully drawn, the company’s overall debt burden could top INR 20bn.
[Further reference: SBI to lend Vodafone Rs 10,000 cr -- Business Standard, 17 April 2009; Vodafone Essar raises Rs 10,000cr loan, may part-use it for 3G -- PTI, 17 April 2009; Vodafone Essar raises RS 10,000 CR -- Business Line, 18 April 2009.]
Government clamps down on spectrum handouts…
India’s government appeared set to block the allocation of additional spectrum to some of the country’s mobile operators, including Vodafone Essar and Bharti Airtel, following April 2009′s ruling by the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) that GSM providers are entitled to only 6.2 MHz-per-circle (Vodafonewatch, 2009.03).
The move could see India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) having to reverse its previous clearance of applications for additional resources from both Airtel (in Orissa) and Vodafone Essar (in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal). The DoT has now been ordered to seek legal opinion before handing over new chunks of spectrum, local media claimed.
As reported previously, the TDSAT’s ruling may also now see Airtel and Vodafone Essar being penalised by the government, as they are said to have already surpassed the 6.2 MHz limit in some of the telecoms ‘circles’ in which they operate. The government is reported to be planning to allocate spectrum via auctions, rather than providing operators with resources based on subscriber-linked criteria.
…and seeks to restrict post-licence profit-taking
Separately, India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs was said to have approved plans to limit telecoms operators’ ability to sell equity for three years after the receipt of licences.
The move will reportedly apply to nine companies, including Vodafone Essar, that gained concessions to offer telecoms services nationwide in early-2008. A series of divestments in the wake of the licence awards prompted widespread criticism of the government, and an investigation into their pricing by India’s Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
However, reports indicate the restrictions may not be extended to issues of fresh share capital — therefore allowing Vodafone Essar to use India’s new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations (Vodafonewatch, 2009.02) to bring in new funds, should it so wish. It is also not yet clear if the government will issue an outright ban, or adopt proposals from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which would allow firms to sell equity if they: fulfil their rollout obligations; gain permission from the government; and allocate 50% of profits from the sale to expansion of their networks.
A final decision is expected from India’s Ministry of Finance in the coming weeks.
[Further reference: DoT to consider lock-in period for promoters -- Mint, 6 April 2009; Lock-in for telecom stake gets clearance -- Economic Times, 8 April 2009; Telcos may face share pledge ban -- Economic Times, 18 April 2009; DoT holds back more spectrum to GSM players, seeks legal view -- PTI, 20 April 2009; Seek legal view before allocation more spectrum to existing GSM -- Business Line, 21 April 2009.]
Vodafone Essar leads GSM user growth…
Vodafone Essar added more GSM users than any of its rivals during March 2009 — marking both the operator and the GSM sector’s best ever month for subscriber expansion — but Vodafone was nevertheless trumped by slightly-larger rival Reliance Communications (RCom, which also has CDMA operations) for overall customer growth.
Figures from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents India’s GSM operators, showed Vodafone gaining a record 2.84 million users during the month, taking its customer base to just under 69 million.
Bharti Airtel, India’s largest mobile operator and a fellow-GSM player, added 2.81 million customers, to reach over 94 million. However, RCom, the predominantly CDMA operator, and second-largest overall, stretched its lead over number-three Vodafone Essar. It added 0.4 million customers to its recently launched GSM network, and 3.2 million users overall, according to data from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). RCom’s customer base now stands at 73 million.
…but analysts fret over margin implications
The month was the third out of four in which India’s GSM operators have broken subscriber growth records, suggesting little let-up in their customer acquisition quest. However, market watchers continue to warn of the challenges operators face as they are increasingly forced to mine the ‘long tail’ of new users.
Media commentators, for example, hinted at worsening service quality problems in major Indian cities, and an increasing focus by operators on churning customers from rivals — a trend likely to intensify with the introduction of mobile number portability later in 2009. Teledensity is said to be close to 75% in urban India; but mobile penetration in rural areas is variously estimated at 10%-14%.
Additionally, analysts saw Vodafone Essar’s addition of more subscribers than Airtel (a rarity) as significant, and evident of apparent challenges facing the market leader, including falls in average revenue per user (ARPU) from INR 357 (£4.89/EUR5.44) in calendar Q1 2008, to INR 324 in Q4, and INR 305 in Q1 2009 (see separate report).
Overall, India’s GSM operators added 10.8 million users during the month — up from 9.6 million in January and 9.2 million in February.
” We believe the subscriber growth is unlikely to lead to strong revenue growth, as we expect revenue-per-minute to decline for all [operators]. ”
– UBS.
[Further reference: Bharti, Vodafone have most congested networks; TRAI -- India Business Insight, 31 March 2009; Delhi mobile subscribers face problem of plenty -- Times of India, 7 April 2009; India adds 1.08 cr GSM subscribers in Mar 2009 -- Nationwide International News, 13 April 2009; Vodafone adds more mobile subscribers than Bharti Airtel in March -- WMRC, 14 April 2009; New GSM operators add record 108 million users in March -- Business Line, 14 April 2009; India telecom shares lag behind their strong subscriber growth -- MarketWatch, 15 April 2009; Telcos add record 16 m users in March -- Economic Times, 22 April 2009.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Group
3 People
3 Egypt and Partner Markets execs in job swap
3 M&A
3 Vodafone still mulling HanseNet offer — reports
4 Financial
4 European reorganisation mooted…
4 …as Spanish unit comes under more scrutiny
5 Marketing
5 Vodafone ponders future with McLaren — report
6 M&A
6 Products and services
6 Vodafone extends RBT service to new markets
7 Seidenberg reiterates desire for full VZW ownership
7 Vodafone launches Magic in Germany, Spain and UK
8 Strategy
8 Global subscriber growth falls
8 Regulatory
8 Mobile operators challenge roaming rate cuts
8 Society
8 Vodafone wins CSR awards
9 Suppliers
9 Hybrid data approaches highlighted
9 Technology
9 Betavine signals move towards open-source
10 Hybrid data approaches highlighted
10 USA — Verizon Wireless
10 Alltel takeover boosts VZW earnings
11 VZ touts netbooks, but no news on launch date
11 VZW releases LTE specs; continues developer courtship
13 VZW moving closer to Apple?
13 VZW shuns low-cost unlimited packages
14 Additional Alltel bidders named
15 Western Europe
15 France
15 Battle heats up for iPhone 3G subscribers
15 France highlights
16 Germany
16 Vodafone trials digital dividend for rural broadband
17 Vodafone launches new dashboard software, wider rollout mooted
17 Ireland
17 Greece
17 Vodafone ordered to pay compensation over wiretaps
18 Italy
18 Ireland
18 Operators agree to halve termination rates
19 Vodafone launches Samsung netbook
19 Vodafone boosts regional capacity via E-net deal
19 Malta
20 Netherlands
20 Vodafone and Lycamobile sign MVNO agreement
22 Vodafone launches MobileWidgetCamp contest
22 Vodafone offloads directory service
23 Portugal
23 Vodafone seeks to shift new subscribers online
23 Spain
23 CMT cuts termination rates
24 Vodafone partners with Real for DRM-free downloads
24 United Kingdom
24 Government changes spectrum sharing tack — reports
25 Vodafone gains certification for 3G services
25 UK highlights
26 Central Europe
26 Hungary
26 Czech Republic
26 Vodafone touts mobile internet promo
27 Poland — Polkomtel
27 Netia acquisition rumours persist
27 Romania
27 Vodafone reiterates calls for LLU regulation
28 Romania highlights
29 Africa
29 Ghana
29 Ghana Telecom renamed Vodafone Ghana
31 Kenya — Safaricom
31 Review of Ghana Telecom takeover ‘still on’
31 Safaricom, Zain step up retention drives
32 M-PESA customer base nears six million…
32 …but further competition mooted
33 Mozambique — Vodacom
33 Regulator in U-turn over third GSM licence — reports
33 South Africa — Vodacom
34 Vodacom reorganisation hits eleventh hour snags
34 IPO delayed by two weeks
35 VAS partner sues over document “omission”
36 Asia-Pacific
36 Australia
36 China Mobile
36 China Mobile hit by maturing market, rivalry, slowdown
37 China Mobile buys ‘landmark’ stake in Far EasTone
40 China Mobile aims to rally support for OMS
40 Fiji
41 China Mobile extends 3G device line-up
42 India –Vodafone Essar
43 Vodafone Essar handed INR 100bn loan
44 Vodafone aims to cash in on IPL-fever
44 Government clamps down on spectrum handouts…
44 …and seeks to restrict post-licence profit-taking
45 Vodafone Essar leads GSM user growth…
45 …but analysts fret over margin implications
46 India — Bharti Airtel
46 Airtel boosts profit by 21%
46 IBM lands more outsourcing work…
46 …as Airtel plans new managed services contracts — report
48 MP alleges “connivance” over revenue reporting
49 Japan — SoftBank Mobile
49 SoftBank’s subscriber growth streak continues
50 New Zealand
50 New Zealand highlights
51 Middle East
51 Qatar
51 Vodafone Qatar “comfortable” over IPO prospects
52 Claim meets counter-claim over rollout delays
54 Index
INDEX
1
1850 BV, 22
A
Acer, 41
Aditya Birla Group
- Idea Cellular, 42-44, 46, 48
- – Indus Towers, 42-43, 46
Africa, 6, 8, 29, 31, 33-35, 44-45
- Congo, 33
- East Africa, 31
- Egypt, 3, 33, 52
- Ghana, 29, 31, 33
- – Government, 31
- – National Democratic Congress (NDC), 31
- Kenya, 31-33
- – Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), 32
- Lesotho, 33
- Mozambique, 33
- Nigeria, 34
- South Africa, 33-35, 44-45
- – Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), 33
- – Department of Communications (DOC), 35
- Tanzania, 9-10, 33
AIRCOM International, 10
Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), 40-41
- Telecom Fiji, 40
- Vodafone Fiji, 40-41
Amazon.com, Inc.
- Amazon.com, 9
Ambient Corp., 14
Americas, 7-8, 10-11, 13-14, 18, 20, 34, 50
- Canada, 20
- Caribbean, 40
- Latin America, 8
- North America, 8
- South America, 8
- United States of America (USA), 7, 10-11, 13-14, 18, 20, 34, 50
Analysys International, 42
Apollo Management L.P., 14
Apple, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 40, 49
- iPhone, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 40, 49
Asia-Pacific, 6, 42, 45-46
- Australia, 20, 36
- – Competition & Consumer Commission, 36
- China, 5, 8, 36-37, 39-42
- – Government, 37, 40-41
- – Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), 39-40
- – Province/Municipality/Region, 37, 39, 41-42
- – - Beijing, 39, 41
- – - Gansu, 41
- – - Guangdong, 37
- – - Guangxi, 41
- – - Guizhou, 41
- – - Henan, 41
- – - Inner Mongolia, 41
- – - Jiangxi, 41
- – - Liaoning, 41
- – - Shanghai, 39, 41
- – - Tibet, 41-42
- – - Zhejiang, 41
- Fiji, 40-41
- French Polynesia, 6
- – Office des Postes et des Télécommunications (Office of Posts and Telecom), 6
- – - Tikiphone SA, 6
- Hong Kong, 39
- India, 6, 42-46, 48-49
- – Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), 45
- – Central Vigilance Commission (CVC, India), 44, 48
- – Department of Telecommunications (DoT), 35, 44, 48-49
- – Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), 43
- – Government, 6, 43-44, 48-49
- – Income Tax Department, 10, 13, 50
- – Licence Circles, 44
- – - Andhra Pradesh, 14
- – - Delhi, 44-45
- – - Karnataka, 48
- – - Madhya Pradesh, 48
- – - Mumbai, 44
- – - Orissa, 44
- – - Tamil Nadu, 44
- – Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT, India), 44
- – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), 44-45, 48
- Japan, 49-50
- New Zealand, 36, 40, 50
- – Commerce Commission, 50
- – Telecommunications Industry Group, 50
- Pakistan, 37
- Sri Lanka, 46, 48
- Taiwan, 37, 39
AsiaInfo Holdings, 41-42
ASPire Group, 37
Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators (Alto, Ireland), 18
AT&T, 5, 10-11, 13-14, 34, 39
- Dobson Communications, 14
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), 36
B
Beijing Huaqi Information Digital Technology Co., Ltd, 41
- Aigo, 41
BenQ Corporation, 41
Bharti Group, 42-46, 48-49
- Bharti Airtel, 42-46, 48-49
- – Bharti Infratel, 46
- – Indus Towers, 42, 46
- Bharti Enterprises, 46
- Bharti Infotel, 46
- Mittal, Sunil Bharti, 46
Black + White Services Ltd, 7
Blackstone Group, 14
BMI-TechKnowledge Group, 33
Bouygues Group, 15
BPL Communications Ltd
- BPL Mobile Communications Ltd, 27
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 5, 40
- BBC Worldwide, 40
British Midland Airways, 33, 37
British Standards Institute (BSI), 25
BSkyB, 4
BT Group, 4
C
Cablevision, 14
Camiant, Inc., 10
Carlyle Group, 14, 50
- WILLCOM, Inc., 50
Carrefour Group, 4
Central/Eastern Europe, 6, 26
- Czech Republic, 26, 51
- Hungary, 9-10, 26, 28
- – National Communications Authority (NHH), 26
- Poland, 16, 27-28
- Romania, 27-28
- Turkey, 16
China Center for Information Industry Development
- CCID Consulting, 37
China Great Wall Computer Shenzhen Co. Ltd, 41
China International Capital Corporation Ltd (CICC), 39
China Mobile, 5, 36-37, 39-42
- C.M. Group Fujian Co. Ltd, 41
- C.M. Group Guangdong Co. Ltd, 37
- C.M. Group Hainan Co. Ltd, 41
- C.M. Group Henan Co. Ltd, 41
- C.M. Group Jiangxi Co. Ltd, 41
- EZYrecharge, 39
- Mobile Market, 8, 14, 27, 29, 31, 36, 40
- Open Mobile System (OMS), 40-41
- Ophone, 40-42
- Research Institute, 39-40
- Union Mobile Pay (UMPay, see also China UnionPay), 39
- Wallet Management, 39
- Wang Jianzhou, 39
- Yu Chuan, 40
- Zong (Paktel/CMPak), 37
China Telecom, 37
China UnionPay, 39
- Union Mobile Pay (UMPay, see also China Mobile), 39
China United Telecommunications (China Unicom), 39
Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), 34-35
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), 8
CorporateRegister.com Ltd, 8
Cox Communications, Inc., 14
CVC Capital Partners Group SICAV-FIS S.A., 5, 48
- – Formula One Management, 5
- Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd, 4
D
Dark Fibre Africa, 35
Debitel, 15
Dell, 41-42
Deutsche Telekom, 8, 14, 20, 25-27
- Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), 27
- T-Mobile International, 8, 14, 20, 25-26
- – Hungary, 29
- – Netherlands, 20
- – UK, 25
- – USA, 14
Dialog Telekom, 48
Digicel, 6, 40
- Fiji, 40
- Pacific, 6
E
East African Marine System (TEAMS), 5
eBay
- Skype, 25
EFG-Hermes Holding Company (Egyptian Financial Group), 51
eircom, 18
- Meteor, 18
EMOBILE Ltd, 49-50
Ericsson, 17, 23, 46
Essar Group, 6, 31-32, 42-46, 48
- – Essar Telecom Kenya (ETK. Econet Wireless Kenya), 31-32
- Essar Telecom, 31-32
- Vodafone Essar (See also Vodafone), 6, 42-46, 48
European Telecommunication Holding AG (ETH), 16
- Millenicom, 16
European Union, 8, 18, 27
- European Commission, 18
- European Court of Justice (ECJ), 8
- European Parliament, 8
F
Far Eastern Group
- Far Eastone Telecommunications Co., Ltd., 37, 39
Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA), 5
First Direct, 37
Formula One, 5
- Constructors’ Championship, 5
Founder Group
- Founder Technology Group Corp., 41
France Télécom, 8, 15, 20, 23, 25, 27-28, 31-32
- Orange, 8, 15, 20, 23, 25, 27-28, 31-32
- – France, 15
- – Poland (see also Telekomunikacja Polska), 27
- – Spain, 23
- – Telkom Kenya (see also separate entry), 31-32
- – UK, 25
Fujitsu, 41
G
Ghana Telecom, 29, 31
- Onetouch, 29
Globacom Ltd, 29
Global Insight, 16, 20
Goldman Sachs, 36, 39
Google, 7, 25, 40-41
- Android, 7, 40-41
- Google Mail (Gmail), 7, 25
- Google Maps, 7
- Google Search, 7
- Google Talk, 7
- Picasa, 7
H
Haier, 41
Handicapzéro, 15
Hasee Computer Co., Ltd, 41
Hellenic Telecoms (OTE)
- COSMOTE, 28
Hewlett-Packard, 41
High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC), 7
Hutchison Whampoa
- 3 Group, 18
- – 3 Ireland, 18
- Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd, 42
I
IBM, 46
IDFC, 43
Indian Premier League (IPL), 44-45
Indus Towers, 42-43, 46
Informa, 8-9, 17, 27
- Ovum, 9, 17, 27
Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (IDFC, India), 43
Intec, 28
Intel, 19
InterAcct Solutions Group, 39
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
- Initiative Media, 20
Itron, Inc., 14
J
Japan Telecom, 50
Johannesburg Stock Exchange, 33-34
K
KDDI, 49-50
KGHM, 27
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, 14
Konka Group Co., Ltd, 41
KPN, 4, 16
- E-Plus, 16
L
Leap Wireless International, Inc., 14
Lebara Group
- Lebara Mobile, 20
Lenovo, 41
LG Electronics, 28, 41
LiMo Foundation, 40
Lycamobile Ltd, 20
M
Macquarie Bank, 37
Mashreqbank PSC
- Mashreq Capital, 51
McDonald’s Corporation, 39
McLaren Group, 5
- Dennis, Ron, 5
MetroPCS Communications, Inc., 14
Microsoft, 13, 19, 25
- Windows Mobile, 40
Middle East, 3, 8, 33, 51-52
- Egypt, 3, 33, 52
- Qatar, 51-52
- – Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, 51
- – Supreme Council for Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR), 52
Millicom International Cellular
- Tigo Ghana, 29
Ministry of Corporate Affairs, 44
MobileMonday Oy, 22
Mobitelea Ventures, 31
MOL, 26
Monster Worldwide, Inc., 16
Morgan Stanley, 7, 51
Motorola, 4
MSI, 41
MTN, 29, 33, 35
- Ghana (Scancom), 29, 33
- South Africa, 33, 35
N
Neotel (Pty) Ltd (SNO Telecommunications, see also Reliance), 35
Netia SA, 27
News Corp.
- BSkyB (see also seperate listing), 4
- YouTube, 7
NextWave Wireless, Inc.
- Inquam Broadband
- – Zapp Mobile, 28
Nokia, 9, 22, 25, 28, 32, 37, 40
Nokia Siemens Networks, 41, 46
NOVATOR, 27
NTT
- DoCoMo, 39, 49-50
Numbersecure (Pty) Limited, 35
Numéricable, 15
NZ Communications, 50
O
Obopay, Inc., 32
OnMobile Global Ltd, 6
Open Handset Alliance (OHA), 7, 40-41
- Android, 7, 40-41
Opera Software, 9, 22
OPTA, 20
P
Palm, 9
PKN Orlen, 27
Polkomtel, 27-28
- Chill Bill, 28
- Plus GSM, 27
Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE)
- Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE), 27
Portugal Telecom, 23, 33
- TMN, 23
Providence Equity Partners, 14
PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL), 19
PTC, 27
Q
Qatar Foundation Consortium, 51
Qatar Telecom (Qtel), 51-52
R
RealNetworks, 24
Red Cross, 23
Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group
- Reliance Communications (RCom), 4, 39-40, 43-45, 48, 50
Research In Motion, 9-10, 13, 15, 22, 25
- BlackBerry, 9-10, 13, 15, 22, 25
- – 9000 Storm (Vodafone-VZW), 9, 13, 22
S
Safaricom, 31-32
- Joseph, Michael, 31
- Lipua Mamilioni, 31
- M-PESA, 31-32
- Vaughan, Pauline, 32
Samsung, 19, 23, 28, 41
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., 4, 7
Seznam.cz, 26
Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co., Ltd, 39
Singapore Telecom, 39
Slice, 7
SOFTBANK CORP, 49-50
- SOFTBANK MOBILE, 49, 48-49, 48-50
- – White Plan, 49
Sony, 23-24
Sony Ericsson, 23
Sprint Nextel, 13-14
- Boost Mobile, 13-14
Starbucks Corp., 39
State Bank of India, 43
Symbian Ltd/Symbian Foundation, 25, 40
- Symbian OS, 40
T
Tata Group
- Tata Communications
- – Neotel (see also separate listing), 35
TCL Communication, 41
Technology
- 2G, 13-14, 25, 29, 33, 42, 44-46, 50
- – CDMA, 13-14, 45, 50
- – GPRS, 45
- – GSM, 29, 33, 42, 44-46
- – PHS, 50
- 3G, 9, 13, 15, 24-25, 36-37, 41-43, 49-50
- – CDMA2000 (EV-DO), 14
- – Evolved HSPA (HSPA+/I-HSPA), 16, 19, 50
- – HSDPA, 9, 13, 15, 24-25, 28, 36-37, 41-43, 49-50
- – HSPA, 16, 19, 50
- – TD-SCDMA, 41-42
- – UMTS, 50
- 4G, 11, 13
- – 3GPP Long Term Evolution, 10-11
- – Long Term Evolution (LTE), 10-11
- – WiMAX, 51
- Billing, 10, 15, 17, 28, 41
- BSS, 28
- CRM, 41
- DRM, 24
- Fibre, 15, 19, 24, 31, 35
- FM, 28
- IM, 7
- IP, 9, 15, 24, 49
- IVR, 28
- Linux, 9, 40
- MVNO, 4, 20, 23
- NFC, 39
- Open-source, 9
- OSS, 28, 40-41
- Personal computer, 11, 13, 17, 19-20, 23, 41-42
- – Netbook, 11, 13, 19, 41-42
- RAN, 14
- RBT, 6
- SIM, 23, 39
- SMS, 7, 25, 28, 31, 36, 41, 44-45, 52
- Spectrum, 10-11, 16, 24-25, 44
- – 700 MHz, 11
- – 900 MHz, 25
- Symbian OS, 25, 40
- TV, 11, 15-16, 24
- – DVB-C, 16
- – DVB-T, 16
- ULL, 27
- VoIP, 13, 25, 51
- W-LAN, 13, 17, 28
- Widgets, 9, 22
- Windows, 13, 19, 25, 40
- – Windows Mobile, 40
Telecom Italia, 3, 18, 37
- HanseNet, 3
- Telecom Italia Mobile, 18, 37
Telecom New Zealand, 36, 50
- AAPT, 36
Telecommunication de Mozambique (TDM Group)
- Mozambique Cellular (mCel), 33
Telefónica Group, 3-5, 7-9, 18, 23-25
- Telefónica España, 3-4, 7, 23-24
- Telefónica Europe (O2), 3-4, 8-9, 18, 24-25
- – Czech Republic, 25
- – Germany, 3-4, 7, 17, 24
- – Ireland, 17-18
- – UK, 3-5, 7-8, 24-25
- Telefónica Moviles, 4, 23-24
Telekom Malaysia
- TM International Sdn Bhd
- – Dialog Telekom, 48
Telekomunikacja Polska SA (TPSA, see also France Télécom), 27
- PTK Centertel Sp. z o.o., 27
Telenor ASA, 26, 31
- Pannon GSM, 26
TeliaSonera
- Yoigo (Xfera), 4, 23
Telkom Kenya Ltd (Orange Kenya), 31-33
Telkom South Africa, 5, 9-10, 33-34, 33-35, 45
- Vodacom Group (See also separate listing), 5, 9-10, 33-35, 45
Terra Firma Capital Partners (TFCP), 24
- EMI Group Ltd, 24
Time Warner, 15
Toyota, 5
Tsinghua Holdings Co. Ltd, 41
U
UBS, 45
United States Cellular Corp. (US Cellular), 14
V
Verizon Communications, 4-5, 7, 10-11, 13-14, 18, 34
- Seidenberg, Ivan, 7, 11, 13
- Strigl, Dennis, 11
- Verizon Wireless, 5, 7, 10-11, 13-14, 18, 34
- – ALLTEL Corporation, 10-11, 14
- – Lewis, Anthony A., 11
- – LTE Innovation Centre, 11
- – Open Development Initiative (ODI), 11
- – TALKS, 13-14
- Vodafone Omnitel, 7, 11, 18-19
Virgin Group
- Virgin Mobile
- – USA, 14
Vivendi, 5, 7, 15, 17, 24, 27
- Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), 27
- SFR (Société Française de Radiotéléphone), 7, 15, 17
- – Neuf Cegetel, 15
- – - AOL France, 15
- – - Club Internet, 15
- – Tele2 France, 15
- Universal Music Group, 24
Vodacom Group, 5, 9-10, 33-35, 45
- Congo, 33
- Field, Dot, 35
- Group, 34
- Lesotho, 33
- Mozambique, 33
- South Africa, 33-35, 45
- Tanzania, 9-10, 33
Vodafone Group
- Africa & Central Europe, 6, 26
- – Africa, 6, 8, 29, 31, 33-35, 44-45
- – Congo, 33
- – Czech Republic, 25-26, 51
- – Ghana, 29, 31, 33
- – Hungary, 9-10, 26
- – Kenya (see also Safaricom), 31-32, 31-33
- – Mozambique, 33
- – Poland (see also Polkomtel), 16, 26-28
- – Romania, 27-28
- – South Africa (see also Vodacom), 5, 9-10, 33-35, 44-45
- – Turkey, 16
- – Asia, 6, 42, 45
- – Australia, 20, 36
- – China (see also China Mobile), 5, 8, 36-37, 39-42
- – Egypt, 3, 33, 52
- – Fiji, 40-41
- – India, 5-6, 42-43, 42-43, 42-43, 42-44, 43-44, 43-45, 44-46, 48-49
- – - Indus Towers, 42-43, 46
- – - Ortus Infratel and Holdings, 43
- – Japan, 49-50
- – Middle East, 8, 51
- – Middle East and Africa, 8
- – New Zealand, 36
- – Pacific, 6
- – Qatar (see also Vodafone and Qatar Foundation and Vodafone Qatar), 51-52, 51-52
- Executives, 8-9
- – Abad, Miguel, 24
- – Bhomer, Gary, 20
- – Bol, Willem-Albert, 20
- – Brislen, Paul, 50
- – Burgess, Chris, 8
- – Burgos, Juan Emilio, 24
- – Butterworth, Charles, 19
- – Campbell, Justine, 4
- – Colao, Vittorio, 8-9
- – Daly, Richard, 3
- – Dowidar, Hatem, 3
- – Hofker, Bart, 23
- – Kremling, Hartmut, 16
- – Leenheers, Patrick, 22
- – Maher, Grahame, 51-52
- – McCoy, Jonathan, 4
- – Mundy, Jeni, 25
- – Nagpal, Harit, 44
- – Patel, Vik, 4
- – Prasad, Shailendra, 40
- – Rao, Bobby, 6
- – Stanners, Russell, 50
- – Venn, David, 29
- Group, 3-5, 7-8, 11, 17-18, 24, 27, 31, 33-34, 37, 40-43, 46, 50, 51
- – Americas (see also Verizon Wireless), 7, 10-11, 13-14
- – ASPire Group, 37
- Marketing, 3-6, 18, 20, 36, 44, 50
- – Betavine, 9
- – Internet Services, 6, 13, 22, 26, 40
- – MobileWidgetCamp, 22
- – Vodafone Mobile Clicks, 22
- Partner Markets, 3, 6, 40, 46
- – Caribbean (Digicel), 6, 40
- – Japan (SoftBank), 49-50
- – Sri Lanka (Dialog), 48
- – Sweden (Telenor), 31
- Products and services, 6, 9, 11, 19, 23
- – 3G Broadband, 25
- – 1800 (Netherlands), 22
- – Agenda Vodafone, 25
- – Always Best Connected, 17
- – Anytime, 10
- – CallYa, 16
- – Christmas Card, 18
- – Family, 26, 41
- – Flatrate (Germany), 24
- – Free Weekends (UK/Ireland), 25
- – In Business, 9, 35
- – internetdomobilu.cz, 26
- – M-PESA, 31-32
- – Max Value (Malta), 19
- – Mobile Broadband, 9, 16-17, 19, 23, 25, 50
- – Mobile Email, 7
- – Mobile Internet (UK), 7, 10, 16, 20, 26, 28
- – Music Player (Spain), 28
- – Star of the Match, 44-45
- – SuperFlat (Germany), 7
- – - BlackBerry, 9, 15, 22, 25
- – - Storm (Research In Motion), 9, 13, 22
- – - USB Modem Stick, 48
- – Text Unlimited (UK), 25
- – Ungaria, 28
- – Vodafone Connect Pen (Portugal), 23
- – Vodafone Freedom Packs, 25
- – web phone, 13
- – Zero Click Connect, 17
- R&D, 22, 37
- Strategy, 4, 22
- – Total Communications, 33
- Vodafone Foundation, 51
- – Group, 51
- Western Europe, 15
- – France (see also Vivendi/SFR), 7, 15, 17
- – Germany, 3-4, 7, 16-17, 20, 22, 24
- – - Arcor, 16
- – Greece, 17
- – Ireland, 8, 17-19
- – Italy, 3-4, 7, 11, 18-20
- – Malta, 3, 19
- – Netherlands, 20, 22-23
- – - Mobilising the Internet, 22
- – Portugal, 23, 33
- – Spain, 4, 7, 20, 23-25
- – Sweden, 19-20
- – UK, 3-5, 7-8, 20, 22, 24-25
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., 51-52
- Maher, Grahame, 51-52
W
Wanlida Group Co., Ltd
- Malata, 41
Weglokoks, 27
Western Europe, 15
- Austria, 20
- Channel Islands, 46
- Denmark, 20
- France, 6-7, 15, 17, 20, 27, 31
- Germany, 3-4, 7, 16-17, 20, 22, 24
- Greece, 17
- Ireland, 17-19
- – Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), 18
- – Government, 19
- Italy, 3-4, 7, 11, 18-20
- Jersey, 46
- Malta, 3, 19
- Netherlands, 4, 20, 22-23
- Norway, 20, 22
- Portugal, 23, 33
- Spain, 4, 7, 20, 23-25
- – Comisión del Mercado de las Telecomunicaciones (CMT), 23-24
- Sweden, 20
- Switzerland, 20
- Turkey, 16
- United Kingdom (UK), 3-5, 7-8, 20, 22, 24-25
- – British Standards Institute (BSI), 25
- – Government, 4, 6, 24-25
Western Union, 32
World Motor Sports Council (WMSC), 5
Y
Yulong Computer Telecommunication Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd, 41
Z
Zain Group (MTC/Celtel), 29, 31-32
- OpCos (Zain/Celtel/MTC), 29, 31-32
- – Africa, 32
- – Ghana, 29, 31
- – Kenya, 31-32
ZTE Corporation, 41
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