Vodafonewatch issue 2010.03 Executive Brief
22 April 2010
.
Executive Brief from Vodafonewatch, issue 2010.03. Click through for: an Extract from this month’s report; the Issue Snapshot; or to contact us for more information about the full 80-page issue, this industry standard monthly report service, and ongoing subscription access.
- GROUP: Intel executive Siavash Alamouti is to step into Dr. Mike Walker’s shoes as Group Research and Development Director at Vodafone, following the latter’s decision to retire in 2009. In Kenya, Michael Joseph, head of Safaricom, is to step down “some time in 2010″. [p.4.]
- Speculation continued to heighten around the future ownership of Vodafone and Verizon Communications’ (VZ) Verizon Wireless joint venture, with VZ seen facing a looming quandary over dividend payments from the mobile operator as intra-company debt repayments come to an end. Rumours also continue to circulate over Vodafone’s minority interest in SFR. In Japan, SoftBank confirmed plans to invest in newly bankrupt personal handyphone provider Willcom, offering potential cost savings through sharing of assets. [pp.6,18,71.]
- Vodafone Global Enterprise secured two emerging market-oriented contract wins with logistics firm Deutsche Post DHL, helping to validate recent Vodafone investments in Africa and elsewhere, while Vodafone Germany, Vodafone Spain, and Vodafone UK all revealed new corporate customers. Libyan operator Al-Madar became the first North African member of Vodafone’s Partner Markets initiative, while Denmark’s TDC renewed its marketing alliance with the Group. [pp.5-8,29,36,40,44.]
- Cutthroat competition in the navigation sector saw Vodafone announce the “proposed closure” of Wayfinder, the location-based service business it bought only just over a year ago, prompting further questions over the Group’s mobile value added services strategy. [pp.11,13.]
- Verizon Wireless again painted a healthy picture of progress in Long Term Evolution (LTE) network field trials, in the cities of Boston and Seattle, and handed Alcatel-Lucent a contract to supply mobile backhaul infrastructure for the future 4G network. Vodafone’s less hurried LTE development plans continued, with Vodafone Italy claiming to have made its first data connection using “commercial” LTE equipment, and ZTE detailing plans to research LTE, and other technologies, alongside Vodafone Germany. [pp.19,20,27,34.]
- EUROPE REGION: SFR announced the roll out of a location-based advertising platform serving busy shopping areas in and around Paris, following trials, and is to pilot the distribution of “bio-sourced” SIM cards. [pp.24,25.]
- Efforts by Vodafone Germany rivals E-Plus and Telefónica O2 Germany to block the country’s much anticipated ‘digital dividend’ spectrum auction continued. Conversely, in the UK, Vodafone and Telefónica O2 have threatened legal action over spectrum issues arising from the now-approved merger of Orange UK and T-Mobile UK, in a move that could seemingly derail upcoming sales of frequencies in the country. However, a long-delayed auction of new radio frequencies in Netherlands is due to go ahead in the coming weeks. [pp.26,35,41.]
- Vodafone Germany’s directory assistance partner Telegate hinted that the OpCo is making early preparations for the launch of directory enquiry services for mobile phone numbers, following recent market liberalisation. Vodafone Greece moved ahead of other OpCos in the roll out of mobile broadband network enhancements, with the launch of HSPA+ MIMO in Athens. [pp.29-31.]
- Vodafone UK admitted recent connectivity problems with its Sure Signal femtocell offering, although better quality-of-service news came from an unlikely source: an O2 UK sponsored network performance study. The OpCo also announced a further round of job cuts. [pp.40,43,45.]
- AFRICA & CENTRAL EUROPE: Vodafone Czech Republic claims to have made available more than 2,500 tariff options, after launching a new pricing structure that enables customers to build their own plans. Vodafone Ghana continued efforts to modernise its business by committing staff to a corporate mantra called “The Vodafone Way”. [pp.47,48.]
- In Kenya, Safaricom’s mobile network and M-PESA mobile remittance platform are being used to support a scheme that seeks to widen access to crop failure insurance. However, M-PESA‘s recently launched cross border transfer service is said to have got off to a slow start. [p.49.]
- The prospect of a conclusion to the saga of exit ambitions by Polkomtel’s local shareholders faded somewhat, with investors revealing divisions over previously mooted plans for a partial flotation. [p.53.]
- ASIA-PACIFIC & MIDDLE EAST: China Mobile beat expectations with a rise in Q4 FY09 net profit, but, with pressure on customer and revenue growth continuing to increase, and demands from its 3G rollout set to diminish, the operator suggested it will put a brake on capital expenditure in its home market. The company also highlighted the strategic importance it is now placing on value-added services, by paying around $5.8bn (£3.9bn/EUR4.3bn) for a 20% stake in local lender Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, in a move said to be geared towards mobile financial service rollout. China Mobile also reiterated plans to pursue growth abroad. [pp.55-58.]
- In Egypt, it was suggested that Telecom Egypt, Vodafone’s local partner, may bid for a fourth mobile licence in the country, adding to recent signs that a potential break up of the two companies’ alliance could be looming. Vodafone Fiji had its wrist slapped over anti-competitive dealership and SMS delivery agreements. [pp.59,60.]
The critical issue of availability of frequencies is coming to a head in India, with operators jostling to influence a regulatory review of spectrum allocation, and the country’s long-delayed 3G and broadband wireless licence auctions at last appearing imminent. Vodafone Essar is to bid in both sell-offs. [pp.61,62.]
About Vodafonewatch
Issue: 2010.03
Covering: March 2010
Published: April 2010
Next issue: April 2010
Vodafone and its rich web of OpCos — tracked and analysed worldwide.
A unique monthly report for the industry.
- 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 its wider interests, including Verizon Wireless in the US, Vodacom in Africa, China Mobile, SFR in France, Polkomtel in Poland, Safaricom in Kenya, Partner Markets initiatives, and much more.
- Our ‘watch' titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party sales intelligence, and are considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
- A unique source of valuable opportunities, knowledge, planning, strategy, and much more, the reports represent both tactical tool and strategic reference, providing input and even a 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 is typically USD $8.2k / EUR 5.7k / UKP £5k per year for an Account Team Licence, and can be tailored to meet your specific needs and situation. Copies of individual reports are also available, priced from UKP GBP £999 (USD $1,650 / EUR 1,100). Multiple purchasing options available, including payment cards.
- Delivered electronically 10-12-plus times a year, with back issues also available, providing unparallelled 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 / +44-20-7183-0111.
Comments
Got something to say?
