UK mobile operator Vodafone has outlined plans to grow in Asia and South America this year through partnerships with local operators.
The company, which last year offloaded non-core mobile operator assets SFR in France and Polkomtel in Poland, will…
UK mobile operator Vodafone has outlined plans to grow in Asia and South America this year through partnerships with local operators.
The company, which last year offloaded non-core mobile operator assets SFR in France and Polkomtel in Poland, will continue to avoid heavy investments and pricey buyouts. However, the group intends to step up efforts to secure strategic alliances with mobile operators it does not own through its Vodafone Partner Markets scheme, which currently includes partnerships with companies in more than 40 markets.
“Our Partner Markets division has grown rapidly in recent years, and we look forward to further expansion into emerging markets,” said Vodafone Partner Markets CEO Ravinder Takkar on 9 January.
These agreements range from full Vodafone branding arrangements under licence to product branding, roaming and service resale agreements.
After Vodafone sold its 44% stake in SFR to French media giant Vivendi, the two companies entered into a Partner Market agreement in June 2011, which sees the two companies jointly source and deploy products and services for the enterprise market.
SFR Business Team CEO Pierre Barnabé explained: “This is the extension of the long-standing partnership with Vodafone. Together, we will manage the global requirements of French multinational companies at a time when effective communications are becoming ever more important in determining business success.”
Announcing Vodafone’s plan to drive international growth through partnerships, the company also revealed that Pacific Mobile Telecom, the Tahiti-based start-up operator, will adopt the Vodafone global brand as it establishes a new 3G network in French Polynesia.
Pacific Mobile Telecom President Albert Moux said that, with Vodafone’s support, it will roll out the network within a year to compete with the only other operator in the country: incumbent Vini.
“As the in-country challenger, we believe that rapid growth can be achieved with a high-quality network, attractive retail offers and excellent products and services, all underpinned by the Vodafone brand,” said Moux.
