Vodafone Interested in Brazil - for the Right Opportunity

Vodafone is interested in investing in the Brazilian market, but only if the right opportunity arises. Speaking to the Portuguese newspaper, Diario Economico, Vodafone's CEO Arun Sarin and Portugal CEO, António Carrapatoso discussed the local market and the advantages that having an existing Portuguese operation could bring to the company if it did expand in Latin America.

"The key is to find the right opportunity. It is very easy to sit us and say we want to buy something. But someone has to be willing to sell and that has an interesting asset for us." said Arun Sarin.

"As a business, we are constantly looking for opportunities around the world. And we are becoming larger and stronger in emerging markets. Approximately 20% of our revenue... comes these emerging markets. That is a huge increase - from zero a few years ago."

Commenting on possible plans, António Carrapatoso noted that "from time to time, Vodafone looks to the Brazilian market and I have participated in many of these studies." However, he noted that none of the studies suggested an investment - at that time.

Source:http://www.cellular-news.com/

Vodafone buys Perlico

ion enables Vodafone to offer consumers a complete range of mobile, fixed-line and broadband communications services in Ireland. Financial details were not given.

The combined businesses will comprise 2.2 million subscribers from Vodafone and 62,500 from Perlico, of which 25,000 are broadband subscribers. Perlico will be a subsidiary of Vodafone, and is expected to launch as an MVNO brand in the next few months.

Perlico chief executive Iain MacDonald said: “Perlico and Vodafone represent a compelling combination. We will continue to provide the Irish consumer with the attributes which have made Perlico a success – value, choice and award-winning service.”

Vodafone Ireland chief executive Charles Butterworth added: “Perlico represents a compelling strategic fit for Vodafone Ireland. The acquisition brings Vodafone a significant step closer to our objective to provide a complete communications service to our customers – including mobile, fixed line voice, broadband and internet services.

“It will allow customers, of both Vodafone and Perlico, the opportunity to choose the communications mix that best suits them.”

Vodafone fails to stop German iPhone deal

Vodafone failed yesterday in its attempt to block a German rival from selling Apple’s iPhone exclusively, when a Hamburg court ruled that T-Mobile could market the phone only to its customers.

It dismissed a temporary injunction, issued at the request of Vodafone, that stopped the German operator from preventing the phone being used on other networks.

Vodafone, which had claimed that the tie-up breached German competition laws, could now face a substantial claim for damages from T-Mobile.

The case had threatened to undermine Apple’s iPhone business model. The Californian group had sought to maximise revenues from the gadget – a combined music player, mobile phone and internet browser – by striking exclusive operator deals in each European market.

Competition laws in France have forced Apple to open up the phone to other networks there, in addition to its “exclusive” French partner Orange.

A spokesman for Vodafone said: “The intention of the legal action was to ensure clarity on the commercial postion in the German marketplace.

Analysts have suggested that the case may have been an attempt by Vodafone, which failed to win any iPhone contracts, to disrupt T-Mobile’s sales strategy in the preChristmas sales period.

source:http://business.timesonline.co.uk

Texts sent in the UK rises to 1.2bn a week

UK mobile users are now sending 1.2 billion texts per week, the same number sent during the whole of 1999, said the Mobile Data Association (MDA).
It said 4.8 billion texts were sent in September. The figure represents growth in SMS traffic of 25 per cent compared with 2006.

The MDA has since hiked its forecast for the year from 48 billion to 52 billion text messages.

MDA chairman Mike Short said: “The UK sits in the top six of the global league of countries sending texts. As the trend towards flat-rate data tariffs increases, this will act as a catalyst for consumer’s passion for all things mobile.”

The UK figures for September break down to an average of 70 text messages per person, per month.

Ovum principal analyst John Delaney said: “Even if SMS traffic keeps growing at current rates, the networks can’t rely on SMS revenues growing at the same pace. They need to plan an encore: a new type of service that can have the same kind of mass-market appeal as SMS, and that can inject new growth into mobile messaging revenues.”
Source:http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk

Sony Ericsson Powerhouses - the K850i and W910i

Cyber Shot brand is one of most sought after name in the field of digital photography. Therefore, the camera module of a Cyber Shot phone is of utmost important. It has to satisfy if not exceed expectations of a customer who would pick up the handset relying on the brand name the phone sports.

The Sony Ericsson K850i gets full mark for delivering all and more than what the brand promises. Its 5 megapixel camera module is similar to its predecessor. High resolution imaging is accentuated with top of the line imaging aids. The handset features autofocus, digital zoom, configurable settings, special effects and many such tools and functions. The handset boasts of a fully functional Xenon flash light instead of a low quality LED flash seen in almost all other camera phones. Be it high resolution stills or high quality footage – shoot them perfectly with the SOny Ericsson K850i.

Moving to their other big phone... built wise, the Sony Ericsson W910i looks pretty much same as another new model of a different series – the Sony Ericsson S500i. However, the latter is primarily a fashion solution and features diminished capabilities – both music and otherwise, when compared to this latest addition to the Walkman series. Being a music solution, media playback capabilities of the Sony Ericsson W910i are immense. Powered by the latest Walkman media player v3.0, the device produces the best of sounds by current standards.

All premium Walkman features like TrackID, TrueBass, Graphic Equalizer, and the fabulous Shake Control, finds their respective places. The handset's internal memory pool is mere 12 Mb which is far from sufficient for a music solution. The company therefore are shipping a 512 Mb external memory card free with a standard kit. Sound output could be through standard pair of headset supplied with the phone, wireless stereo Bluetooth headsets or even on the built in speakers.

Vodafone and Telefónica go into mobile ads

Vodafone and Telefónica have taken stakes in a mobile phones advertising company, as they look for ways to fight back against the incursion of internet search groups into their territory.

The two rival mobile operators have made an undisclosed investment in Amobee, which has begun rolling out its advertising serving platform for mobile search, mobile games and text messages.

Both companies have begun trials of Amobee's technology - Telefónica through its O2 subsidiary in the UK and Vodafone in Spain, Greece and the Czech Republic - but said they had decided to take minority stakes to improve their understanding of a potential future growth source.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Vodafone says its giving 1m custs a better deal - by ditching a restrictive condition

One million Vodafone customers get a better deal

From November 22, more than one million Vodafone Supa Prepay customers will benefit from having up to one year to use their top up credit*.

According to Vodafone General Manager of Products and Services, Kursten Shalfoon, Vodafone has listened to customers and extended the life of top up credit from 90 days to 365 days.

"We've found that many of our Supa Prepay customers prefer to top up in large amounts to take full advantage of what Supa Prepay has to offer including Free Weekends, BestMates, and TXT2000."

"Extending the time that credit can be used means customers can ensure they have enough credit to enjoy the special services only Supa Prepay can provide, but not have to worry about credit expiring after three months," he says.

Supa Prepay was originally launched with 90 days to use top up credits, in line with international trends towards shorter expiry periods – some as low as 30 days.

"Customer feedback was that we should bring back 365 day expiry, so we have," says Shalfoon.

* Vodafone is changing the Supa Prepay balance expiry period to 365 days – the change applies to top ups made on or after 22 November 2007.
For terms and conditions and more info visit www.vodafone.co.nz/supaprepay

Nokia's media ambitions gets nod from Vodafone

Rivals refuse to encroach on networks' territory
Vodafone last week backed Nokia’s potentially disruptive move into digital content provision, just as rival manufacturers Sony Ericsson and LG Mobile counted themselves out of any face-off with their network partners over mobile content.

Nokia’s deal with Vodafone is the second major endorsement for its ‘Ovi’ content portal, following O2 parent company Telefónica’s decision to integrate its network services with Nokia’s content play last month.

The Vodafone deal will see Nokia Ovi services made available on a range of 3G and HSDPA Nokia handsets ranged by the network, alongside its own content offering. Nokia has agreed to make certain devices exclusive to Vodafone as part of the agreement.

Both the Vodafone MusicStation and the Nokia Music Store will be available on Nokia's 2008 handset range from Vodafone.

Ovum analyst John Delaney said: “Nokia has big ambitions for Ovi. By associating with Ovi at this stage Vodafone is taking an early opportunity to benefit collaterally from the substantial investments that Nokia is likely to make in developing and marketing the Ovi brand and line of services.”

Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson and LG Mobile both stated they would not follow Nokia’s route for fear of jeapordising their network relationships.

Bad News for Vodafone in US$2 Billion Indian Tax Dispute

India's Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) has ruled that an overseas transaction between two US companies involving the sale of Indian assets is liable for taxation - and that the buyer is required to pay the tax liability. The ruling is significant as the situation closely mirrors that affecting Vodafone's recent purchase of Huchison International's controlling stake in Hutchison Essar, now known as Vodafone Essar.

Vodafone has argued that it is not liable for the taxes because the sale took place between offshore entities outside of the Indian government's jurisdiction. The company has also claimed that Hutchison, the seller, should be liable for any related taxes.

The ruling from the AAR affects the dealing of shares in the Hyderabad-based Trinity Corp. between two US based companies. The AAR ruled that the buyer of the shares should be treated as an "­agent" under Section 163 of the Income-Tax Act, even though they are not Indian companies. It also ruled that the responsibility for paying the taxes due lies with the buyer.

While the court case is only binding in this specific instance, it will be a boost to the Indian government's attempt to claim upwards of US$2 billion in tax liabilities from Vodafone following its US$11.1 billion purchase of Huchison's stake in the Indian phone company.

The transaction itself was rather complex - with Vodafone International Holdings BV, a company registered in the Netherlands, acquiring the entire share capital of CGP Investments (Holdings) Ltd, a Cayman Islands based company from Hutchison International (HTIL). CGP, itself, owns 52 per cent stakes in Hutchison India.

Source:http://www.cellular-news.com

Bad News for Vodafone in US$2 Billion Indian Tax Dispute

India's Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) has ruled that an overseas transaction between two US companies involving the sale of Indian assets is liable for taxation - and that the buyer is required to pay the tax liability. The ruling is significant as the situation closely mirrors that affecting Vodafone's recent purchase of Huchison International's controlling stake in Hutchison Essar, now known as Vodafone Essar.

Vodafone has argued that it is not liable for the taxes because the sale took place between offshore entities outside of the Indian government's jurisdiction. The company has also claimed that Hutchison, the seller, should be liable for any related taxes.

The ruling from the AAR affects the dealing of shares in the Hyderabad-based Trinity Corp. between two US based companies. The AAR ruled that the buyer of the shares should be treated as an "­agent" under Section 163 of the Income-Tax Act, even though they are not Indian companies. It also ruled that the responsibility for paying the taxes due lies with the buyer.

While the court case is only binding in this specific instance, it will be a boost to the Indian government's attempt to claim upwards of US$2 billion in tax liabilities from Vodafone following its US$11.1 billion purchase of Huchison's stake in the Indian phone company.

The transaction itself was rather complex - with Vodafone International Holdings BV, a company registered in the Netherlands, acquiring the entire share capital of CGP Investments (Holdings) Ltd, a Cayman Islands based company from Hutchison International (HTIL). CGP, itself, owns 52 per cent stakes in Hutchison India.

Vodafone may have to pay $2 billion to Indian government for Hutchison Essar acquisition

Vodafone could be looking down the barrel of a $2 billion shotgun, held by the Indian government. You see, Vodafone’s recent acquisition of Hutchison Essar, India’s largest mobile operator might be subject to capital gains taxes - and the Bombay High Court just green-lighted an investigation into whether Vodafone is really is liable for the taxes.

Vodafone acquired Hutchison Essar for a righteous sum of $11 billion, and the capital gains made from that deal may require $2 billion in taxes. . The company is arguing that the deal was made between offshore entities (Vodafone and Hong Kong-based Hutchison) and is therefore not subject to taxation.
Vodafone is what we’d call a big fish in the wireless pond, so we’re sure they’re not going to go belly-up if they have to pony up the $2 billion. But, that’s still a lot of money to just throw away, and you can be sure that Vodafone will be fighting this tax to the end - after all, it Vodafone was just fined in Greece.

iPhone video recording, more features coming soon?

As long as the iPhone hacking community keeps jailbreaking the latest iPhone firmware updates, we have no problem with updating our handsets. However, should there come a time when iPhone hackers are unable to find a way into the iPhone’s file-system, Apple had better offer us some really, really, enticing features to get us to update our iPhones - features like video recording, iChat, MMS, stereo Bluetooth.

Well, we could be getting those sought after features in the near future. Pocket-lint is reporting that they have confirmation from an Apple spokesperson that “plenty more upgrades” are planned for the future. “All the complaints and feature requests we’ve had can be fixed and added by software upgrades,” said the Apple spokesperson.

There is even talk of Apple adding video recording functionality and integrating a YouTube uploading feature. And industry insider told Pocket-lint that, “They [Apple] aren’t stupid. They won’t want to give you everything at once. You wait, there will an exciting partnership with YouTube that adds video functionality and then lets you upload to the site in no time.”

Vodafone beats forecasts as 3G licences finally start to ring the right numbers

Growing consumer demand for social networking sites and sports clips on the move have helped Vodafone to thrive in increasingly fierce mobile markets, it emerged yesterday, as the group increased its full-year revenue and profit forecasts.

Increasing use of the internet on mobiles led to a surge of nearly 50 per cent in the more lucrative data revenues at the mobile giant, to £1 billion in the first half.

The trend, combined with a strong performance in the group’s emerging markets such as India, sent Vodafone’s overall revenues up 9 per cent to a better-than-expected £17 billion. The group’s shares closed up nearly 8 per cent at 195.7p.

Vodafone's Full-year revenues are expected to hit between £34.5 billion and £35.1 billion , against a previous range of between £33.3 billion and £34.1 billion. Operating profit is expected to be in the range of £9.5 billion to £9.9 billion, up from £9.3 billion to £9.8 billion.
Analysts at Bear Stearns said that the 41 per cent jump in data growth was “clearly positive”. Citigroup noted that data revenues now account for 7.3 per cent of the group’s total Western European revenues.

source:http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article2866123.ece