Mobistar to launch “permission marketing??? via Bluetooth
Major Belgian service provider Mobistar, in cooperation with Sony Ericsson, is launching an innovative campaign in eight Belgian cities using interactive Bluetooth technology. All users with Bluetooth enabled handsets will be able to receive free ringtones if they are within 30 metres of an Abribus (a bus shelter showcase). Consumers will receive a message asking whether he would like to receive a ringtone. If he accepts, the consumer receives a free Christina Aguilera True Tone from Mobistar. This campaign will introduce mobile users to what is called “permission marketing”. The telecom operator is the first to use the new Bluetooth technology. “Traditional mass communication must give way to new communication methods. This campaign illustrates the concept of interactive communication and is based on the principles of permission marketing” states Chris Van Roey, Chief Communication Officer of Mobistar.
“Music plays an important role in the lives of young people. To create a unique music experience via mobile and to further reinforce our position with the music and youth segment, Mobistar cooperated with JCDecaux Innovate, Sony Ericsson and Sony BMG to develop this interactive campaign.” comments Van Roey.
Source- http://www.w2forum.com
Technorati : Belgium, Ericsson, Mobile, Mobistar, Sony
Ice Rocket : Belgium, Ericsson, Mobile, Mobistar, Sony
Mobistar to launch “permission marketing” via Bluetooth
Major Belgian service provider Mobistar, in cooperation with Sony Ericsson, is launching an innovative campaign in eight Belgian cities using interactive Bluetooth technology. All users with Bluetooth enabled handsets will be able to receive free ringtones if they are within 30 metres of an Abribus (a bus shelter showcase). Consumers will receive a message asking whether he would like to receive a ringtone. If he accepts, the consumer receives a free Christina Aguilera True Tone from Mobistar. This campaign will introduce mobile users to what is called “permission marketing”. The telecom operator is the first to use the new Bluetooth technology. “Traditional mass communication must give way to new communication methods. This campaign illustrates the concept of interactive communication and is based on the principles of permission marketing” states Chris Van Roey, Chief Communication Officer of Mobistar.
“Music plays an important role in the lives of young people. To create a unique music experience via mobile and to further reinforce our position with the music and youth segment, Mobistar cooperated with JCDecaux Innovate, Sony Ericsson and Sony BMG to develop this interactive campaign.” comments Van Roey.
Technorati : Belgium, Mobile Marketing, MobileYouth, Mobistar, Sony Ericsson, SonyBMG
Tele2, Versatel to merge Dutch, Belgian operations
Tele2 and Versatel have agreed to merge their Dutch and Belgian operations. The merger will take the form of Versatel acquiring Tele2′s Dutch and Belgian operations. Versatel will issue new shares to finance the transaction, with all shareholders able to participate in the share issue on a pro rata basis. Versatel said as well that it may need to raise capital to complete its business plan, although has yet to decide whether this would take the form of a debt or equity issue. Versatel and Tele2 have been working to complete their merger for nearly a year. While Tele2 holds a majority of shares in Versatel, opposition from minority shareholders has held up the legal merger of the companies.
Source- http://www.telecompaper.com
Technorati : Belgium, Dutch, Mobile, Operator, Versatel
Ice Rocket : Belgium, Dutch, Mobile, Operator, Versatel
Belgacom pays Vodafone US$2.6 billion for rest of mobile arm Proximus
BRUSSELS (AP) – Belgium’s biggest telephone company, Belgacom SA, said Friday it has agreed to buy Vodafone Group PLC’s 25 per cent stake in Proximus for $2.6 billion US, giving it full control of the mobile operator. Proximus is Belgium’s largest mobile operator, with 47 per cent market share and 4.25 million customers. Belgacom said it expected the deal would add six to seven per cent to next year’s earnings – citing “significant synergies” and tax savings as it struggles with falling revenue from its main market, traditional telephone calls. It said it would finance the two-billion-euro buyout with a bridge loan in the short term and may make a bond offering later. It will also use the 67 million euros ($86 million) it will receive by selling its 5.8 per cent stake in French telecom firm Neuf Cegetel. France’s second largest mobile operator, SFR, has agreed to buy Neuf Cegetel. Belgacom said these deals were part of its plan to focus on its core market, saying it would continue to roll out new services such as digital TV and broadband internet in Belgium. Analyst Dirk Saelens who covers Belgacom stock for KBC Securities said both deals are positive news. The price paid for the Proximus stake “is not cheap, but it’s a good move and still earnings enhancing,” he said. Belgacom shares rose 2.5 per cent to 27.82 euros ($35.70) in trading in Brussels. The company faces a tough market, expecting revenue from its major source of revenue – fixed line telephone services – to decline by three per cent this year. New European Union rules on lower charges for international roaming to be introduced next year will also have a significant financial impact on Proximus, it said. Belgacom depends on fixed-line telephone calls for nearly half of its revenue but the market is shrinking. Revenue from fixed line services fell 1.4 per cent in the first six months of 2006, it said, which was partly offset from the growth in Internet, network integration services and selling access at wholesale rates to rivals. Belgacom reported a net profit of 219 million euros ($281 million) in the second quarter, down 23 per cent from 286 million euros in the same period last year. Total revenues rose 11 per cent to 1.525 billion euros ($1.96 billion) from 1.37 billion euros a year ago. Belgacom CEO Didier Bellens said the company would spend up to 200 million euros ($257 million) buying back shares and paying shareholders an interim dividend of 100 million euros ($128 million) before the end of the year. Bellens said the company was doing better than expected but preferred to reward shareholders rather than actively hunt for new acquisitions.
Source- http://money.canoe.ca
Technorati : Belgacom, Belgium, Mobile, Vodafone
Ice Rocket : Belgacom, Belgium, Mobile, Vodafone
