Vodafone UK, has entered into an agreement with Velti, a leading global provider of mobile marketing and advertising solutions, to drive the next generation of loyalty programs for the operator in the UK. According to reports, Velti aims to target as many as 6 million Vodafone pay-as-you-go customers through this opportunity.

As per sources, Srini Gopalan, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK has said that the Vodafone Freebee Rewardz is yet another reason why customers are choosing Vodafone on pay-as-you-go. It’s a unique scheme offering Vodafone customers something more than just discounts, while enabling customers to take part with whatever pay-as-you-go phone they have. Reports suggest that each time the pay-as-you-go customers refill their account balance; they receive a voucher code through a text message. Customers can either redeem this voucher by claiming an instant reward or bank the points to save up for something bigger. Vodafone UK and Velti have reportedly teamed up with brands such as Thorntons, Blockbuster, Fitness First among others to provide top prizes.

Reports suggest that Menelaos Scouloudis, Chief Commercial Officer, Velti has said that customer retention and ARPU stimulation is vital for operators especially in the pre-paid market where competition is increasingly fierce. He added that by understanding who the customers are and the nature of their relationship with Vodafone UK, the operator is able to provide a more personalized and therefore rewarding experience.

 

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Malaysia and Singapore will be cutting its roaming charges for voice calls and text messaging over the next two years in a landmark accord.

According to Malaysian Information Minister Rais Yatim, the agreement is the first bilateral deal to slash telecommunications roaming charges in Southeast Asia, and is expected to trigger similar pacts within the region.

A statement issued by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, or IDA, stated that roaming charges for voice calls would be reduced by up to 20% starting May 1 this year, with the cut reaching a maximum of 30% starting May 1, 2012. Roaming charges for short messaging services, SMS or text messaging, would come down by up to 30% next month, reaching 50% from May 1 next year.

As per the statement, IDA and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are currently studying roaming charges for data services, including multimedia services and video calls, and are reviewing the appropriate actions. Rais described the agreement as the first bilateral cooperation to reduce roaming charges within Asean and paves the way for other similar efforts among Asean countries.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, groups Malaysia and Singapore with Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The statement quoted Singapore’s Information Minister Lui Tuck Yew as urging regulators from both sides to continue to identify new initiatives to enhance connectivity.

Telecom roaming allows subscribers to use their mobile phones to call when overseas using the network of the domestic operators, but charges are expensive.

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VimpelCom Ltd. (“VimpelCom” or the “Company”) (NYSE: VIP) announced today that the Company’s shareholders approved all of the items on the agenda at today’s Special General Meeting, paving the way to complete the combination of VimpelCom and Wind Telecom S.p.A. (“Wind Telecom”) (the “Transaction”).

Alexander Izosimov, CEO and President of VimpelCom, commented: “The approval of this transformative combination with Wind Telecom by our shareholders will lead to the creation a new global telecom player with over 173 million mobile subscribers covering a population of 838 million people. The combined group will have a significantly diversified revenue base, substantially larger scale of operations, and potential synergies estimated to be US$2.5 billion on a net present value basis. This transaction and the shareholder vote underscore the Company’s dedication to delivering substantial value creation for shareholders and our commitment to corporate governance excellence.”

Shareholders representing 93.1% of the Company’s voting shares participated in the Special General Meeting. The resolutions at the Special General Meeting were approved by 53.3% of the voting shares that participated in the meeting. Of the Company’s public shareholders, present at the Special General Meeting 39.8% voted in favor of the resolutions and 60.2% voted against the resolutions.

The completion of the Transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent, such as receipt of regulatory approvals and receipt of funds to finance the Transaction. Completion of the Transaction is expected to occur in the first half of 2011.

About VimpelCom

VimpelCom Ltd. consists of telecommunications operators providing voice and data services through a range of wireless, fixed and broadband technologies. The VimpelCom Ltd. group is headquartered in Amsterdam and has operations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan,Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, covering territory with a total population of about 351,5 million. VimpelCom Ltd. operating companies provide services under the “Beeline” and “Kyivstar” brands. VimpelCom Ltd.’s ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VIP”.

About WIND TELECOM S.p.A.

WIND TELECOM S.p.A. is a leading international telecommunications company offering mobile, fixed, Internet and international communication services.  WIND TELECOM S.p.A. owns 100% of Wind Telecomunicazioni S.p.A. and 51.7% of Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, which in turn operates GSM networks in Algeria,Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, North Korea, and in Canada through its indirect equity ownership in Globalive Wireless. WIND TELECOM S.p.A., through its subsidiaries, is currently serving 117 million subscribers worldwide and is the entry point of choice for both technically advanced attractive markets and high-growth under-penetrated emerging markets.

Chief Executive Stephane Richard announced that France Telecom SA would consider making acquisitions in certain Asian markets as it seeks to boost revenue in emerging markets but could also use excess cash for share buybacks if it doesn’t find the right acquisition targets.

According to Stephane Richard, the company focuses on emerging market with a particular focus on Africa and the Middle East. But they won’t forbid themselves from looking at an interesting opportunity elsewhere. There are only a limited number of Asian countries, notably in South-East Asia, where the group would consider expanding into if an acquisition opportunity arose. He cited Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia as countries that could be potentially interesting for the telecoms giant, noting however that the group isn’t looking at any particular target at this stage.

He added that France Telecom isn’t interested in expanding into large Asian countries or the American continent. France Telecom continues to be very disciplined when it comes to its M&A strategy and if it doesn’t find the right target, the group could also spend excess cash on share buybacks. Excess cash won’t be spent on reducing the group’s debt though as there is currently no need for it.  France Telecom will also continue to manage costs tightly. If the company wants to keep an attractive level of profitability and a high shareholder return, they have no alternative but to focus on cost efficiency.

As per Richard, regulatory decisions will weigh less on revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) next year. He added that he is very confident France Telecom will reach its target of generating EUR8 billion of free cash flow in 2010 and 2011.

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The agreement to acquire 74.1 percent stake in Millicom Lao has yet not been completed by Vimpelcom. The delay is despite the fact that all the conditions of the agreement have been met.

Acquisition of a 78 percent stake in Millicom’s mobile operator in Laos in September 2009 was announced by Vimpelcom. Laos’s government owns the remaining 22 percent of Millicom Lao.

According to Millicom, it is reserving its rights under the terms of the agreement, including the right to seek compensation for any loss of value resulting from VimpelCom’s decision not to complete the transaction.
It has also been confirmed by Millicom that it will proceed with the sale of its Laos unit.

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www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vimpelcom and Ukrainian operator Kyivstar merger has been approved by Commission on Foreign Investments. The announcement has been made by head of Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service.

As per the deal, Alfa Group and Norwegian group Telenor will pool their holdings in the two firms to establish a new US-listed, Netherlands-based operator, Vimpelcom Ltd.

Integrated mobile services to consumers in Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries, as well as Georgia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos will be provided by the united company. Vimpelcom Ltd will seek to expand its operations in Europe, Asia and Africa after its establishment.

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www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The proposed merger between Russian telco Vimpelcom and Ukrainian firm Kyivstar will be completed by mid- 2010. Telenor and Alfa Group, the two shareholders of Vimpelcom, have already agreed to combine common assets in the two cellular operators to create a new US-listed operator, thus, ending years of legal disputes between the two firms.

The proposed company will be based in Netherlands and will provide integrated mobile services to consumers in Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries, as well as Georgia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

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www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Viettel, operating under Metfone banner in Cambodia has started the test of its third-generation mobile network with a view to launching later this year. Installation of 1,500 3G base stations in the first quarter of 2010 has been hoped by company which also plans to expand coverage to all districts.

13,000km of fibre-optic cable and 3,000 2G cell sites will also be rolled out during 1Q10. Metfone aims to capture 40% of the mobile market, as well as 80% of the wireline and broadband internet sectors in 2010.

A turnover of USD70 million has been generated by Viettel from its operations in Cambodia and Laos in 2009, although, according to Metfone’s managing director, Nguyen Duy Tho, the company had met its Cambodia revenue target for 2009.

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www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With an 80% year-on-year increase, Viettel’s 2009 full-year revenue reached VND60 trillion (USD3.2 billion). 60% increase in the turnover is eyed by the Vietnamese military-owned telecoms company in 2010. Besides, the company is also planning to invest in a total of 15 countries by 2015.

Cambodia and Laos also receives service from Viettel with revenue from these markets reaching USD70 million in 2009. An agreement with Apple is also on the verge of finalization after which Viettel may see the launch of its iPhone in Vietnam from March, thus, becoming the country’s official distributor of the handset.

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Bharti Airtel CEO, Manoj Kohli told reporters in India that Airtel may bid for Millicom’s Sri Lankan operation. Bharti already operates in SL.

Wireless Federation had earlier reported that Millicom/Tigo Laos has been sold to Russia’s Vimpelcom.

Bharti is actively considering acquisitions in Africa and the world over after the talks with MTN collapsed.

Bharti group CEO Sunil Mittal has said that the company won’t engage in dialogue with MTN for a third time, after inconclusive talks twice.

Nasdaq-listed Millicom provides prepaid cellular telephony services to over 30 million customers in 16 emerging markets in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Asked if Bharti Airtel was also interested in Kuwait’s Zain Telecom,  Kohli said they will continue to explore international acquisitions. (Airtel-Zain, See Here)