Vodafone Ghana Q3 service revenue rises by 32.5 percent (Ghana)
Vodafone Ghana, an operating company of Vodafone Group Plc., the world’s leading mobile telecommunications company, is reportedly the only operator in the country to introduce its own custom-made affordable mobile handsets and other devices for users in the country.
According to reports, the company has unveiled 14 of its branded handsets along with a number of different devices such as Mi-fi, Torres, Ideos and Webbox among others, in order to cater to the specific users requirements in Ghana. Further, reports suggest that Vodafone has been a pioneer in introducing users in Ghana to high-end devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Tablet and the Galaxy SII along with the HTC Sensation.
As per sources, Evans Boake, Portfolio Manager for Terminals, Vodafone Ghana has said that they are the only telecom company in Ghana that goes to the market to look for what people want and then commission handset manufacturers to design handsets from concept in order to meet the specific needs of the different categories of their customers. He added that other telecom operators buy existing brands like Nokia and others and put their sticker on them, but they actually order the phones to be custom-made and branded Vodafone from source.
According to company reports, Vodafone recorded an increase of 32.5 percent in service revenue in the third quarter, with a major contributing factor being attributed to its value offerings, inclusive of packages on its affordable handsets.
Vodafone Ghana launches the ’138′ tariff plan (Ghana)
Vodafone Ghana has launched another tariff plan for users offering them much more affordable rates at specific times. According to reports, the ’138′ promotion launched by Vodafone offers users a discounted rate of US$ 0. 00615 per minute for on-net calls made between 9pm and 11pm and between 5am and 7am every day. Further, the scheme also offers users discounted rates of $ 0.01846 per minute for on-net calls made on weekends along with $0.04924 per minute for the rest of the week.
As per sources, Mr. Julius Owusu-Kyeremanten, Customer Value Manager, Vodafone Ghana has said that in order to activate the US$ 0.00615 per minute at night, a user would need to spend at least $ 0.30774 within the day, while to activate the $ 0.01846 per minute offer, the user would need to have spent at least $ 1.53872 during the week.
Vodafone Ghana appoints two new top management officials
Vodafone has appointed Uche Ofodile as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Marc Norris as the new Commercial Director in a move to create the best customer experience in Ghana.
Uche was the head of Strategy and Brand department at Vodafone Ghana until her new appointment.
As per the company, Uche as CMO would be responsible for developing consumer marketing strategy and planning, generating deep customer insight, handling corporate communications and brand positioning and management. Her department will help drive sales promotions, advertising and go-to-market strategies.
Prior to joining Vodafone Ghana, Uche spent over six years in Nigeria working in various senior leadership roles in the telecommunications industry. She worked for Econet Wireless (now Airtel) and MTS First Wireless. She was also the media spokesperson and Marketing Director for Nurtricima Ltd where she led product innovation and marketing communication.
Uche has a B.A. in Political Science and recently completed a diploma in Strategic Marketing from Columbia Business School.
The new Commercial Director, Marc Norris, joined Vodafone in 2009 as a part of the Senior Management Team assigned to transform Ghana Telecom into Vodafone Ghana.
He previously served as the Director of Consumer Fixed, responsible for the broadband & fixed voice businesses.
Prior to joining Vodafone, Marc was the CEO of Oplayo Oy, GM of Consumer BT and GM of One.Tel.
Marc has also held senior operational/general management positions in the internet & telecoms sectors.
He has worked in the international telecom sector for 22 years specifically in Australia, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, France, UK, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Finland and Ghana.
According to Vodafone Ghana CEO, Kyle Whitehill, they are pleased to have Uche and Marc on board in their respective new positions. Vodafone believed their experiences would be invaluable to the company as it builds a stronger relationship with its Ghanaian customers and moves closer to their goal of becoming the telecommunications provider of choice in Ghana.
VIP Communications and Vodafone Ghana Launch Direct Line Ghana Service
VIP Communications, Inc., a leading provider of international calling services and solutions, in partnership with Vodafone Ghana, today announced the launch of Direct Line Ghana, an international calling service that enables VIP customers in the US to stay in touch with family and friends in Ghana at rates up to 35 percent less than existing calling services.
Exclusive to VIP, Direct Line Ghana provides Ghanaians in the US their own Ghana telephone number which connects directly to their US mobile or landline phone at an industry low rate of 12.9 cents per minute. In Ghana, calling the Direct Line number is free from any Vodafone mobile or landline phone.
VIP customers can simply add Direct Line Ghana to their existing VIP account or new customers can open a VIP calling account and then add the new service. Registration is simple, either by visiting http://www.joinvip.com/directlineghana/ or calling on 1-855-GOGHANA (1-855-4644262).
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to offer our large and loyal base of Ghanaian customers this new service to reduce their high costs of calling to Ghana,” said Graham Milne, President of VIP Communications. “Our new partnership with Vodafone Ghana has opened up an entirely unique method for Ghanaians to speak with their families and friends whilst saving almost half of the cost of a regular call.”
”The decision to be part of this initiative is a clear manifestation of Vodafone’s commitment to make our services affordable and accessible to enhance people’s lives the world over,” Carmen Bruce- Annan, Head of Corporate Communications, Vodafone Ghana noted.
This announcement continues to build on the momentum VIP Communications has achieved recently, and solidifies its presence as the leading international calling provider to expats living in the US. Over the past year alone, the company has increased its customer base by more than 30% and expanded its service portfolio to include business and mobile services. The company has also earned recognition for its ‘No Hidden Fees’ philosophy, which assures customers pay only the per-minute rate that’s advertised, and not any additional fees or service charges.
The company has also become a household name in the international calling industry, being recognized by renowned media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, The New York Times, CBS, and many others.
To visit VIP Communications’ web site and learn more about the Ghana Direct Line service, please go to www.Joinvip.com.
About VIP Communications
Ashburn, VA based VIP Communications, Inc. provides long distance and international calling services that enable customers to stay in touch with family and friends and business contacts, worldwide. VIP’s calling services are available from both land lines and cell phones at highly competitive rates. The company has experienced rapid growth in recent years by specializing in international calling services with excellent quality connections and world class customer service via its live person help desk. For more information about VIP, please visit www.joinvip.com.
About Vodafone Ghana
Vodafone Ghana is an operating company of Vodafone Group Plc., the world’s leading mobile telecommunications company, with a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the United States.
Vodafone Ghana is a total communications solutions provider - mobile, fixed lines, internet, voice and data - and is currently unmatched in providing fixed line and internet services - the leader and the first choice for Ghanaians.
Vodafone Ghana, Huawei ink five-year managed service deal
Ghanaian fixed and mobile operator Vodafone Ghana has selected China’s Huawei for a five-year managed services agreement.
Under the agreement Huawei will take over responsibilities for the operations and maintenance of the Vodafone mobile, microwave, SDH and fixed switching networks.
It is expected that the long term partnership will provide the telco with a sustainable operating model, reducing its operating expenses and enabling it to focus further on providing more attractive new services to its customers.
According to Huawei, the network operations agreement signed by the pair also guarantees performance and service quality of the Vodafone network, which is used by multiple vendors across the country.
Vodafone & NCA to introduce new number codes in Ghana
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: New number codes will be introduced by Vodafone Ghana (formerly Ghana Telecom) and Ghana’s telecoms industry regulator the National Communications Authority (NCA) from May 1 in each of the nation’s ten administrative regions.
Following the switchover, all fixed line and mobile numbers in Ghana will share the same ten-digit format.
According to the company, while the new numbering system will go live from the start of May, under the transitional system being implemented calls made to the old number will reach their destination up until August 2010.
Vodafone Ghana introduces ‘The Vodafone Way’
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: “The Vodafone Way”, a new business model has been launched by Vodafone Ghana to create a significant shift in the work culture of employees and partners of the telecom giant to make it more customers oriented.
According to Isaac Abraham, Corporate Communications Manager of the Company, new business model was designed to make the company’s customers’ expectations real by investing in programmes that would help it understand what motivated customers and it will ensure that Vodafone, its staff and partners do business with speed, simplicity and trust.
The service is also expected to assist in making the company the number one communications network in the country not only in terms of total mobile numbers but in terms of quality of voice and data services and finding solutions to telecommunications problems.
Vodafone Ghana & Afric Xpress to launch txtnpay services
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The subscribers of Vodafone Ghana will now be able to buy air time and top up their credit, with a simple click on the phone. This innovatively new service will be rolled out by the telecom operator in partnership with Afric Xpress.
Airtime for transactions such as pay utility bills at SMS charges could also be used by the subscribers through this service by registering at a txtnpay centre dotted across the country.
According to Chief Executive of Afric Xpress Mr Nvalaye Kourouma, the service offers a secured platform that brings innovation in customer service and the first of series of innovations that would be introduced onto the market.
A New York based electronic payment solution provider Afric Xpress focuses on mobile payments and it is currently looking at fostering electronic based markets in Africa by turning mobile phones into commercial platform, empowering customers with security, speed and convenience.
Ghana soon to receive MNP service
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Mobile phone users of Ghana can soon enjoy the facility of mobile number portability (MNP) as the government is planning to implement the service soon. With this service, the subscribers will get the freedom to switch to a new service provider without losing their existing mobile number. The government’s move would guarantee quality service and give consumers a choice.
The move is welcomed by Vodafone Ghana, while CDMA operator Kasapa Telecom restated in October 2009 that MNP is ‘vital’ for the development of the industry in the country and that ‘the years of delay in implementing it so far are both inexplicable and inexcusable.
Ghana Telecom to be known as Vodafone Ghana Limited by mid-2009
The Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Care of Ghana Telecommunications Limited, Major Albert Don-Chebe, said that workers will never be laid off in spite of the transformation taking place in the organisation. According to Major Don-Chebe, the company will change its name to Vodafone Ghana Limited by the middle of the year. Ghana Telecom is intending to rebrand the company in order to cover all parts of the country to enhance effective communication.
Major Don-Chebe further said that Vodafone is the leading mobile communication company globally with about 290 million subscribers.
The government of Ghana owns about 30% shares of the Vodafone Company which is currently operating in over 26 countries with about 40 partners, revealed Major Don-Chebe.
The Eastern Regional Manager of Ghana Telecom, Nii Amaa Fleischer-Brock, said the company has plans to introduce more call sites to ease congestion in areas including New Abirem and Achiase in the Eastern Region.
