RNS Number:0158K
Vodafone Group Plc
05 October 2006
5 October 2006
VODAFONE ANNOUNCES FIRST SINGLE BRAND PARTNERSHIP WITH
LAUNCH OF VODAFONE ICELAND
* Iceland's Og-Vodafone becomes first partner network to gain agreement to
operate under Vodafone's brand name as Vodafone Iceland
* Single brand partnership includes an enhanced Vodafone-branded customer
experience with increased access to Vodafone marketing knowledge and
expertise
Vodafone has today announced it will license its brand name to its partner in
Iceland, Og-Vodafone, which will now operate under the name "Vodafone Iceland."
This is the first time Vodafone has allowed a partner to operate under its name
as a licensed brand franchise and reinforces Vodafone's strategy to expand its
brand footprint and enhance the value of the Vodafone brand in countries where
it does not hold an equity interest.
The re-brand will cover Og-Vodafone's mobile, fixed-line and internet services.
This is in line with Vodafone's recent strategic announcement that it intends to
become a total communications provider.
Og-Vodafone, a dual branded Partner since April 2003, has been able, under its
previous agreement with Vodafone, to offer its customers selected Vodafone
products such as Vodafone live!, the Vodafone Mobile Connect data card and
BlackBerry from Vodafone. Now, as Vodafone Iceland, the company will have
broader access to Vodafone's marketing assets, including, by agreement, the
future range of Vodafone services which will be offered to the sophisticated
Icelandic market under the trusted Vodafone name.
For Vodafone Iceland customers travelling abroad and for Vodafone customers
visiting Iceland, the agreement will further enhance the ability for customers
to uniformly access Vodafone's services in markets where Vodafone operates.
Matthias Jungemann, Director of Partner Markets at Vodafone said: "We are very
pleased that Og-Vodafone has become Vodafone Iceland, as the first single brand
partnership offered by Vodafone anywhere in the world. We have not done this
with any other company, so this decision demonstrates how pleased we are with
how the partnership has developed."
"Vodafone Iceland has clearly shown us that they provide high-quality services
to their customers, backed by expert marketing and can bring Vodafone products
to market in a country that is sophisticated, demanding and technology savvy.
Our business arrangement has developed into a trusted relationship which has led
to us offering them the opportunity to use only the Vodafone name."
Arni Petur Jonsson, CEO, Vodafone Iceland added: "Our customers have always
demanded the highest level of service and the best available technologies and
through our partnership with Vodafone we have been able to meet these needs by
successfully launching services such as Vodafone live! and the Vodafone Mobile
Connect data card. The Icelandic people are great travellers and further access
to Vodafone's international network and services will support their journeys
across the world, whether for business or pleasure."
- ends-
For further information:
Vodafone Group
Investor Relations Media Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 664447 Tel: +44 (0) 1635 664444
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile telecommunications group
with equity interests in 27 countries across 5 continents with 186.8 million
proportionate customers worldwide as at 30 June 2006 as well as 33 partner
networks. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com
About Vodafone Iceland
Vodafone Iceland is the trading name for Og fjarskipti ehf. The company offers
mobile, fixed-line and ADSL/ internet services to individuals and companies. As
at 22 September 2006 Vodafone Iceland had 165 thousand customers.
(c) Vodafone Group 2006. VODAFONE, the Vodafone logos, Vodafone live! and
Vodafone Mobile Connect are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and
company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective
owners.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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