Vodafone Group Plc on Monday announced plans to further expand its strategic alliances with local mobile operators in Asia, South America and other parts of the world through its "Partner Markets" division.
The global mobile-phone operator said it is expanding its partner markets in order to meet the demand for sophisticated voice, data and roaming services from multinational businesses. Over the last six months, Vodafone has established or renewed such agreements with 12 companies, including SFR and members of the Conexus Mobile Alliance in the Asia-Pacific region.
Vodafone announced the expansion plans on the 10th-year anniversary of its Partners Markets division, which represents strategic alliances between Vodafone and mobile network operators that the company does not own.
"Over the past ten years, Vodafone has entered into partnerships with mobile operators in more than 40 markets," Vodafone Partner Markets CEO Ravinder Takkar said in a statement. "Our Partner Markets division has grown rapidly in recent years, and we look forward to further expansion into emerging markets."
In related news, Vodafone noted that its partner market relationship with SFR in France is fully operational. Vodafone and SFR entered into a partner market agreement in June 2011 after Vodafone sold its 44 percent take in SFR to Vivendi. Vodafone and SFR also plan to jointly source and introduce products and services geared for the enterprise markets.
Vodafone also announced a new strategic partnership with Pacific Mobile Telecom of French Polynesia. As a new operator, Pacific Mobile Telecom will adopt the Vodafone global brand while it creates a new 3G network in French Polynesia where there is only one incumbent telecommunications provider, according to London-based Vodafone.
"With dedicated support from Vodafone, we plan an aggressive network rollout and intend to be fully operational within one year," Pacific Mobile Telecom President Albert Moux said in a statement.
Vodafone's Partners Markets agreements range from full Vodafone branding arrangements under license to product brand, roaming and service resale agreements.
