Vodafone Extends its Brand Presence to Eastern Europe

Vodafone has signed a partnernship with mobilkom austria to introduce Vodafone's global services into Austria, Croatia and Slovenia. mobilkom austria group, Telekom Austria's mobile subisidiary, includes the Croatian operator VIPnet, and the Slovenian operator Si.mobil, and has 4.26 million customers across its territories.

Vodafone's portfolio of global services, supported by its global brand communication, will be available in seven countries outside the 28 countries world wide where Vodafone has a direct equity stake: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Kuwait and Slovenia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone and mobilkom austria group will co-operate in the development and marketing of global services. mobilkom austria group companies will promote Vodafone's global services under dual brand logos in the respective countries. During the first half of 2003, mobilkom austria group will begin to introduce Vodafone global services, namely, Vodafone Eurocall, Assisted Roaming, Virtual Home Environment, Pre-paid Roaming, Pre-paid Roaming Top Ups and GPRS Roaming. Vodafone customers will then be able to use their Vodafone services when travelling in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia including their Vodafone live! and Vodafone Mobile Office services.

The use of the dual brand logos 'A1 Vodafone', 'VIP Vodafone', and 'Si.mobil Vodafone' for the marketing of the partnership will ensure that Vodafone customers recognise mobilkom austria group's operators in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia as trusted Vodafone partners. mobilkom austria group's customers will be able to access Vodafone's roaming services across its global service footprint, supported by Vodafone branding.

Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone, said 'Vodafone's Partner Network strategy represents an increasingly significant development in the delivery of Vodafone's mobile services. By partnering with leading mobile operators such as mobilkom austria group, Vodafone is able to market its portfolio of global services in new territories, extend its brand reach into new markets and create additional revenue without equity investment."

Posted to the site on 8th January 2003