Partner Network in Chile

RNS Number : 2489U

Vodafone Group Plc

13 May 2008

 



13 May 2008

VODAFONE ENTERS INTO STRATEGIC PARTNER MARKET ALLIANCE WITH ENTEL PCS IN CHILE

Vodafone and Entel PCS today announce that they have signed a Partner Market agreement - a strategic alliance which will see the introduction of an exclusive range of Vodafone products and services made available for Entel PCS customers in the Republic of Chile.

Under the terms of this agreement, Entel PCS has access to specific Vodafone knowledge and expertise and will be able to provide their customers with selected Vodafone roaming and eventually business and consumer products. These products and services will include a range of push-email devices and Vodafone branded handsets. In addition to Entel PCS's current product portfolio the company will be able to offer a series of Vodafone-branded mobile broadband USB modems, which will enable customers to access the internet from their laptops at broadband speeds over Entel PCS's mobile network.

Vodafone's products and services will be marketed in Chile under Vodafone's global brand, enhancing Entel PCS's nationally recognised brand. In addition, the two companies will also work closely on information and best-practice sharing in order to enhance future offerings and customer services.

Commenting on the agreement, Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Vodafone Partner Markets, commented: 

'Through this agreement with Entel PCS, Vodafone will be able to increase its brand recognition and extend its product range to one of the most developed markets in Latin America. 

'Chile is a leading market for mobile communications in the region, and Entel PCS is in a stronger position to improve the provision of enhanced voice and data products, including Entel PCS's current HSDPA internet access mobile network for customers eager for greater access to international products and services.'

Richard Büchi, President of Entel PCS added:

'We are very pleased to have agreed to this alliance with Vodafone which will enable Entel PCS and our customers to become part of a global network, whilst still maintaining the advantages of being a local operator.  

'Entel PCS has a deep knowledge of both its customers and the Chilean telecommunications market, which has allowed us to compete successfully with international operators. Our company leads the main financial, brand and service indicators, and this alliance with Vodafone will be a key feature in maintaining this leadership in an increasingly globalised world

''Now that we are partners of the world's largest international mobile network, we will complement standards, have a greater purchasing power and generate an important critical mass. Obviously, this is an advantage, for both our end customers and Entel PCS as a company'.

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Notes to Editors

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with over 252 million proportionate customers as of 31 December 2007. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 25 countries across five continents and a further 42 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com

About Entel PCS

With almost 6 million suscribers, Entel PCS leads the main financial, brand and service indicators in Chile and was awarded with the Frost & Sullivan prize for the Best Mobile Service Provider 2007 in Latin America.

Entel PCS is part of Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A., the largest telecommunication company in Chile, that provides mobile, data and IT, and internet services, local and long-distance telephony services (together with related services). Entel has also operations in Perú and is listed on the Chilean stock exchange (Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago) under the ticker symbol ENTEL. Its headquarters are located in Santiago, Chile.

About Vodafone Partner Markets

Vodafone Partner Markets are a series of strategic alliances across the globe between Vodafone Group and mobile network operators which Vodafone does not own. Instead, Vodafone has leveraged its global brand, purchasing power and international products and services to agree partnerships which enable Vodafone's partners to offer products and services under the Vodafone name. Partner Markets vary from full brand-franchise agreements, such as Vodafone Iceland, through to product branding, roaming and service resale agreements, such as Chile's Entel PCS. In addition to offering Vodafone products and services to partner companies' customers, Vodafone customers, when roaming on partner networks, are able to seamlessly access a range of services familiar to them from their home markets.

 

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