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 B, 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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For further information:
Vodafone Group
Investor Relations Media Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 664447 Tel: +44 (0) 1635 664444
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 Perd 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.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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