LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The telecoms regulator on Thursday fined the Greek unit of UK mobile giant Vodafone 19.1 mln eur for violating network regulations in a wire-tapping scandal that rocked the country last year.

The fine is the second handed to Vodafone Hellas over the case after a 76 mln eur penalty levelled by Greece's communication privacy watchdog last December.

Some 100 Vodafone cellphones in February 2006 were found to have been compromised by an illicit network that tapped sets used by Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis, his wife and several ministers from June 2004 to March 2005.

The tapping used software slipped into Vodafone's network by unknown perpetrators to illegally activate an Ericsson-made module permitting call interception.

On Thursday, the national telecommunications regulator EETT accused Vodafone of breaching regulations on the protection of telecommunications privacy, network maintenance and quality, and consumer protection.

The company rejected last December's fine as 'illegal, unfair and baseless.'

A Greek parliament committee collecting evidence on the case last November noted the involvement of three employees of telecoms giants Ericsson Hellas and Vodafone Greece, identified only by their initials.

'The whole system could not operate without Ericsson know-how and without access from within (Vodafone),' the report said.

The Greek branch of Swedish telecom equipment giant Ericsson has also been fined 7.36 mln eur over the case.

The parliamentary committee did not rule out the involvement of other people operating outside Greece.

The Greek justice department has opened an investigation into the case but nobody has yet been charged.

Days before the affair came to light, a senior Vodafone expert was found hanged inside his home.

The death of Costas Tsalikidis, manager of Vodafone Greece's network planning section, was linked to the case and his family suspects he was murdered.

Vodafone poised to net £8bn from Verizon Wireless venture

Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao is expected to point to a potential $13 billion (£8.2 billion) of future gains from its US joint venture Verizon Wireless when he unveils increased full-year profits from the mobile phone giant this week.
Verizon Wireless, a joint venture with US firm Verizon Communications in which Vodafone has a 45 per cent stake, could return a dividend of up to $13 billion in the financial year ahead, analysts estimate.


Vodafone’s £1bn C&WW bid may be diluted

Vodafone could be forced to share Cable & Wireless Worldwide (C&WW) with the beleaguered telecoms company’s biggest shareholder, Orbis, in the face of considerable shareholder unrest over its £1bn bid to buy the company outright


Vodafone weathers European storm

Booming demand for mobile internet access in the UK and strong growth in emerging markets will help Vodafone weather the financial storm in southern Europe on Tuesday.
The mobile phone giant's shares approached their pre-financial crisis peaks in early 2012 but have weakened in recent months amid fears that its stellar growth is beginning to slow.

The Newbury-based firm's performance has been hit by recessions in Spain and Italy while the fees it can charge for connecting mobile calls are being reduced in markets such as the UK. These effects are offsetting gains from its rapid growth in India and Turkey, and from growing demand for data as people use smartphones to get online.
Its last update disappointed investors after its European business suffered a 1.7% underlying revenue decline in the final quarter of 2011, helping slow the group's growth for the third quarter in a row.

But Will Draper, an analyst at Espirito Santo, thinks Vodafone will regain momentum in the three months to the end of March as it increases market share in mobile data. He also thinks the decline in its southern European markets will bottom out.

Final Results.

Robust financial performance in a difficult environment

· Group revenue up 1.2% to £46.4 billion; full year organic service revenue growth +1.5%*; Q4 +2.3%*

· EBITDA down 1.3% at £14.5 billion; EBITDA margin 31.2%, down 0.8 percentage points (0.6 percentage points before restructuring costs)

· Verizon Wireless service revenue up 7.3%*; our share of profits up 9.3%* to £4.9 billion

· Adjusted operating profit at £11.5 billion, up 2.5%* on an organic basis

· Gain on disposal of investments of £3.5 billion (Note 1) and impairment charges of £4.0 billion

· Free cash flow £6.1 billion after capex of £6.4 billion

· Final dividend per share of 6.47 pence, giving total dividends per share for the year of 13.52 pence (including 4.0 pence special dividend), up +51.9%

now think about CW as a target for VOD's cash

It has been for months.

indeed, but now VOD have their Verizon dosh, it's possible they may start moving slowly

31 May 2012


VODAFONE LAUNCHES BREAKTHROUGH MASS-MARKET SMARTPHONE

Smart II a step-change in delivering the mobile internet to value-focused consumers worldwide


31 May, 2012. Vodafone today announced the launch of the Smart II, a breakthrough smartphone for the mass market, which offers an unprecedented combination of high performance and low cost in a package attractive to the large majority of consumers currently missing out on the smartphone revolution.

The Vodafone Smart II has twice the processing power of the most expensive and sought-after smartphones available just three years ago, but at a fraction of the price. It offers new smartphone users a high-end mobile internet experience and an uncompromised level of functionality, including:

· a highly responsive HVGA capacitive touchscreen with 64 million colours;

· brand new Broadcom 21552 with 832MHz processor and 512MB of RAM - the computing power of high-end smartphones 3 years ago;

· high-speed 3G HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity;

· 3.2 megapixel camera with white LED flash; and

· the latest Assisted GPS (AGPS) technology for rapid and accurate mapping and navigation functions.


The Smart II is also highly customisable, with interchangeable back plates and rims in 16 colour variations.*

Vodafone has designed the Smart II to introduce non-smartphone consumers to a new world of content and services that will save them time, money and help them manage their daily lives, including:

· high-speed mobile internet browsing, including voice-activated Google Search™;

· access to the latest news, entertainment and transport apps for information on the move;

· emails, contacts and calendars;

· social networking services such as Facebook™ and Twitter™;

· money-saving services such as the Vouchercloud, a location-based shopping discount voucher app; and

· dedicated Vodafone apps which make it simple for customers to track their spending and download the best new apps and music.


Patrick Chomet, Group Terminals Director said: "The Smart II is one of the most important devices we have ever introduced. It delivers a level of performance, functionality and quality that is traditionally the preserve of high-end smartphones but at an exceptionally affordable price. We believe the Smart II could represent a tipping point in the evolution of the market, bringing a new wave of consumers to the supermobile world for the first time."

The Smart II will be available across Vodafone markets and partner markets this summer and will be priced under €99, launching first in the UK priced at £70.

- ends -

DISCUSSIONS WITH TELSTRA

Vodafone has entered into discussions with Telstra to explore a potential acquisition of Telstra's New Zealand subsidiary, TelstraClear. Discussions are continuing and there is no certainty as to whether an agreement will be reached. A further announcement will be made in due course, if appropriate.

- ends -

TELEFÓNICA UK AND VODAFONE UK TO STRENGTHEN THEIR NETWORK COLLABORATION

· Companies to pool basic network infrastructure to create one national grid of 18,500 sites

· Both companies will be running independent spectrum and competing services

· Both companies pledge to close the digital divide between rural and urban areas targeting 98% indoor population coverage across 2G and 3G by 2015

· Agreement will lay the foundations for two competing 4G networks to deliver the capability for a nationwide 4G service faster than could be achieved independently

Questor share tip: dial into Vodafone for good reception

Last weeks dividend virtually covered.

3 month high 176.65.

Toying with 180 today - 3 month high is 179.80 (earlier).

28 June 2012

VODAFONE GROUP ESTABLISHES NORTHERN & CENTRAL EUROPE AND SOUTHERN EUROPE REGIONS

PHILIPP HUMM AND PAOLO BERTOLUZZO APPOINTED TO REGIONAL CEO ROLES

Vodafone Group today announced the establishment of two new operating regions, Northern & Central Europe and Southern Europe, together with the appointment of Philipp Humm as Chief Executive, Northern & Central Europe and Paolo Bertoluzzo as Chief Executive, Southern Europe.

The Northern & Central Europe region comprises:

-- Germany;
-- the UK;
-- the Netherlands;
-- Turkey;
-- Ireland;
-- Hungary;
-- the Czech Republic; and
-- Romania.
Philipp Humm has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive for the new region, effective 1 October 2012. He joins Vodafone Group from T-Mobile USA, where he has served as President and CEO since 2010. He was previously the Chief Regional Officer, Europe and a member of the Executive Committee of T-Mobile International and CEO and Chief Sales Officer for T-Mobile Germany. A former Managing Director and European Vice President of Amazon Germany and France, Philipp Humm began his career at Procter & Gamble and has previously worked for McKinsey and the German grocery retailer Tengelmann.

Philipp Humm said: "Vodafone is a powerful brand with a strong focus on the customer coupled with a clear strategy for growth. I look forward to joining the team."

The Southern Europe region comprises:

-- Italy;
-- Spain;
-- Portugal;
-- Greece;
-- Albania; and
-- Malta.
Paolo Bertoluzzo has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive for the new region, effective 1 August 2012. He will also continue in his role as Chief Executive of Vodafone Italy. Paolo Bertoluzzo joined Vodafone in 1999 and was appointed Chief Executive of Vodafone Italy in 2008. Under his tenure, Vodafone Italy has achieved market share leadership in both service revenue and EBITDA as well as leadership in Net Promoter Score across all market segments.

Paolo Bertoluzzo said: "I welcome the opportunity to lead such an important part of Vodafone Group's global portfolio through this challenging period."

Both Philipp Humm and Paolo Bertoluzzo will join the Vodafone Group Executive Committee once their respective appointments take effect.

Vodafone Group Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said: "Our new regional structure will underpin our strategy focused on meeting our customers' long-term needs, and Paolo and Philipp will be strong additions to the Vodafone Group Executive Committee."

- ends -

New 12 month high @184.1p @184.80p

VODAFONE TO ACQUIRE TELSTRACLEAR IN NEW ZEALAND.

Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone Group") today announces that Vodafone New Zealand has entered into an agreement to acquire TelstraClear Limited ("TelstraClear"), the New Zealand business of Telstra Corporation, for a cash consideration of NZ$840 million (£430 million1).

Vodafone New Zealand is the country's largest mobile operator with more than 2.4 million customers. TelstraClear is the second largest fixed operator in New Zealand with extensive fixed network assets and capabilities. Its customer base includes government and large corporations, small and medium enterprises as well as consumers.

Further re Recommended Cash Offer for CWW

In the scheme document dated 21 May 2012 (the "Scheme Document") relating to the scheme of arrangement implementing the Offer, it was stated that Vodafone had agreed to acquire one CWW Share prior to the Scheme Record Time.

CWW and Vodafone announce that, on 17 July 2012, CWW issued and allotted one CWW Share to Vodafone at a price of 38 pence. This means that Vodafone will be a member of CWW at the Scheme Record Time and accordingly there will be no requirement under section 593 of the Companies Act 2006 for an independent valuation of the new shares in CWW to be issued to Vodafone under the Scheme.

Defined terms used but not defined in this announcement have the meanings set out in the Scheme Document.

Closed at a new 12 month high 185.20p

Last time it was here was early 2008.

Interim Management Statement

. Group service revenue increased 0.6%(*); excluding mobile termination rate ('MTR') cuts growth was 2.3%(*)

. Continued strong service revenue growth in emerging markets: Vodacom 5.7%(*), India 16.2%(*) and Turkey 18.7%(*)

. Mixed trends in Europe: service revenue growth strong in Germany at 4.2%(*); UK - 0.8%(*) due to increased competition and a weaker economy; conditions in Italy (-7.7%(*)) and Spain (-10.0%(*)) remain challenging

. Verizon Wireless ('VZW') service revenue grew 8.2%(*) driven by data

. Group data revenue grew 17.1%(*) reflecting an increase in Europe smartphone penetration to 28.7%

. £0.9 billion of free cash flow after capital investment of £1.1 billion

. Good progress in strengthening our business: proposed acquisitions of Cable & Wireless Worldwide and TelstraClear; network sharing agreements in five markets

. Net debt reduced to £22.7 billion after receipt of final SoftBank proceeds (£1.5 billion) and £0.8 billion of share buybacks (£6.8 billion share buyback programmes almost complete)

. Full year outlook confirmed

..Questor share tip: Call up Vodafone in troubled times

By Garry White | Telegraph – 3 hours ago


VOD.L 180.00 -3.05

......
Vodafone (LSE: VOD.L - news) has been hit by its customer tightening their belts, but the shares are still attractive. Questor says buy Vodafone shares.

Vodafone 180p Questor says: Buy

Friday's first-quarter figures from Vodafone were weak, but the mobile-phone giant is still confident of meeting full-year consensus forecasts.

Revenue growth was representative of the economic backdrop, so is not too much of a surprise.

Revenue in Spain was down 10pc, but emerging markets saw good growth, with Indian revenues up 16.2pc and Turkey up 18.7pc.

However, total revenue fell 7.7pc year-on-year to £10.8bn after disposals. Revenue on a like-for-like basis edged 0.6pc higher below a consensus forecast of 0.8pc.

Vodafone’s customers are tightening their belts. They are making fewer calls and choosing call plans more carefully. This spooked some investors. In the first 10 minutes of trade on Friday, volumes were 10pc that of the group’s three-month daily average due to fears that a slowdown could crimp the group’s cash-generating ability.

The dividend is the reason to own the shares, so this is important. Dividend cover, as compiled by data group Morningstar (NasdaqGS: MORN - news) , is forecast to fall from 2.61 in 2010 to 1.24 in 2013 and 1.22 in 2014.

On Thursday, Fran Shammo, Verizon’s chief financial officer, said that the board of the Verizon Wireless joint venture with Vodafone does not plan to discuss a dividend payment at its next quarterly board meeting.

Despite the tough economic backdrop, Vodafone is still generating significant amounts of cash and cost-cutting plans will be accelerated.

With the shares yielding a prospective 7.4pc rising to 7.7pc and given the group’s track record during the depths of the credit crunch, Questor is relatively unconcerned.

A buy rating is maintained.

..