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.

RNS Verizon Comms earnings up Verizon Wireless described as the best asset in the wireless industry. Next few weeks to decide whether to hold or sell.

Yes - I used to be undecided - now I'm not so sure!

Verizon posts higher quarterly revenue

(Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc said on Tuesday its quarterly revenue rose 3.4 percent as it added more wireless subscribers than expected at its Verizon Wireless venture with Vodafone Group Plc.

Verizon reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.76 (1.07 pounds) per share, compared with a loss of $1.48 per share in the year-ago quarter, including pension-related charges in both quarters. Revenue rose to $31.1 billion.

It's what will happen to Verizon shares when UK institutions / shareholders sell them on mass that persuaded me.

Sterling/USD another consideration but I do reckon VOD are a well run company and will look to get back in after the deal goes go through.

My local broker (via their newsletter) reckons that Vodafone are more likely to be the predator than the prey, once this deal goes through, and are suggesting that VOD may be looking hard at either TalkTalk or BskyB as possible UK targets. They think that the current strength in the VOD sp is partly due to investors hoping for a bid, which they think is unlikely.

Maybe of interest :- Verizon: A Long-Term Investment Opportunity With An Initial Dividend Yield Of 4.44%

Closed my S/Bs today +31, +34.

Still hold the shares.......

skin do you prefer Vodaphone shares or Verizon or perhaps both?

Undecided as yet - I wanted to use the returned cash to buy NYSE:PJL (currently yielding @7.25%), but my provider won't play with me.

Halifax - here is a description of NYSE:PJL

skin tks interesting but tax position to be clarified.

Not exactly new - Is Vodafone Group plc Planning A Takeover Of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc?

Statement re Vodafone Group Plc

AT&T Inc. ("AT&T") notes the recent speculation regarding a potential transaction involving Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone").

At the request of the UK Takeover Panel, AT&T confirms that it does not intend to make an offer for Vodafone. Accordingly, AT&T is bound by the restrictions under Rule 2.8 of the UK Takeover Code (the "Code").

For the purposes of Rule 2.8 of the Code, AT&T reserves the right to announce or participate in an offer or possible offer for Vodafone and/or to take any other action which would otherwise be restricted under Rule 2.8 of the Code within 6 months after the date of this announcement in the circumstances described in note 2 to Rule 2.8 of the Code.

Oops - Credit Suisse Outperform 216.28 232.55 245.00 245.00 Reiterates

HSBC Overweight 223.60 270.00 270.00 Retains

Deutsche Bank Buy 223.60 258.00 258.00 Reiterates

when does VOD go ex "special div"?

==========

no matter; have just bought as they must surely be a good income share if nothing else in the long(er) term, and after yesterday's fall-out, significantly cheaper

Have a look at the 2nd link in post 595 above.

thanks skinny, but i'm advised that with CFDs i will automatically get new-VOD, which is what i would have wanted anyway

The RNS just out - Results of Shareholder Meetings

Credit Suisse Outperform 227.70 223.30 245.00 - Reiterates

Deutsche Bank Buy 227.70 223.30 258.00 258.00 Reiterates

VODAFONE INDIA ACQUIRES SPECTRUM FOR £1.9bn TO ENHANCE MOBILE SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS

Vodafone India has been awarded spectrum licences in 11 telecom circles in the Indian government's 900 MHz and 1800 MHZ spectrum auction, enabling the company to provide customers with enhanced mobile voice and data services across the country.

Vodafone India acquired a total of 23MHz in the 900MHz band in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and 49MHZ in the 1800MHz band in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, UP East, Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. Vodafone's investment totals INR19,645 crores (£1.9bn1) of which INR 5,600 crores (£540million1) is payable in financial year 2013/2014 with the remainder payable in instalments starting in 2017.

Vodafone India has established a strong platform for 4G data services by buying 1800MHz spectrum in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Karnataka and Kerala, which account for more than 50% of data revenues and are expected to drive the adoption of 4G as was the case after the introduction of 3G services in 2010. Vodafone India also maintained its overall holdings of 900 MHz spectrum in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, and purchased 1800 MHz spectrum in four circles where its licences are due for extension in 2015.

Vodafone India has over 160 million customers, with the number of mobile internet users increasing 38% to 45.7 million in its most recent quarter. Data usage also continues to grow strongly with 3G usage now averaging in excess of 700MB per month. This spectrum and the continued investment in networks will enable Vodafone India to build on its success in delivering superior mobile services to its customers throughout India.

- ends -