Vodafone announces it has signed a Partner Network Agreement with Islandssimi hf, formerly the merged companies Islandssimi and Tal, to introduce Vodafone's global mobile services into Iceland.
Islandssimi hf is a leading private telecommunications operator in Iceland, with almost 85,000 mobile customers. Under the agreement, Islandssimi hf (to be renamed in the near future to Og fjarskipti) will completely replace its existing brands with a dual Og-Vodafone brand and will co-operate with Vodafone in the development and marketing of international mobile services.
During the second half of 2003, the newly branded Og-Vodafone will start to introduce Vodafone global mobile services, namely Vodafone Eurocall, Assisted Roaming, Virtual Home Environment, Pre-paid Roaming, Pre-paid Roaming Top Ups and GPRS Roaming.
As a Vodafone Partner Network, Og fjarskipti will offer Vodafone customers seamless access to its international mobile services while travelling in Iceland. The re-branding of Islandssimi into Og- Vodafone will ensure Vodafone customers identify Og-Vodafone as a trusted Vodafone partner, increasing the recognition of the Vodafone brand in the Nordic region. Og-Vodafone customers will enjoy the benefits of Vodafone's roaming services across its global footprint.
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 and Og fjarskipti will be an ideal partner for the further development of mobile services in the Nordic region. Vodafone is already established in the region through its operator Vodafone Sweden, as well as Partner Network Agreements with TDC in Denmark and Radiolinja in Finland, and this new agreement will increase our Nordic footprint.
"Having now signed Partner Network Agreements with eight operators within just sixteen months, this latest co-operation agreement, including the launch of a Vodafone dual-brand in Iceland, clearly demonstrates the continuing success of Vodafone's Partner Network strategy and the attractiveness of Vodafone's global brand and services. Building on the success of our current agreements, Vodafone will continue to develop the Partner Network strategy, so our customers and our partners' customers can use Vodafone services in an increasing number of countries".
Following today's announcement, Vodafone global services, supported by its global brand communication, will be available in eight Partner Network countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Kuwait and Slovenia, in addition to its subsidiary and associate markets.
