New CEO says Vodafone 3G Broadband is a key priority as customer base grows approximately 50% in the last quarter
Overwhelming demand for Ireland's leading prepay offer Free Texts or Free Weekends with over half a million customers registering
Dublin Ireland, July 19th 2007 - Vodafone Group PLC today announces key performance indicators for the quarter ended 30th June 2007. The following information relates to Vodafone Ireland's performance in the three month period to 30th June 2007 and should be read in conjunction with the Group's press release.
Summary KPIs
Vodafone Ireland remains Ireland’s number one mobile operator, with customer numbers increasing by approximately 10,000 to 2,187,000 despite intense competition in the last quarter.
Vodafone continued to lead the market with great value products and services in the last quarter with the launch of Vodafone’s prepay offer Free Texts or Free Weekends for Life*. In the first three months alone approximately 520,000 customers registered for this offer which is delivering significant value back to these customers.
Vodafone Ireland’s customers continued to enjoy the benefits of our services with total voice minutes in the quarter ended 30th June 2007 increasing by 8.0 per cent to 1,490 million from 1,380 million in the same quarter in 2006. The same period showed a drop of 6.9 per cent in average blended monthly ARPU to €45.40. At a time when Vodafone’s customers are increasing their use of mobile phones, they are paying lower prices than ever before.
Usage levels of Vodafone Ireland customers continued being well above the Vodafone European average. Vodafone Ireland customers each consumed on average 234 voice minutes and sent 120 messages per month in this quarter compared to a Vodafone European average of 146 minutes and 63 messages.
Commenting on the results, Charles Butterworth, Chief Executive, Vodafone Ireland said: “Vodafone customers’ expectations continue to grow – they want the best services at the best value. In response we have delivered high quality and innovative new products such as Free Texts or Free Weekends for Life. In addition, we delivered overall price reductions of approximately 15 per cent to our customers compared with a year ago. With every second person in Ireland now with Vodafone, we have ensured that Vodafone remains Ireland’s preferred mobile provider.
Independent research, commissioned by Vodafone, on means of internet connection amongst small to medium sized businesses highlights the growing demand for mobile broadband. "Demand for a flexible and reliable broadband service is driving uptake of Vodafone 3G Broadband, with sales increasing by 50% in this quarter to reach approximately 30,000 to date. Vodafone has the most extensive 3G Broadband network in Ireland and with all Vodafone 3G sites now 3G Broadband enabled, over 80 per cent of the population are covered. We are the market leader in 3G Broadband and my priority is to ensure that Vodafone remains the first choice of mobile broadband provider," said Charles Butterworth.
Recognition of the benefits and value of mobile working is also driving significant uptake in mobile email with Vodafone's mobile email customer base increasing by 136.7 per cent compared with the same quarter last year.
*On 2 April 2007, Vodafone launched FREE Texts or FREE Weekends for Life. Customers can send as many Vodafone texts as they like for free or choose not to pay another cent on Vodafone calls and texts at weekends.
For further information, please contact:
Christine Heffernan
Vodafone Ireland
Tel: 087 9913517
Paul McSharry
FD
Tel: 087 2406642
Aisling Garvey
FD
Tel: 087 416 9662