Telefonica and Vodafone are coming together to improve the provision of transmission services. Agreements are being made to aid the roll out of their respective networks.
The goal is to enhance service quality for customers in the longer term. As two of the world’s largest telecommunications operators, a wide-ranging strategic programme to share mobile network assets across selected European operations was announced today. Officially stating that “The programme is expected to deliver significant business benefits in the process, including the generation of cost savings amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds for both companies over the next 10 years.”
The companies are set to share network infrastructure in Germany, Spain, Ireland and the UK with detailed discussions ongoing in the Czech Republic. Where:
- Germany: Both companies to share existing 2G and 3G sites. Shared masts can also be used for microwave backhaul.
- Ireland: Both companies to open all network sites for sharing by the other party. New build will also be conducted jointly where roll-out plans are aligned.
- Spain: Both companies to extend existing site share agreement from 2007, which includes the shared usage of power, cabinets and mast. To date 2,200 sites are shared under this agreement. During 2009 and 2010 additional sites will be included.
- UK: Both companies to focus on joint build of new sites and consolidation of existing 2G and 3G sites.
As stated through a press release, the infrastructure sharing initiatives are broadly expected to enable both companies to:
- Offer enhanced quality of service levels within the network footprint to improve customers’ mobile experience as well as support the delivery of services such as mobile broadband to a greater number of customers across a wider coverage area
- Reduce the environmental impact of the network by lowering the number of sites required by each company
- Reduce network operating costs
- Continue to manage their traffic independently
- Jointly build new sites where opportunities exist
[via Telefonica]
