Telefónica and Vodafone, two of the world’s largest telecommunications operators, today announce a wide-ranging strategic programme to share mobile network assets across selected European operations.
As part of the collaboration, Telefónica and Vodafone are actively exploring opportunities to cooperate in related areas such as the provision of transmission services.
Telefónica and Vodafone will use the agreements to aid the roll out of their respective networks, enhancing service quality for customers in the longer term. The agreements will also reduce the environmental impact of both companies’ roll out activities, due to the consolidation of existing sites and joint build of new sites.
The programme is expected to deliver significant business benefits in the process, including the generation of cost savings amounting to hundreds of millions of euros for both companies over the next 10 years.
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
If you were wondering about specific countries:
- 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.
So there you go, the rumours got confirmed – and the two “big boys” are hooking up to utilise shared resources. Personally I think this leaves some other operators in a bit of a pickle, since between them, O2 and Vodafone have some awesome amount of coverage, in most of the countries listed above. I like the eco-side too – site-sharing means less power used, and that’s good for everyones’ bottom lines.
[Via: O2 Media Centre]