Latest news 2010
2010 Latest news
Reaches to Ten Banks by End of 2010 via "Fawry": Vodafone Serves its Customers Via Egyptian Banks (Jan 24th 2010 )
Cairo in 24th of January 2010: Vodafone and "Fawry"
concluded operation tests of electronic payment and e-topUp via bank accounts in Banque Misr, the Bank of Alexandria, Banque du Caire and the National Bank of Egypt. It began since commencement of the new year in providing the service via 20 ATMs that will reach 700 next month.
Under the Slogan "Do Something… Change Their Lives" (March 9th 2010)
Vodafone Egypt Foundation for Social Development Launches Initiative of "Grant for Voluntary Work"
- Vodafone Egypt Foundation for Social Development launched the "World of Difference" initiative under the slogan "Do Something... Change Their Lives."
- This is as part of a series of leading initiatives to support developmental efforts in Egypt via providing a number of volunteers with the opportunity to be committed for twelve months, in order to participate in development and join one of the NGOs taking part in the initiative.
For more information please contact us through our public relations e-mail: public.relations@vodafone.com
NBA AND SARMADY ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER (April 28, 2010)
ARABIC LANGUAGE NBA WEBSITE
NBA.com/Arabic will be the Definitive Destination for NBA fans in Middle East and North Africa with Daily Video Highlights, Breaking News, and Local Editorial Content --
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Sarmady, Vodafone Egypt’s digital arm, announced today the launch of NBA.com/arabic, the first-ever Arabic language NBA website for basketball fans in the Middle East and North Africa.
The new site, which will be the ultimate online destination for fans to experience the NBA in Arabic, will feature daily video highlights and top plays to catch all the exciting moments throughout the season. Additionally, NBA.com/arabic will include the latest news from around the league, daily game results, box scores, local editorial content and team and player information pages, all in Arabic for the first time.
To create a highly qualified talent pool: (June 20th 2010)
Vodafone and ITIDA launch the Mobile Applications Academy
Cairo, June 20th 2010: Vodafone Egypt and the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) singed a Partnership Agreement to launch an Initiative aiming at identifying potential innovations in Mobile Technologies and Applications. The Initiative launched under the name "Mobile Apps Academy"; is a program seeking to mold innovative qualified resources into excellent human resource, which can understand and meet the needs of the industry and thereby fill the gap between the demand and supply of well-trained calibers.
The Initiative is part of the cooperative efforts of Vodafone Egypt and ITIDA towards developing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, and supporting innovation and creativity in the local market. The Program aims at highlighting Egypt as a regional hub of next-generation Mobile communication technologies. It supports the development of a highly ambitious pool of graduates and entrepreneurs that would enable them to introduce competitive innovative ICT products into the marketplace; leading to a considerable boost to our national GDP.
Dr Hazem Abdel-Azim, ITIDA's CEO affirmed that the Partnership with Vodafone Egypt reflects the Agency's efforts to foster the Information Technology industry in general and the distinguished cadres in particular. A number of programs have been set-up targeting different categories among which are Programs Developers.
"Recognizing the viable role of the Private Sector in boosting the national industry, ITIDA adheres to a Public-Private Partnership model", Hazem added. "Such Partnerships with the leading industry corporations, pave the way for the skilled and talented people to acquire practical experience, and contribute to the Information Technology industry which currently witnesses a major surge and is becoming one of the most developed sectors in the region".
Engineer Hatem Dowidar, Vodafone Egypt CEO, commented, "Vodafone Egypt is proud to support a broad range of Initiatives in line with our commitment towards human resource capacity-building, which is the cornerstone of the industry."
Dowidar added that Egypt is well equipped with talent and creative ideas, which need to be adequately nurtured and encouraged by the various communications and information technology corporations.
He also highlighted that the ITIDA-Vodafone Initiative caters for Program & Internet Applications Developers from students and graduates, who will receive a professional training on Mobile application development. Furthermore, the Mobile Apps Academy will organize a competition with prizes ranging from L.E 1000 to L.E 10,000.
The Mobile Apps Academy, organized by ITIDA and Vodafone, is the right program for young entrepreneurs who want to make it into the world of Mobile applications.
Interested applicants should submit their applications on line, no later than July 25, 2010, accompanied with their CVs and Mobile applications proposals. Sarmady, an affiliate of Vodafone Egypt, is the designer and host of the applications portal, as well as the technical support arm of the program.
Vodafone Egypt in collaboration with ITIDA, will assess the candidates and their mobile applications proposals for acceptance into the program, according to the technical skill and relevance of the idea. The program is designed to serve 500 candidates in the first year.
Members of the Mobile Apps Academy will have access to the state-of-the-art facility in Smart Village provided by ITIDA Technology Incubation Program, covering 800 m2, and equipped with 100 PCs, high-speed internet connection, and other office equipment. In addition to various Mobile applications seminars and workshops organized by Vodafone, Sarmady and IT specialists, business startup advice, and networking events.
Successful Mobile applications will be selected according to the best innovative, commercially viable and relevant applications to the Middle East market, as candidates will be invited to publish their applications on a number of commercial apps stores.
Moreover, Successful apps will receive cash rewards at the end of the program; in addition, a sum of USD 750,000 will be allocated to support the first three successful projects.
To enroll in the Mobile Apps Academy, applicants should be no more than 33 years old, cannot be an owner or partner in any company, cannot be an employee of ITIDA or their relatives, and cannot be an employee of any mobile operator.
Registration on the website: www.mobileappsacademy.com
Vodafone Egypt Launches LTE Technology (24 June 2010)
For the First Time in Egypt and the Middle East
Vodafone Egypt Launches LTE Technology
Mohamed Henna: The Introduction of LTE Technology confirms Vodafone’s Leadership in Egypt and the Region
Considered to be the Natural Development for Broadband Networks
Cairo in 24 June 2010: In an unprecedented move, Vodafone Egypt has started the trial operation of LTE technology, which is the fourth generation of mobile technology and offers advanced features that can cope with the technological revolution. With this move, Vodafone Egypt has maintained its leadership in the market and its ability to provide the latest technology for its clients in Egypt.
CTO at Vodafone Egypt, Mohamed Henna announced that the launch of LTE technology confirms Vodafone’s leading role in the region. The trial operation of LTE technology initiated from the company’s keenness to keep up with the latest technology and to develop its network in order to be able to meet client needs and support the new systems that emerge in the world of mobile phones.
Vodafone has been preparing for this for more than two years through the use of single RAN technology, which provides the infrastructure for the fourth generation services without the need to construct new base stations.
Henna explained that LTE technology offers download speeds of up to 150 megabytes per second and upload speeds of 50 megabytes per second. The new technology offers a better experience for Vodafone clients and supports all new and old network operation systems. The experiment is part of Vodafone Group’s efforts to deploy the new LTE technology in Spain, Italy, the UK and Germany; where the company has gained a license making it the first operator to use the new technology. The results of the technical experiments proved that the trial operation was very successful and reached download speeds of 100 megabytes per second and upload speeds of 47 megabytes.
LTE technology allows operators to offer a multitude of fast and advanced services efficiently. LTE offers users of wireless broadband technology the ability to transfer data at very high speeds. It offers high speeds in various services including internet, mobile TV, video, internet games, video games, and the mobile office. The new technology will pave the way for LTE Advanced technology, which offers download speeds of 1 gigabyte per second.
LTE technology is the natural development for broadband mobile networks, and is essential in creating sustainable cities that use little energy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. This will have a positive effect on the environment and will help reduce global warming.
Vodafone Egypt renews its Partnership with the British University in Egypt, Cairo (29 June 2010 )
Vodafone Egypt has announced the renewal of its partnership agreement with the British University in Egypt (BUE) as part of its continuous efforts to develop the educational system in Egypt. Vodafone will sponsor some of the educational curriculum for the university in the fields of, Telecom Engineering, Computing, and Information Technology. Through the partnership, Vodafone aims to support the human caliber by designing advanced practical-training programs during their studies in order to ensure that graduates are qualified and ready to fulfill market needs. Vodafone also provide the students with new research topics for their graduation projects and allows the students of the BUE to train at Vodafone centers during the summer in order to better qualify them and prepare them for the business market.
In the 9th Egyptian Engineering Day Vodafone Egypt wins "Best Work-Life Balance Environment" Award Hatem Dowidar: We provide a balanced environment that promotes creativity and innovation for the benefit of our customers (Cairo, August 31st, 2010)
Vodafone Egypt won the "Best Work-Life Balance Environment" award presented by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer (IEEE) Women in Engineering Affinity Group (WIE) in Egypt, in the competition held under the Auspices of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Darwish, Minister of State for Administrative Development.
With six prominent international and local companies participating in the competition, Vodafone Egypt swept away its rivals by passing all the tests and evaluations laid down by IEEE. On the Egyptian Engineering Day (EED), held at the International Conference Hall in Smart Village in early August 2010, Her Excellency Dr. Mosheera Khattab delivered the "Best Work-Life Balance Environment" award to Vodafone.
"This award is a testament to the leading role assumed by Vodafone in developing its human resources through fostering a set of values and ideals in the minds of our employees, says CEO Vodafone Egypt Mr. Hatem Dowidar, "and through equipping them with the best working conditions, generous benefits, and every opportunity for career advancement within the company. Accordingly, we maintain a world-reputed distinctive standard of Vodafone's employees".
The aim of the competition is to urge companies to focus their attention on employees' rights and on providing, the necessary services enabling them to balance between their social roles and their careers. Targeting, this year, the companies in the field of Information Technology, the competition also focuses on providing a woman-friendly work environment.
Dalia El Gezairy, Director of Human Resources Vodafone Egypt, commented on the award, "To be the best place to work in is a living proof that Vodafone is on the right track with regards to dealing with human resources. We believe in the importance of workplace where people work to their strengths, innovate, be creative and fulfill their potential."
She added that Vodafone, the world's largest mobile telecommunications company, gives high priority to investing in human resources development by creating the healthy work environment that supports true peak performance serving more than 26 Million Vodafone customers throughout Egypt.
It's worth mentioning that the competition has been promoted among companies and non governmental organizations in Egypt to compete in presenting the best women-friendly work environment in the fields of science and technology. This is in line with Egypt Women in Engineering Affinity Group mission, which focuses on empowering women in pursuing successful careers while preserving their social roles.
-The End-
For Further information, please contact:
Riham Zahra Gihan Mahmoud
Public Relations Manager Public Relations Senior Executive
Vodafone Egypt Vodafone Egypt
Riham.zahra@vodafone.com Jihan.mahmoud@vodafone.com
Nouran Tamer Mohamed Gad El Hak
PR Executive Editor PR
Editor PR mohamed.gadelhak@editorpr.com
Tel.: 33381069 Ext. (153)
Vodafone soars to the top as the most valuable telecom brand worldwide Brand value contributes 16% of company's total value according to Brand Finance (Cairo September 1st, 2010)
Telecommunications giant, Vodafone International has emerged as the most valuable brand in UK beating 49 British companies according to this year global ranking compiled by Brand Finance 500.
As an indication of Vodafone's distinctive performance in 40 countries around the world, the world's leading independent brand valuation consultancy "Brand Finance 500" has calculated that the brand value contributes 16% of company's total value.
Brand valuation calculated by Brand Finance is using a benchmark system that looks at strength, risk and potential of a brand as well as the firm's financial strength.
"To be ranked the first of a list of 50 companies is an honor, and I congratulate all at Vodafone International Group for their contribution in advancing our position to the top", said Mr. Hatem Dowidar, CEO of Vodafone Egypt. "Coming from such a highly credible and esteemed firm, we take pride in gaining this achievement which will join an extensive list of Vodafone's previous successes worldwide".
Mr. Dowidar added that to be named the most valuable brand is a true indication that Vodafone is on track towards further advancement and growth. Moreover, it emphasizes increased customer loyalty and confidence especially that our primary concern is to provide them with the best and cutting-edge Telecom technologies worldwide.
"Vodafone's achievements are constantly recognized globally, Mr.Dowidar highlighted."This year, Vodafone has received the best World Corporate Social Responsibility and Development Sustainability Award, as well as Best Work Environment Award."
Mr. Khaled Hegazy, Director of External Affairs of Vodafone Egypt, said that Vodafone, in Brand valuation this year, rose from second place to first overtaking HSBC, while Tessco moved up to number 3 overtaking Orange, which slipped to No.4.
"The Telecom sector is witnessing a significant growth this year", Mr. Hegazy highlighted. "Three Telecom companies; Vodafone, Orange and BT, have climbed in the top 10 World's Most Valuable Mobile Telecom Brands
Mr. Hegazy clarified that this position creates a strong catalyst for exerting determined efforts to forge ahead. Committed to customer satisfaction, Vodafone will resume its endeavor of anticipating and fulfilling the needs of its loyal customers that amount to 26 Millions throughout the country.
-The End-
For further information, please contact:
Riham Zahra Gihan Mahmoud
Public Relations Manager Public Relations Senior Executive
Vodafone Egypt Vodafone Egypt
Riham.zahra@vodafone.com Jihan.mahmoud@vodafone.com
Nouran Tamer Mohamed Gad El-Haq
PR Executive Editor PR
Editor PR mohamed.gadelhak@editorpr.com
Tel: 33381069, Ext. (153)
Continuing its leadership in the Egyptian Telecom market (Cairo in September 16th , 2010)
Vodafone Egypt launches In-Flight Roaming Service
on 100 aircrafts travelling to more than 200 countries
In its relentless effort to continuously offer its customers unprecedented services, Vodafone Egypt launched the In-Flight Roaming Service aboard close to 100 aircraft. The service is among others available aboard Egypt Air where it is provided in partnership with OnAir, Vodafone customers can make and receive calls, send and receive SMS, and access the internet on the aircraft during flight as they would on the ground. The service is safe and does not affect the navigation instruments.
Vodafone Egypt has partnered with the globally renowned In-Flight Mobile phone services providers; the first is "AeroMobile" operating on Emirates and Malaysia Airlines. Their services are currently available on 79 aircraft travelling to over 200 destinations around the world, including the popular Cairo to Dubai route.
The AeroMobile service is also launching later in the year with Air New Zealand and V Australia. In 2011 the service will also be available onboard Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific Airways
The second company OnAir is the world's only provider of both GSM services and WiFi based internet WiFi offering voice, e-mail, text services and Internet access services on Egypt Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Oman Air and Qatar Airways, in addition to Wataniya (Kuwait) Airways, TAP Portugal and British Airways. OnAir is also due to launch its services on Emirates, Air Asia, Libyan Airlines, and TAM
Hany Fahmy, Enterprise Business Unit Director, Vodafone Egypt said, "thanks to the rapid Egyptian economic growth, Vodafone is constantly challenged to provide integrated and added-value services to its customers to meet their total communications needs. This innovative service allows our customer to stay connected to their loved ones and business partners even at 35,000 feet high".
He continued, "Our commitment is unwavering, we will continue the efforts to maintain our leading position in the Egyptian telecommunications industry and create value by building a prosperous and sustainable business".
Shady Naeem, HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL & ROAMING, said that the fact that 7000 Vodafone customers have benefited from the In-Fight Roaming last year, highlights the significance of this sought-after service.
He added, we are offering the In-Flight roaming service aboard:
· The full fleet of Wataniya Airways operating flights from/to Kuwait, and between Dubai, Amman, Damascus, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, Beirut, Bahrain, Alexandria, and Vienna. The service is also currently operational on 2 aircraft of Royal Jordanian Airlines 2 aircrafts operating flights between Jordan and to/from Europe"
· 2 aircraft of British Airways operating flights between London and New York
· 6 aircraft of Qatar Airways operating flights between Qatar and to/from Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. This number is planned to reach 15 aircraft by the end of this year
· 6 aircraft of Oman Air operating flights between Muscat and to/from Europe, Middle East and Asia
· 2 aircraft of Saudi Arabian Airlines operating flights between Saudi Arabia and to/from Europe and the Middle East. This number is planned to reach 6 aircraft by the end of this year;
· 1 aircraft of Egypt Air.
Vodafone and OnAir expect to offer In-Flight Mobile phone services during this year on other airlines, including Libyan Airlines, AirAsia Malaysia, Airblue Pakistan, and TAM Brazilian Airlines.
Voice, SMS, and GPRS are available to passengers through the service.
Vodafone Dealers’ Event (16th September 2010)
More than 500 Vodafone agents and distributors from all Egyptian governorates participated in the annual meeting that the company organized at a major Cairo hotel to highlight past successes and build on them to reach further success. Representatives of Vodafone’s four official agents, Delta, MTI, First and Nile Engineering also attended the celebration.
CEO of Vodafone Egypt, Hatem Dowidar asserted that all of the company’s employees were keen to attend the celebration that represents a vital and major step in relations between the company and all those who deal with it, including agents and distributors of its diverse products such as lines and recharge cards.
Dowidar explained that the meeting strengthens the direct cooperation between company officials, all its employees, and all those who deal with the company. Everyone works together to increase agents’ and distributors’ sales, which in turn increases the company’s revenues; especially with the fierce competition in attracting new subscribers. Despite such fierce competition, Vodafone remains at the forefront due to the efforts of its employees and the mutual trust between company and clients.
Dowidar clarified that Vodafone has managed to achieve great accomplishments during the second quarter of the current year, which helped the company protect its leadership position in the Egyptian market. Vodafone leads the market in terms of revenues and enjoys the second-largest market share. This is due to the promotional offers that the company has launched during the second quarter of the current year.
Marketing Director at Vodafone Egypt, Ahmed Essam explained that Vodafone has been following a certain strategy since its inception in 1998, which is that the distributors are considered to be the company’s arms that reach out to the market. Today, and after the great success, Vodafone considers its official agents and distributors as its ‘Partners in Success’. Vodafone considers the two most important elements of the Egyptian market to be the clients and the official agents and distributors.
Essam announced the names of the 85 winners or Pilgrimage and Omra trips that were selected based on the highest sales achieved last year.
Director of Consumer Sales, Khaled Riad announced that Vodafone is completely eager to increase the profitability of its distributors by improving the cash cycle and providing new products and services such as USB Modems, and ADSL services under prepaid or postpaid schemes. Vodafone is trying to achieve this by introducing new services such as mobile money transfer through its official distributors. Vodafone also aims to increase sales by offering the best competitive offers and promotions to all segments of users, and by offering the highest incentives for distributors.
To be Inaugurated by Dr. Nazif with the Attendance of 1200 Experts and Specialists (Cairo in September, 23rd, 2010)
Vodafone Egypt Sponsors the Euromoney Conference in Cairo under the Motto, ‘Competing for Investments’
Vodafone Egypt is sponsoring the two-day Euromoney Conference in Cairo. Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif is due to inaugurate the conference with the attendance of more than 1200 Egyptian and international experts, investors and ministers. The conference, which is celebrating its 16th year in September, is considered to be the biggest financial and investment even in Egypt that attracts the ministers and officials that determine Egypt’s economic direction in the next period. This year, the conference will raise the motto, ‘Competing for Investment, Investing in Competitiveness’. The conference will feature the Minister of Finance, Botros Ghaly; Minister of Investment, Mahmoud Mohy Al Din; Minister of Electricity, Hassan Younes; and the Minister of CIT, Tarek Kamel.
CEO of Vodafone Egypt, Hatem Dowidar declared that the company has decided to sponsor this conference, as it believes in the importance of supporting such initiatives that discuss such vital economic issues. The conference is also a good chance to exchange expertise and uncover economic directions. The conference is being held at a vital time, as economies start to recover from the global financial crisis. The Egyptian economy has started once again its rapid development, which attract many companies to invest in Egypt. Vodafone shows great concern towards the Egyptian market and considers it among the most promising markets in the region. Vodafone will continue to pump new investments in order to execute its development and expansion plans in order to offer innovative services to its 26 million users.
Corporate Affairs Director at Vodafone Egypt, Khaled Hegazy explained that the Euromoney Conference represents a great opportunity to display past success and future challenges. The conference will also shed light on attractive investment portfolios that require local or foreign investors. Vodafone is keen to take part in this conference in order to highlight its future vision for the telecom sector, including opportunities and challenges, as well as its competitive ability.
The Euromoney Cairo Conference is due to discuss ways to increase investments, improve infrastructure and sustainable energy projects, and the role of micro and small projects in economic development.