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This excerpt taken from the VOD 6-K filed Nov 23, 2007. United Kingdom
The National Regulatory Authority (“NRA”) has published draft proposals for consultation on the liberalisation of the use of 2G spectrum which if pursued would result in the return by Vodafone UK of 7.5MHz of 2G spectrum in the 90MHz band in 2009, leaving Vodafone UK with 10MHz. It is proposed that the 7.5MHz be subsequently released by auction but Vodafone UK would be unable to participate. The NRA is proposing to auction the so called 3G extension bands during 2008 and to auction the spectrum released by digital switchover in the second half of 2008.
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There are currently appeals lodged by BT and Hutchison 3G against the mobile termination rates (“MTRs”) set by Ofcom for Vodafone and other UK mobile network operators for the period from 1 April 2007 to 1 April 2011. These appeals are expected to be determined within the financial year ending 31 March 2009 and, if successful, could reduce the MTR’s of Vodafone and other operators in the UK.
This excerpt taken from the VOD 20-F filed Jun 14, 2007. United Kingdom The NRA found that all mobile network operators have SMP in the call termination market in respect of calls conveyed over both 2G and 3G networks. Vodafone’s average termination rate is set at 5.7p per minute for the financial year ending 31 March 2008. Rates then decline by 3.2% below the retail price index in the 2009 financial year and 2.5% below the retail price index in the 2010 and 2011 financial years. The NRA is considering a modification to the charge controls on mobile termination rates to remove the effect of number portability on effective termination rates. The NRA is currently investigating a complaint from BT plc about the level of Vodafone’s termination rates from September 2004. The NRA is assessing whether to liberalise the use of 2G spectrum. The NRA is proposing to auction the so called 3G extension bands during 2008 and to auction the spectrum released by digital switchover in the second half of 2008. This excerpt taken from the VOD 6-K filed Dec 1, 2006. United KingdomThe NRA has published for consultation its proposals to regulate call termination in respect of calls conveyed over both 2G and 3G networks from April 2007. The NRA proposes a charge of 5.7 pence per minute in 2007-2008 for Vodafone followed by an annual reduction of 1.5% below the retail prices index for the next three years. The NRA also proposes to remove asymmetry of rates between 900 and 1800 operators by 2010-2011 and to regulate the charges of H3G, the UK’s third generation operator, for the first time.
The NRA has consulted on proposals to liberalise spectrum usage rights and proposes to apply liberalised spectrum usage rights in the future. The NRA expects to consult on the release of the 3G expansion band spectrum in 2006, being spectrum in the 2.5 to 2.7 GHz band. This is likely to be scheduled for auction in 2007.
This excerpt taken from the VOD 20-F filed Jun 14, 2006. United Kingdom”
means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Channel Islands). “United States” means the United States of America. “ This excerpt taken from the VOD 6-K filed Dec 15, 2005. United Kingdom
The NRA conducted and concluded its review of the access market and found that no operator had SMP. In the call termination market, the NRA has proposed to extend the existing call termination rate regulation, leaving rates unchanged, until the end of March 2007. The NRA has commenced a consultation on the regulation of wholesale
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mobile voice call termination for the period from March 2007.
The NRA is considering whether holders of 2G spectrum will be able to use it to provide 3G services and is assessing the impact this might have on other mobile network operators. The NRA has commenced a number of licensing procedures for the release of spectrum which may be used to provide mobile services.
This excerpt taken from the VOD 6-K filed Jul 25, 2005. United Kingdom
Vodafone UK regained momentum in the quarter with 165,000 net customers added, taking the total base to 15.5 million customers, an increase of 8.9% year on year. Annual churn increased slightly compared to March, driven in large part by an increase in prepaid churn. Blended annual ARPU
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reduced to £300 from £306 for the year to June compared to the year to March, principally due to the impact of the reduction in incoming call termination rates.
The growth in average customers was substantially offset by the fall in ARPU resulting in service revenue growth of 0.6% for the quarter when compared to the same quarter last year. Excluding the effect of the reduction in termination rates, service revenue grew by 4.5%. Non-voice service revenue increased by 11.9% year on year, including a 50.7% increase in non-messaging data revenue. Vodafone live!, with users now at 3.7 million, and Vodafone Mobile Connect were the drivers behind this strong growth.
Net acquisition and retention costs as a percentage of service revenue in the quarter were higher than the same period last year and the quarter to March due to increased customer growth and upgrade activity.
This excerpt taken from the VOD 20-F filed Jun 8, 2005. United Kingdom
Vodafone UK successfully maintained its leading market position in the 2004 financial year, based on revenue share, according to the regulator’s last published data for that year, in line with its strategic objectives, despite pricing pressures caused by intensifying competition and regulatory activity.
Back to Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Contents
Total UK turnover increased by 18% to £4,782 million for the 2004 financial year, driven by organic growth of 12% and the acquisition of a number of service providers, including Singlepoint which contributed growth of 6%. The organic growth resulted from the larger customer base and increased usage of services, partially offset by a regulatory reduction in termination rates and the inclusion of calls to other mobile operators within new bundled price plans. Non-voice service revenue, as a percentage of service revenue, improved over the year to 16.1% for the year ended 31 March 2004 as usage levels of SMS and other data offerings increased. The increased number of Vodafone live! active devices contributed towards the improved non-voice service usage. Equipment and other revenue increased by 91%, principally as a result of revenue from non-Vodafone customers acquired with the service providers and increased customer acquisition and upgrade activity. Blended ARPU increased in the year, mainly due to growth in prepaid ARPU and the Singlepoint acquisition. Prepaid ARPU improved to £130 for the year ended 31 March 2004 from £125 for the year ended 31 March 2003. Contract ARPU, excluding the impact of the Singlepoint acquisition, increased by £14 to £531 for the year ended 31 March 2004. Vodafone UK’s share of mobile service revenue in the last quarterly review in the 2004 financial year by OFCOM, the national UK regulator, for the quarter ended 30 September 2003, was 31.8%, representing a lead of 6.5 percentage points over the second placed competitor. Registered customers increased by 6% to 14,095,000 and the proportion of contract customers and activity levels remained stable throughout the year ended 31 March 2004. The acquisition of the service providers, including Singlepoint, during the year increased the proportion of in-house managed contract customers from 57% to 93%, enabling closer management of the contract customer base. On 24 July 2003, Vodafone UK reduced its termination charges by RPI minus 15% (on the weighted average charge for the previous year) to comply with its licence requirements. This reduction implemented the decision of the UK Competition Commission in January 2003. UK operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items fell by £22 million in the year ended 31 March 2004 to £1,098 million. Contributing factors included: increased investment in the acquisition and retention of the customer base; increased interconnect costs due to changes in the call mix; lower incoming revenue due to the reduction in termination rates; increased depreciation as a result of a general increase in capital expenditure; and amortisation of the 3G licence, which was charged for the first time in this year. As the Singlepoint business had a lower margin, this diluted the margin in the second half of the year. These factors were partially offset by operating efficiencies, including reductions in network operating costs as a percentage of turnover. Vodafone UK announced a restructuring programme in the second half of the 2004 financial year which resulted in an exceptional charge of £130 million relating to staff costs, property provisions and the write down of other assets. The objective of the restructuring was to consolidate recent business acquisitions and to reorganise the customer management organisation to meet the changing needs of Vodafone UK’s customers. In addition, the business reorganised its network and technology organisations and implemented a programme to consolidate switching centres in its network. This excerpt taken from the VOD 6-K filed Jan 26, 2005. United Kingdom
Vodafone UK added 641,000 net customers in the quarter, taking the total base to 15.2 million customers, an increase of over 9% since last year. Churn has continued its improving trend due to ongoing focus on customer retention and loyalty initiatives. Blended annual ARPU reduced to £314 from £318 for the year to December compared to the year to September 2004, principally due to the impact of the reduction in incoming call termination rates of approximately 30% effective from 1 September 2004.
The growth in average customers more than offset the fall in ARPU and led to a 3% growth in service revenue for the quarter when compared to the same quarter last year. Excluding the effect of the reduction in termination rates, service revenue grew by around 7% in the quarter. Non-voice services as a percentage of service revenue for the year to December 2004 were 17.9%, up from 15.5% for the year to December 2003, with Vodafone live! customers now exceeding 3 million.
Net acquisition and retention costs as a percentage of service revenue in the quarter were stable compared to the same period last year, but higher than the quarter to September 2004 due to seasonal promotional activity.
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