Notizia che non mi spiazza 🙂 (disclaimer: lavoro in 3 Italia)

Vodafone and Hutchison Telecommunications, which delivers 3 mobile services, announced on Monday that they plan to merge their Australian operations in a 50-50 joint venture. The products of the venture will be marketed under the Vodafone brand and will be chaired by Vodafone’s chief executive, Asia-Pacific and Middle East region Nick Read. Hutchison Australia chief executive Nigel Dews will become the venture’s chief executive. The venture would make a “stronger” mobile operator according to the companies, with around six million customers and combined revenues of approximately AU$4bn (ÂŁ1.8bn), for the 12 months ending on 30 June, 2008. The combined network will reach at least 95 percent of the population, 63 percent with 3G. Additional roll outs would bring the 3G coverage to 95 percent. The companies hoped to achieve cost savings in excess of $2bn across procurement, product development, IT, network, commercial operations and administration. Due to the difference in value between the two businesses, Vodafone would receive $500m as a deferred payment from the joint venture. It will also be paid a brand licensing fee of one percent of service revenues. [via]