AFR) 05/07/00 15:53: Vodafone AirTouch - Customer Growth Figures
Vodafone AirTouch - Customer Growth Figures
RNS Number:4012N
Vodafone AirTouch PLC
5 July 2000
VODAFONE AIRTOUCH TOPS 59 MILLION CUSTOMERS
Vodafone AirTouch today reported record customer connections for the
second calendar quarter of 2000 bringing its world-wide customer base
to more than 59 million proportionate customers. In the 25
countries, on five continents, in which it has an interest Vodafone
AirTouch connected more than 6.6 million net new proportionate
customers. For the first time the figures include customers from the
acquisition of Mannesmann.
The largest Vodafone AirTouch region is the European Region which
reported more than 4.38 million net new connections and a customer
base at the end of June of over 32.28 million. In the European
Region Vodafone AirTouch now has telecommunications interests in 14
countries and represents 54% of the Groups' world-wide customer base.
In the Americas and Asia Pacific Region at the end of June 2000,
Vodafone AirTouch had a customer base of more than 16.25 million,
having added more than 1.46 million net new customers during the
quarter. Vodafone AirTouch has telecommunications interests in 7
countries in the Region. These figures include additional customers
as a result of the revised Vodafone AirTouch shareholding in Verizon
Wireless.
The newly formed UK, Middle East, Africa Region, which manages the
Groups' telecommunications interests in 4 countries, added over
770,000 net new customers. The UK contributed 572,000 of which over
75,000 were contract customers, the highest growth for over a year.
Churn in the UK continues to reduce. The Regional customer base at
the end of June 2000 was more than 10.77 million.
Commenting, Chris Gent, Chief Executive of Vodafone AirTouch Plc,
said: "The customer growth figures we have reported today highlight
the importance of being a global player. Through organic growth and
acquisition we have seen our customer base increase almost tenfold in
the last two years. During the first quarter of our increased
ownership, both Italy and Germany have shown exceptional growth. In
the UK we have resisted involvement in a chase for customers at any
cost, and have adopted a prudent approach to controlling potential
pre-pay fraud whilst maintaining the quality of our customer base.
Verizon Wireless, following the completion of the Bell Atlantic/GTE
merger, is now firmly established to take advantage of its nation-
wide coverage in the USA."
VODAFONE AIRTOUCH APRIL-JUNE 2000 QUARTERLY NET CUSTOMER ADDITIONS
OPERATOR ADDITIONS PROPORTIONATE CUSTOMER BASE
EUROPE
D2 2.68 million 13.79 million
Omnitel 994,000 9.62 million
Others 706,000 8.87 million
TOTAL 4.38 million 32.28 million
AMERICAS & ASIA PACIFIC
Verizon 1.05 million 11.60 million
Vodafone Australasia 204,000 1.99 million
Others 206,000 2.66 million
TOTAL 1.46 million 16.25 million
UK, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA
UK 572,000 9.36 million
Others 198,000 1.41 million
TOTAL 770,000 10.77 million
For further information contact:
Terry Barwick, Director of Corporate Affairs
Tim Brown, Investor Relations Director
Melissa Stimpson, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Mike Caldwell, Corporate Communications Director
At Vodafone AirTouch
Telephone +44 (0) 1635 33251
Lulu Bridges
Tavistock Commmunications
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288 |
