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Wednesday 21 November 2007, 11:17 PM
Upbeat Arun - with insight on mobile future and even the iPhone!
Earlier this week - the FT published a long interview with Arun Sarin, CEO of Vodafone. There are some interesting insights into the future of mobile services and into Arun's outlook.
Vodafone, like other operators, have their sights firmly fixed on growing revenues from data services - already 20% of their revenues are generated from data and this proportion is expected to grow. Arun went further to stress the importance of advertising revenues as a component of this growth, recognising that Vodafone needs to mine new revenue streams.
The future of mobile pricing was also discussed, over the next 5-10 years we can expect to see a gradual shift to 'all you can eat' flat rate mobile voice tariffs similar to those already in place for mobile data. Arun admits the reality of this type of pricing despite the difficulties in applying a level playing field to such varied usage levels.
Interesting that Arun does not see any risk to Vodafone being reduced to a pipe, or conduit for mobile services as with the fixed line providers. He pinpoints location as the key USP held by the mobile suppliers - handset companies and other tech vendors can launch new services but will never be able to link this to the individual location of a user - so we can expect to see Vodafone pushing more location based services.
Good to see Arun being realistic about the Mobile Internet - sure he wants people to use Vodafone Live! but his second priority is to enable the Mobile Internet, wherever users will roam.
Finally, Arun can't resist taking a swipe at the iPhone. Admitting that he owns an iPhone he is far from impressed - in areas without wireless access he describes the usage experience as very limited. Could be seen as sour grapes because Vodafone missed out on the iPhone deal, but he is quick to promote the value of the Nokia - Vodafone tie up and does not rule out more partnerships with content and service providers.... watch this space....
Under Arun's stewardship, Vodafone has been turned around from a difficult time with a lot of shareholder pressure and even rumours of it being a takeover candidate. Now the share price is at 3 year highs, they are weighing up other acquisitions and Arun is even finding time to join us his son surfing or playing golf...
Vodafone, like other operators, have their sights firmly fixed on growing revenues from data services - already 20% of their revenues are generated from data and this proportion is expected to grow. Arun went further to stress the importance of advertising revenues as a component of this growth, recognising that Vodafone needs to mine new revenue streams.
The future of mobile pricing was also discussed, over the next 5-10 years we can expect to see a gradual shift to 'all you can eat' flat rate mobile voice tariffs similar to those already in place for mobile data. Arun admits the reality of this type of pricing despite the difficulties in applying a level playing field to such varied usage levels.
Interesting that Arun does not see any risk to Vodafone being reduced to a pipe, or conduit for mobile services as with the fixed line providers. He pinpoints location as the key USP held by the mobile suppliers - handset companies and other tech vendors can launch new services but will never be able to link this to the individual location of a user - so we can expect to see Vodafone pushing more location based services.
Good to see Arun being realistic about the Mobile Internet - sure he wants people to use Vodafone Live! but his second priority is to enable the Mobile Internet, wherever users will roam.
Finally, Arun can't resist taking a swipe at the iPhone. Admitting that he owns an iPhone he is far from impressed - in areas without wireless access he describes the usage experience as very limited. Could be seen as sour grapes because Vodafone missed out on the iPhone deal, but he is quick to promote the value of the Nokia - Vodafone tie up and does not rule out more partnerships with content and service providers.... watch this space....
Under Arun's stewardship, Vodafone has been turned around from a difficult time with a lot of shareholder pressure and even rumours of it being a takeover candidate. Now the share price is at 3 year highs, they are weighing up other acquisitions and Arun is even finding time to join us his son surfing or playing golf...
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