Examine individual changes

'{{Use British English|date=January 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2012}} {{Refimprove|date=January 2012}} {{Infobox company | company_name = Vodafone India | logo = [[File:Vodafone logo.svg|200px|Vodafone logo]] | company_type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | predecessor = [[Hutchison_Telecommunications_International_Limited#Hutchison India|Hutchison Essar]] | foundation = 1994 | company_slogan = Power to you. | company_vision = | industry = [[Telecommunication]]s | location = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]] | products = [[Mobile telephony]]<br>[[Wireless broadband]] services | revenue = | owner = [[Vodafone Group]]Takshi Group | parent = [[Vodafone Group Plc|Vodafone International Holdings BV ''(VIH)'']] | homepage = {{URL|www.vodafone.in}}<br />{{URL|www.vodafone.com}} | intl = yes }} '''Vodafone India''', formerly '''Vodafone Essar''' and '''Hutchison Essar''', is the [[List of mobile network operators of India|second largest mobile network operator]] in [[India]] after [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]]. It is based in [[Mumbai, Maharashtra]] and which operates nationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vodafone.in/vodafone/Footer/pages/aboutus.aspx |title=Vodafone Essar Ltd: Vodafone India&nbsp;— Mobile Communications worldwide |publisher=Vodafone.in |date=2009-03-31 |accessdate=2009-05-01}}</ref> It has approximately 140.84 million customers as of November 2011. On July 2011, [[Vodafone Group]] agreed terms for the buy-out of its partner [[Essar]] from its Indian mobile phone business. The UK firm paid $5.46 billion to its Indian counterpart to take Essar out of its 33% stake in the Indian subsidiary. It will leave Vodafone owning 74% of the Indian business, while the other 26% will be owned by Indian investors, in compliance with Indian law.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13996525 Vodafone finalises India mobile subsidiary buyout]</ref> On 11 February, 2007, Vodafone agreed to acquire the controlling interest of 67% held by [[Li Ka Shing]] Holdings in Hutch-Essar for US$11.1 billion, pipping [[Reliance Communications]], Hinduja Group, and Essar Group, which is the owner of the remaining 33%. The whole company was valued at [[USD]] 18.8 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7eaef850-b9e3-11db-89c8-0000779e2340.html |title=/ Companies / Telecoms&nbsp;— Investors welcome Vodafone deal |publisher=Ft.com |date= |accessdate=2009-05-01}}</ref> The transaction closed on 8 May, 2007. It offers both [[Prepaid mobile phone|prepaid]] and postpaid [[GSM]] [[cellular phone]] coverage throughout India with good presence in the metros. Vodafone India provides [[2.75G]] services based on 900&nbsp;MHz and 1800&nbsp;MHz digital GSM technology. Vodafone India launched [[3G]] services in the country in the January-March quarter of 2011 and plans to spend up to $500 million within two years on its 3G networks.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/Vodafone-to-launch-India-3G-services-in-Q1-2011/articleshow/6786557.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=News By Industry | date=21 October 2010}}</ref> ==History== ===Hutchison Essar (1992-2007)=== In 1992, [[Hutchison Whampoa]] and its Indian business partner – Max Group, established a company that in 1994 was awarded a licence to provide mobile telecommunications services in Mumbai and launched commercial services as Hutchison Max in November 1995. In Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (East), Rajasthan and Haryana, [[Essar Group]] was the major partner. But later Hutch took the majority stake. By the time of Hutchison Telecom's Initial Public Offering in 2004, Hutchison Whampoa had acquired interests in six mobile telecommunications operators providing service in 13 of India's 23 licence areas and following the completion of the acquisition of BPL Mobile that number increased to 16. In 2006, it announced the acquisition of a company (Essar Spacetel&nbsp;— A subsidiary of Essar Group) that held licence applications for the seven remaining licence areas. Initially, the company grew its business in the largest wireless markets in India&nbsp;— in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. In these densely populated urban areas it was able to establish a robust network, well-known brand and large distribution network – all vital to long-term success in India. Then it also targeted business users and high-end post-paid customers which helped Hutchison Essar to consistently generate a higher [[Average Revenue Per User]] (ARPU) than its competitors. By adopting this focused growth plan, it was able to establish leading positions in India's largest markets providing the resources to expand its footprint nationwide. In February 2007, Hutchison Telecom announced that it had entered into a binding agreement with a subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc to sell its 67% direct and indirect equity and loan interests in Hutchison Essar Limited for a total cash consideration (before costs, expenses and interests) of approximately $11.1 billion. Hutch was often praised for its award winning advertisements which all follow a clean, minimalist look. A recurrent theme is that its message "Hi" stands out visibly though it uses only white letters on red background. Another successful ad campaign in 2003 featured a [[Cheeka (dog)|pug named Cheeka]] following a boy around in unlikely places, with the tagline, "Wherever you go, our network follows." The simple yet powerful advertisement campaigns won it many admirers. Ads featuring the pug were continued by Vodafone even after rebranding. The brand subsequently introduced [[ZooZoo]]s which gained even higher popularity than was created by the Pug. Vodafone's creative agency is O&M while Harit Nagpal was the Marketing Director during the various phases of its brand evolution. ====Timeline==== 1992: Hutchison Whampoa and MAX group establish Hutchison Max 2000: Acquisition of Delhi operations and entry into Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Gujarat markets through Essar acquisition 2001: Won auction for licences to operate GSM services in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Chennai [[Image:Cheeka1.jpg|thumb|right|A 'You and I' print advertisement of Hutch featuring [[Cheeka (dog)]]]] 2003: Acquired AirCel Digilink (ADIL&nbsp;— ESSAR Subsidiary) which operated in Rajastan, Uttar Pradesh East and Haryana telecom circles and rebranded it 'Hutch'. 2004: Launched in three additional telecom circles of India namely Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (West) and West Bengal. 2005: Acquired BPL Mobile operations in 3 circles. This left BPL with operations only in Mumbai, where it still operates under the brand 'Loop Mobile'. 2007: Vodafone acquires a 67% stake in Hutchison Essar for $10.7 billion. The company is renamed Vodafone Essar. 'Hutch' is rebranded to 'Vodafone'. 2008: Vodafone acquires the licences in remaining 7 circles and has starts its pending operations in [[Madhya Pradesh]] circle, as well as in Orissa, Assam, North East and Bihar. 2011: Vodafone Group buys out its partner Essar from its Indian mobile phone business. It paid $5.46 billion to take Essar out of its 33% stake in the Indian subsidiary. It left Vodafone owning 74% of the Indian business. ===Vodafone acquires Essar's Stake=== On March 31, 2011, [[Vodafone|Vodafone Group Plc]] announced that it would buy an additional 33% stake in its Indian joint venture for $5 billion after partner [[Essar Group]] exercised an option to sell the holding in the mobile-phone operator. The deal will raise Vodafone’s stake to 75%. Essar will exit the company after it implemented a [[put option]] over 22% of the venture. Vodafone exercised its [[call option]] to buy an 11% stake.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-31/essar-exercises-option-to-sell-5-billion-stake-in-vodafone-essar-venture.html Vodafone to Buy Additional Essar India Stake for $5 billion – Bloomberg]</ref> In 2007, Vodafone granted options to Essar that would enable the conglomerate to sell its entire stake for $5bn, or to dispose of part of the 33 per cent shareholding at an independently appraised fair market value. In January 2011, Vodafone objected to Essar’s plans to place part of its 33% stake in India Securities, a small public company. Vodafone feared the move would give an inflated market value to Vodafone Essar.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c775758-5b6b-11e0-b965-00144feab49a.html#axzz1IB0EtLwd FT.com / Telecoms – Vodafone pays $5bn for Essar stake]</ref> It had approached the market regulator SEBI and also filed a petition in the Madras High Court. The final shareholding pattern post this deal was not provided by the company as it was not clear whether Vodafone's stake would exceed the 74 per cent FDI limit. Indian laws don't allow foreign companies to own more than 74% in a local mobile-phone operator. Vodafone has assured it will comply with local rules. Vodafone will have to sell that 1% to some Indian entity, or they’ll have to consider an initial public offering. Vodafone also said that final settlement is anticipated to be completed by November 2011. The completion of the deal would be subject to meeting certain conditions which include [[Reserve Bank of India]]'s permission as well as valuation of the deal.<ref>[http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/essar-exits-vodafone-essar-joint-venture-for-5-billion-147412 Essar exits Vodafone-Essar joint venture for $5 billion – NDTV Profit]</ref> ===Vodafone-Hutchison Tax Case=== [[File:Shaadi.com on Vodafone billboard.jpg|thumb|right|A billboard of Vodafone showing collaboration with [[Shaadi.com]]]] Vodafone was embroiled in a $2.5 billion tax dispute with the Indian Income Tax Department over its purchase of Hutshison Essar Telecom services in April 2007. It was being alleged by the Indian Tax authorities that the transaction involved purchase of assets of an Indian Company, and therefore the transaction, or part thereof was liable to be taxed in India.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/19f3ed16-a2f1-11e0-a9a4-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1TaRdrI6x]</ref> Vodafone Group Plc. entered India in 2007 through a subsidiary based in the Netherlands, which acquired [[Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited|Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd]]’s (HTIL) stake in Hutchison Essar Ltd (HEL)—the joint venture that held and operated telecom licences in India. This [[Cayman Islands]] transaction, along with several related agreements, gave Vodafone control over 67% of HEL and extinguished Hong Kong-based Hutchison’s rights of control in India, a deal that cost the world’s largest telco $11.2 billion at the time.<ref>[http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/09/20231941/Deal-with-Hutch-was-8216art.html?atype=tp].</ref> The crux of the dispute had been whether or not the Indian Income Tax Department has jurisdiction over the transaction. Vodafone had maintained from the outset that it is not liable to pay tax in India; and even if tax were somehow payable, then it should be Hutchison to bear the tax liability. In January 2012, the [[Indian Supreme Court]] passed the judgement in favor of Vodafone, saying that the Indian Income tax department had "no jurisdiction" to levy tax on overseas transaction between companies incorporated outside India. However, Indian government thinks otherwise. It believes that if an Indian company, Hutchison India Ltd., conducts a financial transaction, government should get its tax out of it. Therefore, in 2012, India changed its Income Tax Act retrospectively and made sure that any company, in similar circumstances, is not able to avoid tax by operating out of tax-havens like Cayman Islands or Lichtenstein. In May 2012, Indian authorities confirmed that they were going to charge Vodafone about Rs. 20000 crore (US $4.5 billion) in tax and fines. The second phase of the dispute is about to start.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Vodafone-Hutchison-deal-Vodafone-wins-Rs-11000-crore-tax-case/articleshow/11566027.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Vodafone-Hutchison deal: Vodafone wins Rs 11,000 crore tax case - The Times of India}}</ref> ==3G== On 19 May 2010, the 3G spectrum auction in India ended. Vodafone paid {{INR}} 11617.86 million (the second highest amount in the auctions) for spectrum in 10 circles. The circles it will provide 3G in are [[Delhi]], [[Kanpur]], [[Gujarat]], [[Haryana]], [[Kolkata]], [[Maharashtra]] & [[Goa]], [[Mumbai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (East) and [[West Bengal]].<ref>[http://www.medianama.com/2010/05/223-3g-auction-india-ends-provisional-winners/ India’s 3G Auction Ends; Operator And Circle-Wise Results – MediaNama]</ref> Vodafone also operates 3G services in [[Kerala]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and Uttar Pradesh (West) through an agreement with [[Idea Cellular|Idea]] and in [[Karnataka]] through an agreement with [[Airtel]].. This gives Vodafone a 3G presence in 13 out of 22 circles in India. On 16 March, 2011, Vodafone launched 3G services in Uttar Pradesh (East) in the city of [[Lucknow]].<ref>[http://www.mobilebusinessbriefing.com/article/vodafone-launches-first-full-3g-service-in-india GSMA Mobile Business Briefing – Telecoms news from around the world]</ref> Vodafone had already launched limited 3G services in [[Chennai]] and [[Delhi]] earlier, but the Uttar Pradesh (East) launch counts as its first fully commercial launch. This makes Vodafone the fifth private operator (seventh overall) to launch its 3G services in the country following [[Tata Docomo]], [[Reliance Communications]], [[Airtel (India)|Airtel]] and [[Aircel]]. On 23rd June, 2011 Vodafone launched 3G service in Kerala by joining with Idea in an Intra Circle Roaming agreement. Initially Vodafone 3G services will be available in the following cities in Kerala – Ernakulam, Aluva, Calicut, Koyilandy, Alappuzha, Cherthala, Malappuram and Manjeri. On 28 June 2012, Vodafone launched a new international roaming package under which the users shall have not to pay multiple rentals in the countries they are visiting.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/PersonalTech-Updates/Vodafone-India-offers-new-international-roaming-pack/SP-Article1-880053.aspx| title= Vodafone India offers new international roaming pack| date=28 June 2012}}</ref> ==Subscriber Base== Following is the Vodafone India subscriber base statistics as on June 2011.<ref>http://coai.com/Sub%20Figs/GSM%202011/All%20india%20GSM%20sub%20figures%20Jun%202011.xls</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" width="350" |+ Subscriber Base Statistics as on January, 2011 |- ! scope="col" align="left" | Telecom Cicle ! scope="col" align="left" | No. of Subscribers |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_guj.aspx?cid=guj Gujarat] || 14,910,573 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_upe.aspx?cid=upe Uttar Pradesh(East)] || 14,237,217 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_mah.aspx?cid=mah Maharashtra] || 11,962,824 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_rob.aspx?cid=rob West Bengal] || 11,040,815 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_tam.aspx?cid=tam Tamil Nadu] || 9,330,557 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_raj.aspx?cid=raj Rajasthan] || 8,711,277 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_upw.aspx?cid=upw Uttar Pradesh(West)] || 9,234,369 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_hyd.aspx?cid=hyd Andhra Pradesh] || 7,347,024 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_del.aspx?cid=del Delhi] || 7,788,376 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_knp.aspx?cid=knp Goa] || 7,134,576 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_kar.aspx?cid=kar Karnataka] || 6,591,039 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_ker.aspx?cid=ker Kerala] || 5,535,177 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_bih.aspx?cid=bih Bihar] || 5,244,148 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_kol.aspx?cid=kol Kolkata] || 4,373,647 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_pun.aspx?cid=pun Punjab] || 4,132,392 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_har.aspx?cid=har Haryana] || 4,170,943 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_map.aspx?cid=map Madhya Pradesh] || 3,135,580 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_che.aspx?cid=che Chennai] || 2,113,992 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_ors.aspx?cid=ors Odisha] || 2,338,159 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_asm.aspx?cid=asm Assam] || 1,650,109 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_ner.aspx?cid=ner North East] || 861,826 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_jnk.aspx?cid=jnk Jammu & Kashmir] || 565,253 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_hip.aspx?cid=hip Himachal Pradesh] || 357,430 |- | [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/home_mum.aspx?cid=mum Mumbai] || 5,887,113 |} <!-- | rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Total Vodafone Essar Subscribers : 106,347,368 --> Total number of Vodafone India Subscribers : '''141,519,840''', i.e. '''23.63%''' of the total '''598,779,674''' Indian mobile phone subscribers. Source : http://coai.in/statistics.php ==Competitors== Vodafone competes with 14 other mobile operators throughout India. They are [[Aircel]], [[Airtel (India)|Airtel]], [[BSNL]], [[Idea Cellular|Idea]], [[Loop Mobile India|Loop Mobile]], [[MTNL]], [[MTS India|MTS]], [[Reliance Communications]], [[S Tel]], [[Tata DoCoMo]], [[Tata Indicom]], [[Uninor]], [[Videocon Telecommunications Limited|Videocon]] and [[Virgin Mobile India|Virgin Mobile]]. ==Awards and recognition== [[The Brand Trust Report]],<ref>http://www.financialexpress.com/news/a-matter-of-trust/747288/</ref> 2011 published by Trust Research Advisory has ranked Vodafone<ref>http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-50-most-trusted-brands/20110120.htm</ref> as the 16th most trusted brand in India. == See also == * [[Vodafone]] * [[Vodafone market share]] == Other Information == * [[Circle Codes]] 988 - Bangalore 9823 - Maharashtra & Goa ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Portal|Companies}} * [http://www.vodafone.in/pages/index.aspx Vodafone India Official website] * [http://www.vodafone.com Vodafone Group Official website] {{Vodafone}} {{Essar Group}} {{Bigg Boss}} {{Telecommunication companies of India}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vodafone India}} [[Category:Companies based in Mumbai]] [[Category:Telecommunications companies of India]] [[Category:Vodafone]] [[Category:Mobile phone companies of India]] [[Category:Internet service providers of India]] [[Category:Companies established in 1994]] [[Category:Essar Group]] [[as:ভোডাফ'ন ভাৰত]] [[bn:ভোডাফোন এসার]] [[it:Hutch Essar]] [[ml:വോഡാഫോൺ ഇന്ത്യ]] [[ta:ஹட்ச்]] [[uk:Vodafone Essar]]'