Vodafone Group Plc. is the world’s leading mobile telecommunications company, with a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the United States through the Company’s subsidiary undertakings, joint ventures, associated undertakings and investments.
As of June 2009, based on the registered customers of mobile telecommunications ventures in which it had ownership interests at that date, the Group had 315.3 million customers, excluding paging customers. This figure was calculated on a proportionate basis in accordance with the Company's percentage interest in these ventures.
The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Company's American Depositary Shares ('ADSs') are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company had a total market capitalization of approximately £74 billion at 31 December 2008.
Vodafone Group purchased Telsim on 24 May 2006 from the Turkish State Savings Deposit and Insurance Fund. Vodafone has started the double-brand application on 1 January 2007 and the migration to single brand Vodafone has been realized on 1 April 2007. Vodafone acquired Telsim with a human capital of 2,356 people; as of today, Vodafone Turkey has around 2,400 employees.
Currently, as the country’s second largest mobile operator Vodafone Turkey has approximately 24% (as of March 2009) of the market with more than 15 million subscribers (as of June 2009) and based on the subscriber volume; Vodafone Turkey has around a 5% share in the whole group (as of June 2009).
Including the acquisition, Vodafone’s investments to infrastructure, human resources, and the amount of resources Vodafone has brought to Turkey has increased above 5 billion dollars. The network has been restructured, the base stations are being modernized and the number of stations has increased by 81% throughout Turkey (6013 by November 2006, 10897 by June 2009).
Vodafone is using its global experience and providing the best service and technologies in the mobile communication world to subscribers in Turkey. These include: Video conferencing, Mobile TV, mobile modem services, fleet tracking, social interaction and sharing applications and Websin, which offers high-speed internet access from mobile devices.
Vodafone is continuing its investments. The target is to be a high quality leading company, and an admired brand with ethical values and high regards for social responsibility.
The main reasons underlying Vodafone’s investment in Turkey are a young and dynamic population, economic and social stability, competitive environment, legal and regulatory framework and close ties with the EU and candidature to EU membership.