Tonga Communications Corporation and Vodafone Fiji have signed a strategic partnership alliance that will allow the Tongan Telecommunication Company to leverage the extensive industry experience of Vodafone Fiji. Vodafone Fiji CEO, Mr. Pradeep Lal has called the partnership a win-win extension of a long-standing relationship between TCC and Vodafone Fiji. We have on a number occasions in the past, hosted industry visits from our TCC counterparts to share our industry knowledge and experience. TCC has obviously seen value in these visits and the partnership signing today further strengthens our relationship for mutual benefit.
This is second such partnership signed by the new Vodafone CEO, Mr. Pradeep Lal since taking office in July, having signed Vodafone Tahiti earlier on. Mr. Lal said, “The partnership provides opportunities for both parties to leverage each other’s strength and, where possible, to team up together to negotiate better deals from suppliers and vendors for the benefit of customers in both countries.
The Chairlady of TCC Tonga, Ms. Lorna Aloma Johansson said, Vodafone Fiji has an enviable and proven track record in mobile telecommunications industry in Fiji and is much looked up to in the region. Particularly impressed with their speed to market rollout of new and innovative products and business solutions. They also maintain an impressive 85% market share post six (6) years of full competition; that is a remarkable achievement in light of the competition. TCC being the market leader in Tonga can certainly learn from Vodafone Fiji’s competitive strategy to strengthen its own market position.
TCC has recently launched 3G services and this partnership entails leveraging Vodafone Fiji’s scale and knowledge to procure many products and services such as 3G data devices, dongles, handsets, and smart phones. It also includes leveraging Vodafone Fiji’s scale to procure network infrastructure such as towers, base stations and other related hardware at competitive prices.
Vodafone Fiji will also assist and share technical and commercial expertise with TCC in the launch of mobile roaming services having themselves launched roaming services with over 400 networks and roaming hubs around the world. It is also expected to provide assistance with billing and revenue assurance exercise.TCC is also interested in procuring branding and marketing services from Vodafone Fiji, and tailor it to Tongan market conditions to invigorate and stimulate consumer interest and demand.
There are many Tongan students studying in Fiji at USP, FNU and other tertiary institutions. A number of the Fiji based businesses also operate in Tonga. The partnership will allow us to offer competitive mobile communications services between the countries.
There are many opportunities that are being created as result of closer strategic relationship through the Pacific Islands Development Forum. The region as a whole is looking to its neighbours for partnerships and alliance to leverage off each other’s strength. Vodafone Fiji is happy to offer its expertise and knowledge in mobile telecommunication to other networks in the region to create a vibrant, competitive, and robust mobile communications network in the region.
VODAFONE FIJI