OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2009. Azerfon, one of the fastest growing mobile operators in Azerbaijan and Vodafone today announce a non-equity partnership to provide customers with high quality communications services and to collaborate jointly on future technological developments.

Under the Partner Market agreement, Azerfon has exclusive access to a range of products, services and devices from Vodafone in Azerbaijan as well as access to Vodafone's experience in supply chain management, the acquisition of enterprise customers and improved network inter-working. Vodafone's products will be made available for Azerfon's customers and potential customers in Azerbaijan.

Azerfon, which is currently constructing the third generation (3G) network in the country, will also be able to draw on Vodafone's expertise in rolling-out high-speed mobile data networks and mobile broadband products, working with leading global equipment providers.

The partnership with Azerfon will allow Vodafone to offer its customers a range of services, which utilise ‘home' network capabilities as well as extended coverage within Azerbaijan. The two companies will cooperate to provide additional support to Vodafone Global Enterprise customers, who have a presence in the region.

Vodafone's products and services will be marketed in Azerbaijan under a co-branded approach and as part of a phased roll-out Vodafone will provide Azerfon customers with improved voice and data roaming access across 67 countries where Vodafone is present.

Underlining the benefits of the partnership, Guido Helbich, CEO of Azerfon, said: "The strategic partnership between Azerfon and Vodafone is of great importance to both companies. It is a logical step for Azerfon as the fastest growing mobile operator in the country to continue the development benefiting from Vodafone's expertise and world-wide success together with the provision of best in class and most innovative products and services from around the world on the local market. It will allow us to reach our potential and better develop the ICT sphere of Azerbaijan. "

Richard Daly, CEO, Vodafone Partner Markets, commented: "Our agreement with Azerfon is an opportunity for Vodafone to build its presence and work with the fastest growing operator in the country, where mobile penetration is around 75% and growing rapidly. In addition, more of our customers require enhanced roaming services and high-speed mobile broadband products within the region due to the high growth dynamics across all sectors in the country".