Vodafone embarks on €10m green base station

Vodafone Malta is to embark on an "ambitious" €10 million project optimising base stations to reduce energy consumption, chief executive officer Inaki Berroeta told The Sunday Times.

The project will include the substitution of all radio equipment with the latest technology and lead to energy savings of up to 25 per cent. It falls under the company's corporate responsibility strategy, part of which governs Vodafone Malta's environmental objectives.

Meanwhile, the company is to donate over €9,000 to three charities in the next few days. The funds were collected through the 'Vodafone Employee Contribution for Charity' scheme, under which staff make a donation to charity from their monthly salaries.

Mr Berroeta said that the company was currently working on a business-to-business handset recycling scheme to provide corporate customers with their own channel. Under its main handset recycling scheme, Vodafone had collected over 1,000 old phones until last December and the results of the collection for the first three months of this year will be out next month.

Vodafone Malta issued its second, wide-ranging seven-part CR report for 2006-2008 to coincide with CR Day last Thursday. The report showed that Vodafone Malta Foundation, its own charity, had made donations to the tune of €641, 790 to support a range of projects involving culture and heritage, education, the environment and health.

Mr Berroeta pointed out that the company's vision was to be among the most trusted organisations in Malta, which is why its CR strategy is embedded in daily operations.

He cited initiatives like the Gardjola Project (in collaboration with the University of Malta, the project helps the public monitor radio frequency radiation levels around the islands), user-friendly measures online, e-channel incentives to reduce paper use, transparency in tariffs and use of services as a few examples of ongoing CR activities.

Vodafone said that its customers benefitted from the fact that it had 200,000 customers. What assurance could Mr Berroeta give that marketing and advertising was transparent and fair in light of the new competition?

"Our adverts, TV and radio commercials are designed to provide a clear message," he says. "Terms and conditions are easy to follow and available online. When we give free Vodafone calls, you can actually speak with over 200,000 people for free. We are the largest mobile community in Malta and in the world - that brings a lot of benefits."

Pointing out that the company had invested over €200 million in its network to date, Mr Berroeta said that this year Vodafone would give customers additional talk time and more products.

Vodafone deployed its 3G network three years ago and Mr Berroeta said the take-up on the fast data products had been particularly significant. He pointed out that the product offer was continuously improved to help customers benefit from 3G speed. Its most recent launch involved the first Netbook, the compact laptop with in-built broadband access using 3G technology.

"The trick with 3G is that it is not enough to put a 3G network in place," Mr Berroeta says. "You need to give customers the products so that they can benefit from the network's characteristics. Vodafone invests around €20 million annually to bring the latest technology to the Maltese market. We will analyse the market requirements and respond accordingly."

Vodafone's supply chain management team assesses new and existing suppliers of telecommunications and IT equipment for compliance with the Code of Ethical Purchasing which is in place across the group internationally. It helps Vodafone ensure that suppliers do not harbour child or forced labour, that they operate a health and safety environment, and that suppliers' employees are free from discrimination, verbal abuse, harassment, threats or intimidation.

Turning to Vodafone Malta's 300-odd staff, Mr Berroeta said the company had embarked on several initiatives, including free medical consultations and services for employees. Under its 'Inspire' programme, Vodafone identifies and develops high potential staff and accelerates their progression into leadership roles.