Inside Update on SoftBank Takeover
In addition to my comments in yesterday’s WWJ email newsletter, additional details have been provided by a Tokyo-based industry analyst. In a note to investors sent earlier today, CLSA’s Kieran Calder provided a wealth of data on the implications of the impending Vodafone KK takeover. These include SoftBank moving very quickly to integrate Vodafone (a hallmark of Masayoshi Son’s style), aggressive new sales targets and a looming retail price war (WWJ subscribers log-in for details).
Analyst Calder spoke with a highly placed industry source who provided first-hand details of the behind-the-scenes activities.
In addition to Son taking over as president of Vodafone once current management decamps and dropping the Vodafone name, we can expect to see:
- Vodafone KK staff moving from the current plush accommodation at Atago Green Hills to SoftBank’s Shiodome office within a few weeks
- 100 new handset models in the market within one year
- SoftBank is targeting 50m subscribers by October 2016 (a 229% increase from the current 15.2 mn)
— Daniel Scuka