Vodafone collaborates with Softbank for developing mobile phones

UK based mobile phone service provider Vodafone is now collaborating with Japan based Softbank. The two companies are forming a 50-50 joint venture to develop mobile phones, services and content.

The primary target for this collaboration would be the Japanese market, which is very competitive but lucrative as well.

This would also give Vodafone a reentry into this market after they sold their Japanese mobile phone unit to their new partner.

The deal was signed on between Vodafone Chief Executive Arun Sarin and Softbank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son. They would be working together to develop and purchase handsets, create software as well as make and distribute mobile content.

Sarin said in a statement on this new deal: “It is very natural for us to come together because the Japanese market is an innovative market. We are participating in every major economy around the world.”

Softbank on their part said that they would be renaming their mobile division to Softbank Mobile Corp. from Vodafone Japan K.K. in October.

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