Vodafone and Amdocs look to deepen relationship

Vodafone has chosen Amdocs to consolidate its billing systems worldwide. The move is in line with a wider move to rein in the number of suppliers it uses and is an extension of an almost decade-old relationship between the two companies.

According to a statement, the companies have signed a "long-term global framework agreement" which counts as a "significant milestone". However, no monetary value has been put on the deal and it looks like Vodafone won't rule out other billing system suppliers.

The mobile giant's push to streamline the number of companies it works with and types of back-end systems it has comes after years of acquisitions. Its IS department has a goal to carry on lowering its operating costs and is thought to still be working with something in the region of 800 systems around the world.

It is also rumoured that Vodafone is increasingly considering far-reaching outsourcing agreements to help it achieve its operational goals.

Notable past Vodafone acquisitions include AirTouch in the US, whose operations were brought together with Bell Atlantic's to form Verizon Wireless, Mannesman and Japan Telecom.