Mobile giant, Vodafone Fiji Limited yesterday marked its 20th Anniversary in Suva with board directors of the past two decades coming together to share their experiences with the company.

The company which commenced operations with 35 employees, postpay plans of only $44 per month and 60c/min in July 1994, is today regarded as a giant in the mobile industry which is rapidly growing and has provided 1 million mobile phones to a population of about 800,000.

Managing director Aslam Khan said Vodafone since its inception has generated in excess of $600 million towards economic investment and around $5 million is being invested in the upgrading of the rural network service.

He said their strength is their passion and their people by having best/right and dynamic people with passion; the brand has done tremendously well in the past 20 years.

Khan said perfect combination for success is only achieved if the company and individual goals are aligned and at Vodafone they always empower employees to take initiatives and give them all the necessary support and training to bring about change and innovation.

Chairman Lionel Yee said the impact of mobile communication revolution on the socio-economic development of Fiji has been phenomenal and immeasurable and Vodafone has done extremely well to be the leaders in the market.

“Vodafone Fiji is one of the few companies that has made a successful transition from a one provider environment to a competitive market place with the same management team and this flourishing outcome is due to working the partnership, respecting each other and resolving conflict through dialogue according to the best interest of the company and its directors,” he said.

Vodafone plans to hold a major month long celebration to mark its 20th anniversary in July, 2014.

By Reginald Chandar