VHA will have some 6 million customers and the combined entity generated about A$4 billion in revenue for the twelve months ended 30 June, 2008.

Hutchison CEO Nigel Dews will be CEO of VHA and Vodafone Asia Pacific CEO Nick Read will be chairman.

Of the 95 percent population coverage for mobile services, 63 percent will have access to 3G services, but on completion of network roll-outs, this number is planned to increase to 95 percent.

The merger will consolidate operations across procurement, product development, IT support, networks, commercial operations and administrative expenses to deliver “significant cost savings”.

The net present value of operating expense and capital expenditure synergies is currently expected to be in excess of A$2 billion.