Intangible Business, the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy, has today published the first of what will become an annual league table of the 100 most valuable mobile telecoms brands in the world. Over 500 of the world’s biggest mobile telecoms brands were analysed using historical financial data and qualitative expert panel data – providing unique insight into each brand’s financial contribution and strength in the eyes of the consumer.

The Top 10
1.  China Mobile  $30.8bn
2.  Vodafone  $22.1bn
3.  Verizon   $20.4bn
4.  AT&T   $18.9bn
5.  T-Mobile  $16.9bn
6.  Orange   $15.5bn
7.  NTT DoCoMo  $14.9bn
8.  KDDI   $14.5bn
9.  Movistar  $10.8bn
10.  Sprint   $9.7bn

The report, ‘The World’s Most Valuable Mobile Telecoms Brands 2008’, also reveals the brands punching above and below their weight, and the regions and countries which own the most valuable mobile telecom brands:

William Grobel, marketing director of Intangible Business, said: “Brands are generally the main differentiator in the largely commoditised telecoms industry. This research highlights just how valuable telecoms brands are. Collectively, the top 100 are worth over $300bn. China Mobile’s ascendancy to the top has been impressive. With Chinese penetration levels not even at 50%, there is considerable scope for the brand’s value to dwarf its already impressive $31bn.”

Grobel added: “2009 is likely to see further consolidation with a preference for acquisitions over organic growth as assets become cheaper. This research helps identify which brands are performing well and which look vulnerable. Nowhere is immune from the global slowdown and the telecoms sector is no exception. Maintaining brand equity will be challenging for all.”