Telefónica companies share best practice, ideas and common tools to improve corporate responsibility performance

Telefónica is a major global telecommunications company and one of the world’s largest in terms of market capitalisation.

The business centres mainly on fixed and mobile telephony, with broadband as the main catalyst for the development of both.

With 218 million domestic and business customers in 23 countries worldwide, Telefónica operates mainly in Europe and Latin America, employing 248,000 people. Telefónica is 100 per cent listed, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders.

Based in Spain, Telefónica is also the leading operator in Brazil, Argentina and Chile and has a substantial presence in most other Latin America countries, including Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Panama and Venezuela.

The European operations outside Spain form Telefónica Europe1.

Corporate Responsibility and Telefónica

Telefónica’s vision is:

We want to enhance people’s lives and the performance of businesses, as well as the progress of the communities where we operate, by delivering innovative services based on information and communication technologies.

Group-wide this vision seeks to support the development of businesses and communities and to provide more people with access the benefits of information and communications technology.

During the year Telefónica introduced common Business Principles and corporate responsibility practices, focusing on reputation and risk management.

The approach to corporate responsiblity is helping all Telefónica companies to improve their activities through shared resources and ideas. A number of common interests have emerged: among them, child protection and safety, inclusive services, education and young people, and ethical procurement.

Telefónica seeks long-term sustainability and competitive advantage from its corporate responsibility activities.

But while recognising the benefits of global approach, it enables each business to focus on local concerns and communities, where material issues may differ.

1 Telefónica Europe comprises mobile, fixed and DSL operations in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia - all of which use ‘O2’ as their consumer brand. Telefónica Europe has 50 per cent ownership of the UK and Irish Tesco Mobile and German Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venture businesses.  It is headquartered in Slough, UK, and has some 43 million customers.