Product Launch
Vodafone Group Plc
25 November 2002
25 November 2002
VODAFONE SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH LEADING COMPUTER SUPPLIERS
'Connected by Vodafone' heralds a new era in the provision of mobile data
solutions for business
Vodafone today announces it has signed global agreements(1) with the leading
computer equipment suppliers Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Psion
Teklogix and Toshiba to offer business customers an extensive range of '
Connected by Vodafone' mobile computing devices such as notebooks, PDAs and
Tablet PCs with easy connection to Vodafone's GPRS data network.
Earlier this month, Vodafone announced the launch of Vodafone Remote Access as
part of the Mobile Office programme. 'Connected by Vodafone' is the next
deliverable under this programme. In partnership with Vodafone, computer
equipment suppliers will offer, market and sell a variety of mobile data
connectivity solutions(2), including Vodafone Remote Access. For the first
time, business customers will be able to receive 'Connected by Vodafone' devices
from their existing computer equipment supplier, heralding a new era in the
provision of corporate data. All 'Connected by Vodafone' devices will be tested,
configured and supported by their supplier, providing business customers with
instant, secure mobile access to their corporate networks.
'Connected by Vodafone' delivers the customer's favoured device ready for mobile
access to corporate email, databases, intranets and other core applications. It
makes this easy by removing the complexity of implementation and configuration
currently faced by users.
All 'Connected by Vodafone' customers will enjoy the benefits of Vodafone's
extensive GPRS footprint, enabling them to seamlessly access their services
whenever they travel abroad. 'Connected by Vodafone' roaming customers will
experience the same Vodafone 'look and feel' and will receive the same
consistent levels of Vodafone service performance and security they experience
on their home Vodafone networks.
Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone, said:
'By providing an integrated mobile data and IT solution from a single source, '
Connected by Vodafone' is a step change in the way in which business customers
can fulfil their mobile business needs. By partnering with IT vendors to
integrate, configure and test mobile access at the point of manufacture,
business customers can now choose to purchase their preferred integrated mobile
hardware device in the knowledge that it will be fully supported by their
supplier of choice.
'IT departments benefit as supply, implementation and support complexities are
eliminated, ultimately providing users with a superior experience and greater
assurance as to the reliability and robustness of the solution.'
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For further information contact:
Vodafone Group Plc
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Melissa Stimpson, Director of Group Investor Relations
Bobby Leach, Head of Group Financial Media Relations
Darren Jones, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Janine Young, Group Communications Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges/John West
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288
For DELL Computers
Julie Eubank and Lesley Henderson, Ogilvy PR Worldwide
Tel: +44 (0)207 309 1237/ 1199
e-mail: julie.eubank@uk.ogilvypr.com / lesley.henderson@uk.ogilvypr.com
For FUJITSU-SIEMENS COMPUTERS EUROPE
Manfred Weis, PR Manager
Tel.: +49 (0)821-804-2662
Fax: +49 (0)821-804-2572
e-mail: manfred.weis@fujitsu-siemens.com
For HEWLETT PACKARD
Sheila Kalra, Worldwide Public Relations Manager, Smart Handhelds
Tel: +1 281 514 6552
e-mail: sheila.kalra@hp.com
For IBM
Claire Berry, Media Relations Manager for IBM Personal Computing Division
Communications
Tel: +44 207 202 3090
e-mail: claire_berry@uk.ibm.com
For PSION TEKLOGIX
Will Rae or Federica Monsone
Hotwire PR
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7608 4638
Liza Loughman, European Marketing Manager
Psion Teklogix
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 443030
FOR TOSHIBA (COMPUTER SYSTEMS DIVISION)
Manuel Linnig, Manager Public/Analyst Relations EMEA, Toshiba Europe GmbH
Tel: +49 2131 158 113
Fax: +49 2131 158 558
e-mail: manuel.linnig@toshiba-teg.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Vodafone has signed global framework agreements with each of the IT
manufacturers mentioned within this release. The availability of 'Connected by
Vodafone' devices within the individual markets will occur on a phased basis.
2. The mobile connectively solutions offered by each IT hardware vendor
will vary and may not include Vodafone Remote Access at launch.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange