Trial 3G Femtocell Technology

RNS Number:6864N Vodafone Group Plc 11 February 2008 11 February 2008 VODAFONE GROUP TRIALS 3G FEMTOCELL TECHNOLOGY Vodafone Group is carrying out technical trials of 3G femtocells to assess how effectively the technology is able to deliver wireless high-speed data and voice services inside homes and business locations. Vodafone is currently carrying out technical trials in Spain with both Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei to explore the potential of femtocells, which are wireless access points supporting 3G devices and connecting to the core network via broadband DSL. Based on the trials, Vodafone anticipates that femtocell technology may potentially enable it to offer its customers highly targeted propositions for the home and office offering enhanced indoor coverage. Vodafone is also exploring whether the deployment of femtocells could generate greater cost efficiencies through the provision of highly targeted 3G broadband coverage using DSL technology to connect the customer to the core network. 'Vodafone has been driving industry development of femtocell technology, and the trials with Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei are an opportunity for us to assess how much benefit it can bring to our customers,' said Andy MacLeod, Global Networks Director of Vodafone. 'Femtocells have the potential to enhance customers' 3G broadband experience, and the trials are critical to investigate whether the technology can deliver on its promise.' Vodafone continues to offer its customers high speed 3G broadband through its current access technologies including 3G and HSPA offering speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps in selected hotspots. Vodafone is continuously assessing new ways to exploit these technologies further and also exploring the potential of next-generation technologies that could offer wireless broadband speeds in excess of 50 Mbps. - ends - For further information: Vodafone Group Investor Relations Tel: +44 (0) 1635 664447 Media Relations Tel: +44 (0) 1635 664444 Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to our expectations relating to the potential voice and data service enhancements and cost efficiencies resulting from the future deployment of Femtocell technology. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, adverse or unanticipated findings from Vodafone's ongoing trials of femtocell technology, risk involving our ability to implement femtocell technology and changes in the market for home and business DSL technology. About Vodafone Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with operations in 25 countries across five continents and over 252 million proportionate customers at 31 December 2007, as well as 40 partner networks. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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