Product Launch
01 August 2003 - 8:00PM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:2333O
Vodafone Group Plc
01 August 2003
1 August 2003
VERIZON WIRELESS AND VODAFONE CO-OPERATE ON LAP TOP E-MAIL, INTERNET AND
CORPORATE APPLICATIONS ACCESS FOR THE US AND EUROPE
NEWBURY, UK and BEDMINSTER, NJ - Verizon Wireless, the leading US wireless
service provider, and Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone"), the world's largest
mobile community, today announce their intention to develop a dual branded
'Verizon Vodafone' lap top data card service for business customers working and
travelling between the US and Europe.
The data card will be based on Vodafone's successful data card service, Vodafone
Mobile Connect Card, which Verizon Wireless will develop and market under
licence from Vodafone. The service will enable Verizon Wireless and Vodafone
business customers to seamlessly access their e-mail, the Internet and corporate
applications on their lap tops within Vodafone's territories and Verizon
Wireless' network in the US, with customers experiencing their same service
environment when travelling abroad.
To support the service, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone intend to co-operate on
data card hardware, service inter-connectivity, roaming and inter-operator
tariffing.
"As Verizon Wireless and Vodafone work toward a seamless wireless data
experience for business people on both sides of the Atlantic, our customers will
look forward to the high-quality services and products that we've become known
for in the wireless marketplace," said Denny Strigl, President and CEO of
Verizon Wireless.
"Today's announcement demonstrates the potential of the Verizon Wireless and
Vodafone partnership to lead the global mobile market in delivering genuine
customer value. By combining our product and marketing knowledge with Verizon
Wireless' excellent quality CDMA 1xRTT data Express Network and Vodafone's GPRS
networks, our partnership will deliver mobile e-mail access, the Web and
corporate applications, all key business services. This will allow Verizon
Wireless and Vodafone customers to work effectively whilst travelling in the US
and Europe," said Julian Horn Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Vodafone.
About Vodafone Group Plc
Vodafone is the world's largest mobile community with over 122.7m proportionate
customers worldwide and equity interests in 28 countries and Partner Networks in
a further 9 countries. www.vodafone.com
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications.
The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 34.6
million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint
venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).
Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.
- ends-
For further information:
Vodafone Group
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Investor Relations
Melissa Stimpson
Darren Jones
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Media Relations
Jon Earl
Janine Young
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges
John West
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288
Verizon Wireless
Jeffrey Nelson
Tel: +1 908.306.4824
Jeffrey.Nelson@VerizonWireless.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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