Vodafone begins 3G mobile service
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Vodafone has launched its UK third-generation (3G) services for mobile phones, offering video calls, music downloads and games. The 3G technology enables users to download data at a faster rate than before
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Vodafone has set a goal of 10 million third-generation (3G) mobile phone customers by March 2006 as the titan battles to recoup about 24
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The company joins Vodafone and 3 as providers of high-speed services such as video calling, entertainment downloads and internet access.
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The U.K. hopes to provide better cellular coverage at lower cost by allowing 3G services to run over radio spectrum previously reserved for older 2G services.
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(InfoWorld) - The U.K. is considering letting mobile phone operators run 3G (third-generation) services on frequencies reserved for 2G services, a change that could mean better 3G coverage and lower costs for the public, the government's telecommunications regulator said Thursday. The move by the Office of Communications (Ofcom) follows the expected relaxation of a longstanding European Union (E.U.) restriction on how certain frequencies could be used. A consultation period started on Thursday and runs through Nov. 29. Other European countries are undertaking similar moves to liberalize their 2G spectrums, according to a spokesman for the GSM Association (GSMA), a trade group for mobile phone operators. A 1987 E.U. directive restricted use of the 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrums second-generation services based on the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard, which at the time was intended to foster growth of mobile communications across Europe by ensuring a large market for common hardware. The European Commission has proposed allowing 3G in those spectrum ranges: It says the original directive is now stalling growth of 3G services. The proposal should become policy by the end of the year once it is approved by the European Parliament and the E.U. Council of Ministers, according to the Commission. Operators across Europe have been running 3G services in the 2100MHz frequency band for several years. But opening up the 900MHz spectrum is key, as the lower frequencies allow better penetration of buildings, Ofcom said. The signals also carry further, so in rural areas fewer mobile phone masts are necessary: Ofcom estimates that high-quality mobile broadband Internet services could be provided with 10,000 fewer sites per operator. In turn, consumers should see lower costs for 3G services, the Commission has said. Finland and France are already trialing 3G services in the 900MHz band, the GSMA spokesman said. Market analyst Ovum estimates 300 million people will have 3G connections in Western Europe by 2012 if 3G is deployed at 900MHz and 2100MHz. That's compared to only 235 million connections if 3G is restricted to only 2100MHz. About 50 million have access to 3G today. Operators will likely want to continue using the 2100MHz band, as it has a higher traffic capacity than the 900MHz band, and so is better for urban areas where there are more users. In the U.K., Vodafone Group and O2 (UK)Â use the 900 MHz spectrum but only for 2G services. Ofcom is suggesting letting the other operators, Three, run by Hutchison 3G UK; T-Mobile International; and Orange, to have access to that band. The spectrum would be auctioned, with Ofcom awarding licenses as soon as 2009 and services starting by 2010, the regulator said. Ofcom is also looking at removing some technology-specific restrictions from the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands, which could happen next year.
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THE race to get a widespread third generation mobile phone network in Australia started in earnest yesterday with Optus and Vodafone agreeing to a joint venture network.
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Carphone Warehouse is to launch a new mobile phone service, which will run through Vodafone's network.
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Vodafone have launched the long-awaited third generation, 3G, mobile phone service that offers video calls and music downloads. The use of 3G technology promises faster data rates for mobile users that will
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Under the agreement Ericsson has delivered equipment and services to upgrade Vodafone's 3G network with full HSDPA functionality so that the operator can offer its 3G broadband (HSDPA) service to customers.
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Vodafone yesterday began its campaign for dominance of Europe&#39;s Christmas market for mobile phones with nine new handsets it will use to provide 3G services offering everything from video calls to downloadable games and television clips.
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Mobile phone giant Vodafone says it will introduce 10 new 3G handsets, many of which will be useable in both Europe and Japan.
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Vodafone has flicked the switch for the start of its &#39;Vodafone live! With 3G&#39; service. Its portal of mobile services has had a 3G makeover for UMTS-based (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) video
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Mobile phone provider 3 launches a pre-paid handset that will allow users to make free calls using Skype.
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VODAFONE said it would introduce a range of 10 third generation (3G) handsets in Europe and Japan for the Christmas period, in a long-awaited full launch for the new services.
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InfoWorld - Vodafone has begun offering new fees and features to stir demand for mobile Internet services as competition hits the company&#39;s profits from voice services.
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British mobile phone giant Vodafone said it planned to launch a high-speed broadband Internet service for its millions of customers in Britain.
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SANTANDER, Spain  - Vodafone  sees glowing  prospects for its position as Spanish market leader in  third-generation (3G) mobile phone services, with 60 percent of  its new customers opting for net-friendly handsets, more than  overall market leader Telefonica .