Vodafone UK.
The Vodafone group is the 8008 pound gorilla of the cellular and mobile phone industry.
Formed in 1991 – Vodafone on a global basis through all its holding and subsidiaries boasts a global client base of 240 million users – a staggering number that is the envy of the entire mobile sector industry. The most significant deal that Vodafone executed was that with Mannesmann in 2000.After Mannesmann was absorbed into Vodafone, Vodafone doubled in size.
Shorty thereafter Vodafone Wireless was launched. Vodafone has always prided itself on its innovation and helping to push the mobile industry father along.
Some of the highlights include:
• Helped develop international roaming services including products and offerings.
• Vodafone made the first 3G roaming call.
• Vodafone was the first to test payment solutions on a mobile phone.
• Launched Vodafone “Live” which was the first encompassing offering from the handset that allowed customer accedes to entertainment such as ringtones, games and wall paper. Vodafone line is available in 28 countries and to date there are approximately 16 million “live” enabled mobile phones.
• Partnership with You Tube to offer its customers specially designed mobile user friendly content.
• Further deals with Google, eBay and MySpace shows Vodafone's commitment to offer its customer base innovative tailored packages.
Like most network carriers, Vodafone is moving into integrated mobile and PC solutions, but their core services are in the mobile phone industry.
Vodafone operate a GSM network which always supports GPRS.When Vodafone completed a successful bid for the first 3G licence in the UK – it was not well received by the industry as a whole. Accusations of gross overpayment followed and the share price struggled to break through.
Today Vodafone is in the midst of a major upgrade to 3G broadband to facilitate higher data transfer and a richer consumer experience.
Vodafone’s prepaid service in the UK is called “Pay as you talk”. Vodafone has two main plan group – called Anynet and Anytime
Under the Anytime plan:
• Call charges are 30p a minute for the first 3 minutes each day
• After the first 3 minutes, cost is 10p a minute
• Text messages - 10p each
Under the Anynet Plan call charges are as follows:
• Daytime calls - 30p a minute
• Evening and weekend calls - 10p a minute
• Text messages - 10p each
Both plans charge 36 pence for picture message and video messaging
For a more detailed review visit the following Vodafone website
and also Vodafone offers top up and online recharge services for its prepaid customers. This service allows “as you talk” customers to recharge their prepaid airtime 24/7.
