Vodafone enters broadband market with launch of 3.5G datacards |
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Published
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Wed, 21 Jun 2006 15:10
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LONDON - Vodafone and T-Mobile have announced that they plan to launch a mobile broadband service that will offer users in the UK download speeds that are thrice as fast as those currently available on mobile phones.
Vodafone's 3G Broadband data card will officially debut tomorrow June 22. Vodafone says that these cards will result in fewer jams for data transfers and offer peak speeds of "1.4Mbps and upload speeds of up to 384 Kbps". However in the initial months the coverage is limited to M25, Glasgow, Sheffield, Greater Manchester and Tyneside. The world's leading mobile company said that it was aiming for full UK coverage by September 2007.
"This is the first time UK users will get the fixed-line broadband experience combined with the convenience of mobile. This represents a quantum leap for mobile internet users," said Nick Read, the chief executive of Vodafone UK. The card costs £49 or could be included in the laptop if the user prefers to buy an embedded laptop. Users will also pay £45 a month for the cards and roaming charges for Europe cost £95-a-month. Vodafone said that users will be able to have access in six countries and more territories are likely to be added by the year-end.
Analysts say that Vodafone's entry into the field should please businesses. "Businesses should welcome the availability of faster 3G networks in the UK. The speeds that HSDPA can deliver under real-life operating conditions will significantly improve the mobile working experience, enabling mobile workers to do things more quickly and easily," said John Delaney, principal analyst with IT analyst Ovum. "Employers in some industry sectors should expect to see some real productivity gains as a result."
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