Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone") today announces the launch of Eurocall Platinum, a new Eurocall option which has been developed to help reduce the cost of calls for high volume roaming customers. Eurocall Platinum builds on the success of Eurocall, Vodafone's single rate European price plan, launched in January 2001.
Customers pay a monthly fee up to EUR 10, which gives them access to a maximum flat roaming rate of EUR 0.65 per minute. The rate applies to Vodafone partner network customers who originate calls when roaming, in the participating countries, to any country within Western Europe(1). The existing basic Eurocall tariff rate is currently charged at a maximum of EUR 0.80, when the participating Vodafone partner network is used.
Vodafone customers in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden will today be able to register for Eurocall Platinum. The service will be extended to SFR customers in France from 15 October 2002 and to Vodafone UK customers by 1 November 2002.
The Eurocall Platinum option comes with a free upgrade to an assisted roaming SIM which automatically seeks to connect customers to the local Vodafone partner network. The Eurocall Platinum price, like Eurocall, will be single rate and have no peak and off-peak periods.
Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Vodafone Global Products & Services, commented: "The launch of Eurocall Platinum is a further example of Vodafone's ability to deliver European services that directly benefit our customers. Through Eurocall Platinum, customers who are frequent users of our roaming services will now be able to stay in touch across Europe at even better prices."
Notes to Editors:
Call and Monthly charges exclude VAT.
The Vodafone partner networks are: SFR (France), Vodafone Germany, Vodafone Greece, Vodafone Ireland, Vodafone Omnitel (Italy), Vodafone Netherlands, Vodafone Portugal, Vodafone Spain, Vodafone Sweden and Vodafone UK.
(1) "Western Europe"
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Canary Islands
Denmark
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Ireland
San Marino
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
For further information contact:
Vodafone Group Plc
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Melissa Stimpson, Director of Group Investor Relations
Bobby Leach, Head of Group Financial Media Relations
Jon Earl, Senior Group Communications Manager
Janine Young, Group Communications Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges / John West
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288