Vodafone provides access to HSDPA technology in 40 Hungarian settlements from June 1. Vodafone's broadband mobile Internet solutions can be utilized by corporate and private, contracted and pre-paid clients of Vodafone alike. As part of the "Free Internet" program, connected to the roll-out, Vodafone now offers a data traffic charge free package for a fixed monthly fee of 5000 HUF, which is unique on the Hungarian market.
Uniform broadband 3G network
Vodafone Hungary has switched its entire 3G network to HSDPA mode and so Budapest and its surroundings, as well as in five large cities, Győr, Pécs, Szeged, Debrecen and Miskolc, it provides access with a maximum download speed of 3.6 Mbit/s and an upload speed of 384 kbit/s. Beside the speed, another benefit of the solution is that following a fast and simple installation process, the service will be ready to use instantly.
"So far, our clients have been able to make use of the HSDPA service in 14 countries of the Vodafone Group. We are proud that Vodafone’s broadband mobile Internet solutions are now also available in Hungary. The most important issue for us is the quality of the service and the satisfaction of our customers, and we have established our stable, fast and reliable network accordingly, offering our customers a wide range of telephones and packages,” György Beck, Vodafone Hungary's CEO said.
Innovative mobile internet packages
With its "Free Internet" program, Vodafone makes an offer that is unique in several ways. The monthly fee of the package, available with a calling plan for a minimum of 2 years of airtime, is HUF 5000 but the first month is free of charge. The devices necessary for the Internet connection are available at the price of only HUF 1. Another novelty is that the customer has the opportunity to return the device to the place of purchase within three business days and cancel the service without any further consequences in case he/she did not like the solution for any reason. The real specialty of the offer is that there is no data traffic fee charged above the HUF 5000 monthly fee, nor is there any limit to the data flow, the only restriction being that in case file-sharing applications are used, the monthly total data traffic may not exceed 5GB. Apart from this, an unlimited number of e-mails can be sent and received, an unlimited number of Internet pages can be visited, including the download of music, images and files. Internet telephone, videophone and online TVs are also free to use. Nor is there any limitation regarding the data traffic of remote access to corporate networks.
Beside the special package, contracted customers with monthly fees can choose from 4 options and 3 different tariffs, depending on their data traffic habits, while pre-paid customers have a choice of 3 options. With these options, it is possible to supplement an existing Vodafone account with an Internet package. The price of the separate tariff packages includes the cost of the SIM-card.
Vodafone Start is only available as an option, which means that it can only be requested by customers already having a monthly account. It is recommended to those who primarily use the Internet for e-mailing without large files and occasional surfing or WAP services.
Vodafone Internet 200 Plus, a fixed monthly fee package, can be obtained both as a tariff and as an option. The 200 MB data traffic in the package approximately covers the data flow demand of surfing and e-mailing once a day.
The Vodafone Internet 5GB option and tariff will be the choice for those who use the Internet more than once a day and also download data. Real Internet addicts are recommended the 10GB Internet package of Vodafone, as it offers a HUF 10,000 monthly fee up to 10GB data traffic.
Mobile Internet devices
Vodafone Group offers a wide portfolio of HSDPA data devices. The Hungarian subsidiary presently sells a Huawei E220 type USB modem, which is equally connectible to PCs and laptops, offering download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s. Besides, customers can choose from two types of data cards. The maximum download speed provided by VMC HSDPA E620 data card is 1.8 Mbit/s, while VMC HSDPA E630 offers 3.6 Mbit/s.
Currently, four types of HSDPA mobile phones are available at Vodafone: Motorola V3xx, LG KU970, Nokia N95 and Samsung i600, and the portfolio will include two more telephones from the end of June. Any HSDPA telephone can be used as a modem, connected to the computer using Bluetooth or a cable. Besides, it is also possible to access broadband Internet on the mobile phones themselves and Vodafone Live! Contents will be accessible much faster with their use.