Through the programme, Vodafone UK aims to equip all third party channel partners with the tools and training needed to sell its diverse range of mobile products and services, reflecting the increasingly converged nature of today’s marketplace. 

Vodafone's new channel programme aims to deliver an 'agnostic' approach to working with third party channel partners based on meeting individual customer needs.  For example, a customer with specialist requirements, such as a logistics company, will in the future be referred, by Vodafone, to a specialist channel partner that can deliver solutions that meet their specific business needs. 

Key elements of the channel partner programme include:

• An new online portal containing marketing collateral as well as product, service and sales information
• Dedicated sales and marketing support from Vodafone UK
• Structured training based on the individual needs of each channel partner

Under the new programme, Vodafone UK will work with vendors that wish to sell mobile products and services and provide the appropriate support to help them to develop their business accordingly.  Therefore, a voice-focused reseller will be able to request specific training in selling data products and services and vice versa. The programme also aims to create local communities of dealers to encourage vendors with complementary areas of excellence to partner in order to deliver shared value to their customers.

Chris Huggett, director of enterprise sales, Vodafone UK said: 'The word 'partner' really sums up what we are trying to achieve.  We recognise the market for mobile products and services is becoming increasingly diverse.  Therefore our aim is to develop the expertise of all our channel partners to better equip them to serve the needs of our customers."

Vodafone's channel programme goes live from 1st December 2005, after which registered partners will be proactively contacted. Companies that are interested in joining should visit www.vodafone.com/ukchannels

For further information please contact:

Lucy Rich
Vodafone UK Public Relations
Tel: 0845 4444466
email: press.office@vodafone.com

VODAFONE UK

Vodafone UK has 15.8 million customers and is part of the world's largest mobile community offering a wide range of voice and data communications. On the 1st January 1985, the first mobile phone call was made by Ernie Wise on the Vodafone network. Since then, Vodafone was the first to introduce SMS in 1994 and to make a 3G voice call in July 2001. Vodafone UK was the world's first mobile operator to introduce international roaming, now connecting customers with standard roaming agreements in 174 countries, GPRS roaming in over 55 countries and 250 cities worldwide using 3G.

Following the launch of Vodafone UK's Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card in April 2004, the company launched Vodafone live! 3G in November 2004 offering services such as video-calling and music downloads. Vodafone's 3G UK population coverage currently stands at 72 per cent and the network is being continually expanded.