- Vodafone Connectivity Centres to be opened in 30 PC World stores, with potential
roll-out to further stores - Agreement in principle to leverage TechGuys services to support Vodafone small
business customers
Vodafone UK† (Vodafone UK Ltd) and DSG international Plc (DSGi) have signed an initial
Heads of Terms agreement to provide mobility solutions to small business customers. The
partnership will initially see 30 Vodafone Connectivity Centres integrated into PC World
stores, with the intention to roll out to further stores. PC World is the UK’s leading chain of
computing superstores and the UK’s leading manufacturer of own-brand PCs. Under the
agreement, Vodafone UK will sell its range of mobile and voice and data services through the
Vodafone Connectivity Centres in PC World stores.
DSGi and Vodafone have also committed to working together to investigate ways in which IT
service and support can be improved for Vodafone small business and SOHO* customers
through DSGi’s digital support service for the 21st century home – The TechGuys. The
TechGuys, formed in September 2006, offer a digital support service to UK homes via field
engineers and specialist call-centre based technicians. The TechGuys service is available to
customers irrespective of where they buy their technology. There are currently 3,000 fully
qualified TechGuys offering services nation-wide, with an additional 2,000 expected to join the
TechGuys team over the next three years.
John Clare, chief executive of DSG international, said: “I am very pleased to announce this
important agreement with Vodafone. The worlds of computing and mobile communications
are integrating rapidly and this partnership will leverage PC World’s strengths in computing
with Vodafone’s mobile know-how. Our common ground is a substantial client base in the
small business sector and we believe that our combined services will offer exceptional
expertise and value to our business customers.”
Kyle Whitehill, director of Vodafone UK’s Enterprise Business Unit, said: “We’re very pleased
to have reached this agreement with DSGi and PC World, the UK’s leading computer
superstore chain. Over the past year, Vodafone has set out its strategy to enhance the range
of services it offers its enterprise customers and to widen its offering to small business
customers in particular. This agreement is a significant step along that journey and is great
news for small business customers of both our companies.”
† Vodafone UK refers to Vodafone UK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc.
*SOHO is defined as Small Office Home Office and refers to the small office or home office environment and
business culture.
More information:
Vodafone Group Media Relations
0845 4444466 or press.office@vodafone.com
Hamish Thompson
Director of media relations
DSG international Plc
01727 203195 / 07702 684290
About Vodafone
Vodafone UK has 16.9 million customers and is part of the world’s leading international
mobile telecommunications Group, offering a wide range of voice and data communications.
The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and
business customers to make the most of now. In addition, Vodafone connects customers
across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 29 countries
and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport. For more information, please visit
www.vodafone.co.uk.
About DSG international Plc
DSG international Plc is Europe's leading specialist electrical retailing group.
It operates a multi-channel approach to electrical retailing and trades through more than
1,200 stores and online stores, spanning 27 countries and employing 40,000 people. More
than 100 million customers shop in-store and online with DSGi every year.
DSGi’s retail and e-tail brands include PC World, Currys and Dixons.co.uk in the UK and
Ireland, Elkjøp in the Nordic countries, UniEuro in Italy, Kotsovolos in Greece, ElectroWorld in
central Europe, PC City in France, Spain, Italy and Sweden, and Pixmania.com across
Europe.
DSGi offers customers a comprehensive range of after sales services, including our national
customer support operation for IT and digital technology, The TechGuys, which offers
telephone and home-based support services throughout the UK. It also runs a multi-brand
business-to-business operation in the UK.
About PC World
PC World, part of DSG international plc, is the UK's largest chain of computer superstores
with more than 155 stores nation-wide. Stores offer more than 5,000 product lines including
extensive ranges of PCs, printers, software, peripherals and accessories from all the major
brands. A range of over 15,000 products is offered in the PC World Business catalogue with
20,000 available on the business web site.
PC World also provides technical advice and services support to all customers, including the
award winning PC Healthcheck, which is available in all stores. By booking an appointment at
the Advice and Service Centre in-store, PC owners can identify whether their PC is working
properly and whether there are any viruses on the system which are causing problems –
whether they purchased the PC at PC World or not. PC World’s automated data backup
service offers customers 50 gigabytes of store for £9.99 per month.
PC World Customer services contact: 0870 242 0444 or www.pcworld.co.uk
About the TechGuys
The TechGuys launched on 4th September 2006 as the first national, 24/7, fully certified
technical support service. The company operates a ‘no fix no fee’ policy for when gadgets go
wrong, but also aims to help people get the most from their technology by explaining and
demonstrating full functionality. The service is open to everyone, regardless of where the
technology was purchased.
There are currently 3,000 fully qualified TechGuys across the country, with a further 2,000
being trained over the next three years. The company estimates that over 80% of queries
can be solved over the phone, with lines available 24/7. There is also an online service at
www.TheTechGuys.com and the capacity to visit 15,000 homes every week.
The business is fully owned by DSG international plc, owners of PC World, Currys and
Dixons.co.uk. DSGi will invest £50 million into The TechGuys business over the next three
years. The creation of The TechGuys creates a potential of 2,000 new jobs across the UK
and a further 1,000 across Europe.