Vodafone simplifies mobile broadband approach
This summer Vodafone UK will begin a multi-million pound investment to extend its fast and reliable mobile broadband network to a further three million people across six major conurbations; Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Reading. These towns and cities join London and major British airports, which were the first locations to benefit from Vodafone's high speed upgrade in 2007. Roll out is expected to be completed by Autumn 2008. This summer will also see Vodafone start to do even more to simplify the way it sells mobile broadband services to customers.
Since pioneering Mobile Broadband in June 2006, Vodafone has led the way in keeping things simple and through innovation and customer insight1 has introduced the following key elements; the award winning USB modem2, plug and play software, flat rate domestic tariffs and 'per day' roaming sessions with Mobile Connect Abroad. Customers can also be assured of the fastest, most reliable network, as recent independent trials3 consistently show Vodafone leading in these areas.
From June, Vodafone customers will see a change in the way Vodafone UK sells Mobile Broadband. Vodafone UK will do even more to help customers make the most of the service, providing more information that reflects the way customers actually use the network.
For example, customers can expect to see more information at the point of sale to help them understand the time it will take to download files, films and music on the mobile broadband network4. The number of emails a customer can expect to download or the number of web pages they can browse will also be more clearly illustrated. Details will be made available in store, online and through our contact centres from June.
"The recent acceleration in the take up of mobile broadband has demonstrated just how hungry consumers are for internet access wherever they are. As a result we are significantly investing in our network so that more customers can experience our award winning, fast and reliable mobile broadband network," said Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone UK.
"We are committed to keeping life simple for our customers in terms of access to information about services and speeds, keeping pricing clear, as well as ensuring our device range comprises easy to use, plug and play modems. From June we will focus on providing additional relevant information with details on everyday usage scenarios, which will ensure customers can continue to make the most of Vodafone's high speed mobile broadband service," continued Nick.
Today's news builds on an announcement5 made in April by Vodafone UK that it has signed a five-year agreement with BT that will give Vodafone the capability to deliver the highest performing mobile broadband experience for customers. The agreement will see BT deploy its new 21st Century Network-enabled Ethernet service. This will enable Vodafone UK to manage the predicted growth in traffic and bandwidth requirements without the need for further investment (read the full press release).
Notes to Editor:
1. Vodafone UK receives feedback on coverage/mobile broadband requirements via a variety of channels; research and customer care feedback, network statistics and use these inputs to directly influence the network investment priorities.
2. Award winning: Vodafone has been awarded 'Best wireless ISP' by the Internet Service Providers Association, March 2008, 'Most Innovative Service' in the Mobile News Awards 2008, IF Product Design Award for the USB Modem, December 2007.
Customer reviews on independent comparison sites rate the USB modem device range and network performance highly with customers on Mobile Phones UK giving the Vodafone Mobile Broadband service an average 4 stars out of 5.
3. Independent testing is ongoing with third party company LCC. Started in February, these trials compare Vodafone performance with the other four UK mobile network operators in 180 locations independently chosen to be statistically representative of the UK population. Reflecting actual customer experience, tests are made indoors as well as outdoors and measure both file transfer speeds (FTP) and web download speed.
4. An example of the type of information that will be available to customers.