First 3G Roaming Call
Vodafone Group PLC
19 December 2001
19 December 2001
VODAFONE MAKES WORLD'S FIRST 3G ROAMING CALL
Vodafone Group Plc ('Vodafone') announces today its subsidiaries, Vodafone
(Spain) and J-Phone Co. Ltd., ('J-PHONE'), have successfully conducted the
world's first third generation ('3G') roaming call. The call was made this
morning between John de Wit, Chief Executive, Vodafone (Spain), using a single
mode 3G handset, and Darryl Green, President of J-PHONE, using a Japanese
single mode 3G mobile.
The call demonstrated both mobile originated and mobile terminated 3G roaming
calls. The call was carried from and to Vodafone's Spanish and Japanese 3G
networks using the signalling links and high capacity global network of Cable
& Wireless, Vodafone's preferred international carrier.
Vodafone (Spain) was awarded its 3G licence in March 2000 and a progressive
roll-out of its 3G network to the 3GPP standard with its principal 3G
infrastructure supplier, Nortel Networks, has been underway since August last
year. Currently it has a network of 120 masts with UMTS coverage in 20 cities
in Spain. Vodafone (Spain) is on target to launch its 3G network in the
second half of 2002, subject to the availability of dual mode GPRS/3G
handsets.
J-PHONE was awarded one of three licences to operate 3G mobile services in
Japan in May 2000. J-PHONE is currently well advanced in its development of a
3G W-CDMA mobile platform and expects to commence offering 3G services in
Japan in June 2002, initially from the Metropolitan Tokyo area using an
Ericsson W-CDMA network and subsequently in all major Japanese cities from
October 2002.
Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone Group
Plc said:
'Today's roaming calls have brought the benefits of 3G mobile technology a
step closer to reality. By operating as one company, we have demonstrated the
new possibilities 3G's global standards bring. Vodafone will bring seamless
multimedia services to increasing numbers of its customers across the world
over the coming years.'
-ends-
For further information:
Vodafone Group Plc
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Melissa Stimpson, Head of Group Investor Relations
Bobby Leach, Head of Group Financial Media Relations
Jon Earl, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Darren Jones, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310
Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About Vodafone (Spain)
Vodafone is the one of the leading mobile operators in Spain, serving over 7.5
million customers nationwide. Formerly known as Airtel Moviles SA, Vodafone
(Spain) was established in 1994 and launched its mobile service in October
1995 to compete with the previous Spanish telecoms monopoly.
Vodafone was awarded one of the four licences to operate 3G services in Spain
in March 2000. Since August 2001, it has been rolling out its network and
expects to offer commercial service in the second half of 2002.
One of the first Group companies to fully adopt the Vodafone brand, Vodafone
in Spain was created in October 2001 following a brief period of dual Airtel
Vodafone branding from June 2001.
Vodafone Group originally became a shareholder in the company in June 1999
when it merged with AirTouch Communications of the US with a 21.7% stake in
Airtel. Vodafone Group now has a 91.6% shareholding in the company, following
the exit of British Telecom as a shareholder.
About J-PHONE Co. Ltd.
J-PHONE Co. Ltd. (J-PHONE) is one of Japan's leading mobile operators,
offering a full range of mobile communications services and extensive network
coverage throughout Japan. As well as high-quality voice telephony, J-PHONE
offers a sophisticated mobile interactive service, J-Sky, with features
including photo transmission, connection to internet providers, 3D graphics
and Java applications. As of November 2001, J-PHONE had almost 11.5 million
customers, of whom more than 75% subscribed to J-Sky.
J-PHONE has been awarded one of three licences to operate 3G mobile services
in Japan, and is currently at an advanced stage of deployment of a 3G W-CDMA
mobile network.
J-PHONE was established on 1 November 2001 following the merger of three
regional operating companies (J-Phone East, J-Phone West, and J-Phone Central)
and J-Phone Communications, and is part of the JAPAN TELECOM group. On 26
October 2001, the Vodafone Group increased its holding in JAPAN TELECOM to a
controlling level of 66.7%, and its economic interest in J-PHONE to 69.7%.
Latest directors dealings
- 1 hour ago ASOS
- 1 hour ago MJ Gleeson
- 1 hour ago Rolls-Royce Holdings
- 2 hours ago Crest Nicholson Holdings
- 2 hours ago Naked Wines