STOCKHOLM, Sweden, December 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Vodafone Sweden has signed a partnership agreement within its corporate concept Mobile Office, with computer suppliers Dell and IBM for its mobile solution "Connected by Vodafone." This service allows companies and organisations to buy IBM or Dell palmtops and portable computers with pre-installed mobile connections for Vodafone Sweden's GPRS network.
Vodafone Mobile Office is Vodafone Sweden's new corporate concept that will be packed with voice and data services designed for the corporate world's mobile and global work environments. With "Connected by Vodafone," Vodafone Sweden is taking yet another step towards making life simpler for customers with PC suppliers offering computers that are ready to connect to the mobile data network.
"The purpose of our partnership with Dell and IBM is to help our corporate customers make their businesses more efficient by using mobile solutions. Much of a company's work today is conducted outside the physical workplace via portable computers. With "Connected by Vodafone" it will be simpler for corporate customers to connect up their computers to our datacoms network, regardless of their location," said Anders Sjoholm, Commercial Director, Corporate, Vodafone Sweden.
"GPRS offers a faster, more efficient connection to the Internet and local networks, wherever the user may be. Dell will be offering customers a PC package with factory-installed modem and Vodafone subscription," said Magnus Tallheden, Product Manager at Dell.
"Working with Vodafone Sweden is entirely in harmony with IBM's strategy of helping companies make their everyday work more efficient," said Reine Aslander, Product Manager IBM's PC department.
"Connected by Vodafone" is a concept where palmtops, portables computers and other terminals from IBM and Dell come with in-built SIM cards for connection to Vodafone's GPRS network. In addition to marketing and sales, Dell and IBM will also be responsible for testing, configuration and support for all "Connected by Vodafone"-enabled PCs.
"Security, simplicity and globality are the key words for all services in our Mobile Office concept. Our working partnership with Dell and IBM will further strengthen our concept for businesses. 'Connected by Vodafone' combined with Vodafone's global presence will enable customers to access e-mail, calendars, intranets and other business-critical information even when they are abroad," said Anders Sjoholm.
The first "Connected by Vodafone" products will be available in the first quarter of 2003.
- Vodafone Sweden's GPRS service is available in the following countries: Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, U.K., Germany and Hungary. The list will be supplemented on a continuous basis. An up-to-date list can be found at www.vodafone.se For more information, please contact: Vodafone Sweden Anders Sjoholm, Commercial Director, Corporate Tel.: +46 708 33 10 22 e-mail: anders.sjoholm@vodafone.se Robert Nilsson, Head of Marketing, Corporate Tel.: +46 708 33 12 14, e-mail: robert.nilssson@vodafone.se Dell Magnus Tallheden, Product manager Tel.: +46 8 590 05 100 e-mail: anders_tallheden@dell.com IBM Reine Aslander, Product Manager IBMs PC department Tel: +46 70 793 47 14 e-mail: aslander@se.ibm.com
Europolitan Vodafone AB is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange O-list on Attract 40. The operations are conducted by Europolitan Vodafone AB and its subsidiaries, Vodafone Sverige AB and Vodafone Stores AB. The majority shareholder is Vodafone Group Plc, with 74.7 per cent of the shares, while private shareholders, investment companies and pension funds own the remaining 25.3 per cent. The Vodafone Group is the world's largest mobile network and is represented in 28 countries on five continents. It has over 229 million mobile telecoms users. Our services enhance the efficiency of companies' operations and make it simpler and more fun for people to communicate. For more information, please visit our Website at www.vodafone.se and www.vodafone.com
IBM is the world's largest IT company with 320,000 employees globally. In Sweden, IBM employs around 3,200 people. In 2001, IBM's global turnover was USD 85.5 billion and the company showed a profit if USD 7.7 billion.
Dell Computer Corporation is one of the leading suppliers of products and services that worldwide customers need to build infrastructure for IT and the Internet. Dell's turnover for the last four quarters was USD 33.7 billion. With its direct-selling business model, Dell develops, manufactures and customises products and services in accordance with the customers' wishes. Find out more about Dell at www.dell.se.
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