STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Vodafone Sweden is today launching three new 'free minute' subscriptions, in which the monthly fee will be lowered by up to 50 percent compared with previous 'free minute' subscriptions from Vodafone Sweden. Vodafone Sweden wishes to meet its customers' need for effective cost control and to offer the best 'free minute' subscription alternatives with subsidised mobile phones.
These reduced 'free minute' subscriptions are aimed at providing customers -- at a fixed monthly cost -- with free minutes to make calls with each month, to all telecoms networks in Sweden, all day long (there is a start-up fee for each call). It is currently one of the fastest- growing subscription forms around and, as opposed to subscriptions with no monthly fee or subscription periods, means that customers can buy the latest mobile phones at subsidised prices.
"Vodafone Sweden's customer surveys indicate that two of the most important factors for customers when choosing a mobile subscription are a low monthly fee and upgrading to a new handset model. That is why we are lowering our monthly fees by up to 50 per cent -- to enable average users to make cheaper calls with Vodafone than with Telia, for example, which also offers this type of subscription. With lower fees, our customers basically get twice the call-time every month. They can also buy the best handsets at subsidised prices," says Paul Moonga, Director of Consumer Segments at Vodafone Sweden.
Monthly fees for the new subscription Subscription with 60 free minutes costs SEK 99/month (previously SEK 199) Subscription with 120 free minutes costs SEK 149/month (previously SEK 299) Subscription with 240 free minutes costs SEK 249/month (previously SEK 399)
The idea behind this type of subscription is that customers can keep a continuous track of their costs by keeping to the allotted number of free minutes for making calls. Vodafone Sweden also offer balance information services via SMS and online to facilitate the control of time used. And even when the free minutes have run out, users can make calls from as little as SEK 0.10 per minute in the evenings.
"While talking to our customers, we have noticed that there is great demand for mobile subscriptions that make it simple to keep track of costs. That is why we are offering this subscription in a choice of levels, so that all our customers will be able to find an alternative that suits their needs. Our new tariffs offer great value to the customers together with the possibility to buy great phones at subsidised prices," says Paul Moonga, Director of Consumer Segments at Vodafone Sweden.
The three new subscriptions are: Vodafone Fria 60, Vodafone Fria 120 and Vodafone Fria 240. They replace Vodafone Fria Minuter 60, Vodafone Fria Minuter 120 and Vodafone Fria Minuter 240, which will be withdrawn as of 16 February.
Price plan (all prices in SEK incl. VAT)
VF Fria 60 VF Fria 120 VF Fria 240
Connection fee 250 250 250
Monthly 99 149 249
fee
Free minutes 60 * 120 * 240 *
Vodafone Sweden's 0.10/minute 0.10/minute 0.10/minute
network and fixed
network,
evenings**
(without free
minutes)
Vodafone Sweden's 3.75/minute 3.75/minute 3.75/minute
network and fixed
network daytime
(without free
minutes)
Other Swedish 1.75/minute 1.75/minute 1.75/minute
mobile networks,
evenings**
(without free
minutes)
Other Swedish 3.75/minute 3.75/minute 3.75/minute
mobile networks,
daytime (without
free minutes)
Start-up fee 0.59 0.59 0.59
SMS 1.10 each 1.10 each 1.10 each
SMS abroad 2.50 each 2.50 each 2.50 each
MMS/Video 2.80 each 2.80 each 2.80 each
messaging 1-300 kb
Video calls in 0/minute*** 24 0/minute*** 24 0/minute*** 24
Vodafone Sweden's hours a day hours a day hours a day
3G network (There is a (There is a (There is a start-
start-up fee) start-up fee) up fee)
Video calls to 5.95/minute 5.95/minute 5.95/minute
other Swedish 24 hours a day 24 hours a day 24 hours a day
mobile networks
*All networks in Sweden, 24 hours a day. There is a start-up fee.
** 19.00-07.00
***Free video call minutes until 31 January 2006 for customers who sign
any of these subscriptions before 30 April 2005.
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