STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- As part of a global campaign, Vodafone Sweden is now launching a new concept for the mobile market -- Vodafone Simply. The new mobile service has been designed for customers who only want an easy to use mobile phone with voice and text services.
Following extensive customer research and feed back from thousands of customers, the Vodafone Simply service offer two exclusive handsets with easy access services in one or two touches of the button on the handsets. Vodafone Simply will be launched on the 1 of June in Sweden.
Phones
Vodafone worked closely with its customers in developing the Vodafone Simply phones. Customers were asked how they wanted their ideal handset to look, what services it should offer, how these services should be accessed and how the phone menus should be constructed.
Following this feedback, Vodafone linked up with Sagem to develop two phones: the Vodafone Simply Sagem VS1, a silver, curvy handset and the Vodafone Simply Sagem VS2, a straight, black handset.
Both phones have large, legible screens, as well as dedicated buttons for direct access to the most commonly used services: the Main Screen, Contacts and Messages. A button on the side of each phone controls ringer volume and a switch locks the key pad function to prevent accidental calls.
In addition, on-screen information, for example battery and coverage level - is designed to help customers master the phone as quickly and easily as possible.
Services
Both phones offer a voice mail service designed to work like a standard home answering machine. The Messages button on the handsets lights up to notify the customer when a call or text has been received. To listen to or read the message, the customer just needs to press the Messages button.
In addition, Vodafone Simply offers a Missed Call Notification service. If a call is missed because the phone has been turned off, the customer will receive a notification via SMS with information about the caller's phone number.
Easy to understand price plan
Vodafone Sweden offer Vodafone Simply with Vodafone Abonnemang or its pre paid cards. With Vodafone Abonnemang customers can make calls for SEK 0.79/minute all day long, to all networks in Sweden. The cost for sending a SMS is SEK 0.79 each. With the pre paid card Vodafone Kontantkort Online, which is sold in Vodafone's stores, customers can make calls for SEK 0.99/minute all day long to all Swedish networks. SMS cost SEK 0.99 each.
``We have many customers who want the latest mobile phone with all the advanced services from full track music downloads to video calling and mobile TV. We also have customers who just want to make and receive calls and text messages on their mobile phone," says Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Group. ``Vodafone Simply is an easy to use mobile service for these customers, to help them stay in touch with friends and family."
``With Vodafone Simply we are widening and updating our range. Just as camera manufacturers offer a wide range of cameras from high-quality `aim & click' cameras to advanced system cameras, we are meeting the ever-shifting communication needs of different mobile user groups. Vodafone Simply has many innovative features all aimed at making it easier for people who just want to talk and text. With Vodafone Simply mobile telephony becomes just as easy as it should be" says Geraldine Wilson, Chief Commercial Officer at Vodafone Sweden.
Start of sale and prices
The Simply telephones will be in stock at Vodafone stores from 1 June and will cost SEK 1,295 with Vodafone Abonnemang and SEK 1,495 with Vodafone prepay cards. Battery charger, tabletop phone holder, headset and PC cable are included.
Pictures of the Vodafone Simply Sagem VS1 and VS2 can be found at www.vodafone.com
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