Vodafone K.K. unveils new 3G handsets for spring

January 22, 2006

Vodafone K.K. announces that it will offer an exciting new range of handsets and services for spring 2006. Three new 3G models, including Samsung's first mobile phone for the Japanese market, will be rolled out in mid-March. Vodafone K.K. will also simultaneously launch Japan's first messaging service that displays pop-up 3D animations.

The new handset range consists of four models:

The Vodafone 804SS (3G) by Samsung Electronics, the world's thinnest 3G handset

The Vodafone 904T (3G) by Toshiba, which features a versatile "Grip Style" design

The Vodafone 804N (3G) by NEC, a light and compact music mobile

The V403SH (2G, PDC) by Sharp, a striped model with a European-style design

Adding these four models to the previously announced Vodafone 804SH (3G) by Sharp and the V502T (2G) by Toshiba, a total of six new handsets will be available in the spring sales season, bringing even greater choice to customers in Japan.

Vodafone K.K. will also introduce three new 3G services for customers with these latest models:

"Deru Moji 3D Pictogram Display", displays pop-up 3D animations in mails, making messaging even more expressive and fun (compatible with the 804SS, 904T and 804N)

"Vodafone live! CAST", a new service that delivers "mobile magazines" to customer handsets overnight (compatible with the 904T and 804N)

"Vodafone Address Book", a service that lets customers back up their handset address book to a network server so contact information remains safe even when a handset is lost or broken (compatible with the 904T)

Vodafone K.K. plans to further expand the range of handsets compatible with these new services.