Vodafone showcases Toshiba's first 3G UMTS mobile in Europe

March 13, 2005

Vodafone and Toshiba announced a strategic partnership to market a range of exclusive 3G handsets in Europe, Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Vodafone is also showcasing the first Toshiba UMTS phone, TS 921, to be launched in the European market at CeBIT 2005.

Building on their partnership in Japan, where Toshiba is one of the suppliers of handsets to Vodafone KK, this expanded relationship marks Toshiba's entrance into the European mobile phone market. The companies will work together to market a range of exclusive 3G handsets starting in the second quarter of 2005.

The new TS 921 handset is an extremely versatile model tri-band device complete with a 1.9 Megapixel camera with auto focus. This mobile phone will be exclusively distributed by Vodafone.

The TS 921 has an intelligent clamshell design with swivel action that makes it ideal for multifunctional use. The phone can be used, like any clamshell phone, for standard telephone calls. The phone's swivel action enables convenient table-top use. Stereo-quality voice and sound fidelity is delivered in MP3 mode.

When the two halves of the housing are connected together for taking photos or shooting short videos, the TS 921 takes on the shape of a conventional digital or video camera. Further applications are available when the 2.4-inch display on the front of the phone is opened. The TS 921 user can then conveniently display documents, photos, videos or Vodafone Mobile TV programmes especially made for UMTS mobile phones.

The TS 921 has triband functionality and can be used to make calls in most countries around the world via GSM networks (900, 1,800 and 1,900 MHz). The powerful battery enables up to 320 minutes of talktime and 360 hours of standby operation. Other devices, such as headsets or notebooks, can also be connected up to the TS 921 via infrared or bluetooth.

The TS 921 not only appeals to photography fans due to its high-resolution 1.92 megapixel camera, it also features the additional highlights of integrated flash and auto focus function. The new UMTS phone also delivers convincing results in camcorder mode. It enables the recording of high-quality videos in MPEG4 file format, which can be sent via the Vodafone UMTS network. The videos can be viewed both on the phone's display and on a standard TV screen.

The TS 921 is due to arrive in the Vodafone Shops in spring 2005.

Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone said: "Toshiba is one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world and a significant player in the Japanese mobile market. By building on our existing relationship and experience with Toshiba in Japan, as well as our existing partnerships with some of the world's leading handset manufacturers, we can offer our customers an even greater range of exclusive Vodafone live! with 3G enabled handsets."

Chikahiro Yokota, Corporate Vice President, President and CEO for Toshiba Corporation's Mobile Communications Company, one of Toshiba's in-house companies said: "Vodafone's commitment to making 3G a reality across the world makes them an ideal partner for Toshiba as we enter the 3G handset market."

Vodafone TS 921:

-- 1.92 Megapixel camera, with auto focus
-- 2.4 inch display
-- Triband 900, 1800, 1900
-- Video output
-- High-quality Mpeg4 format
-- SD expandable memory card
-- 360hrs standby
-- 320min talktime