Vodafone UK nears 3G launch
November 7, 2004
Vodafone UK is planning to launch 3G mobile phone services this week according to the Guardian newspaper. The company is to spend £100 million on marketing and advertising for its £22 billion wireless service.
The advertising campaign will be fronted by David Beckham, who is also the face of Vodafone's live! data service.
Vodafone recently unveiled nine 3G handsets for its European markets but it is expected that only a few of the handsets would be available at launch. Launches of 3G networks globally have been accompanied by a lack of quality handsets which has lead to slow uptake of the new technology. Despite nine new handsets, some analysts express doubts over Vodafone's launch. They believe the handsets are not quite small enough and battery life is too short.
Coverage is also a concern. Vodafone admits that only 50% of the population will be able to use its 3G services, mainly in populated UK cities.
Customers using Vodafone's 3G service can expect to watch video highlights from the Premiership, film trailers from Warner Bros and listen to music from the likes of Sony Music.
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