Vodafone Netherlands expand 3G coverage to over 50%

September 19, 2004

Vodafone is the first operator in the Netherlands to offer UMTS coverage to more than half of the Dutch population. With a coverage percentage of 55% Vodafone offers a geographical spread of the Vodafone UMTS network, connecting larger cities, industrial estates, motorways and railways in the Netherlands.

Due to the expansion of the UMTS coverage, Vodafone customers can now use the UMTS data card for the laptop, and services such as Video Telephony and live TV for their handset in the Randstad and other major cities throughout the country. Before April 2005 the number of Dutch cities with Vodafone UMTS coverage will be doubled. By means of a unique Vodafone service, customers can determine whether the Vodafone UMTS network is active within a particular area or at a specific location. Based on postal codes, Vodafone's Customer Services advisors can inform customers whether there is Vodafone UMTS coverage in a specific area.

Outside the UMTS coverage area the UMTS datacard automatically switches to the Vodafone GPRS network offering full coverage throughout the Netherlands. With this, Vodafone customers can always access their normal office applications, wherever, whenever.