Vodafone Ireland 3G Press Release

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Vodafone Ireland announces pricing of new 3G services, handsets and voice bundles

Vodafone, Ireland's leading mobile operator, today announced pricing for 3G services, handsets and voice calls. Vodafone's customers will be the first in Ireland to avail of a range of the very latest handsets and new content-rich services such as video calling, video streaming and downloading, Mobile TV and 3D games. Handsets will be in stores this week.

Vodafone live! with 3G, the next generation of Vodafone's multi-media consumer offering, was launched across 13 countries on 10th November and offers faster download speeds and improved sound and images. Later this week, Vodafone post-paid customers can purchase the Motorola V980 from only EUR169 in Vodafone agent stores. Additional models such as the Nokia 6630 from EUR239 and the Sony Ericsson V80 at EUR319 will be in the stores before Christmas and Europe's first 2 mega-pixel camera phone, the Sharp V902 at EUR379 will be available in the new year.

3G customers will benefit from big savings on voice and the very best rates available. Customers can look forward to savings of between 10% and 30%, depending on usage. Vodafone Ireland has introduced two easy to understand pricing models that will ensure customers can talk without watching the clock. Super Time 300 and Super Time 500 will allow customers to talk longer for less.

Super time 300 offers 300 anytime, any network minutes plus 100 anytime call a friend for free minutes for only EUR69 per month. Super Time 500 offers 500 anytime, any network minutes plus 200 anytime call a friend for free minutes for only EUR99.

Video calling and picture and video messaging will be accessed via the main menu. Video calling will allow customers to see each other while on a video call. To launch this innovative, first to market service, Vodafone is charging video calls at the same price as voice calls on a promotional basis. Picture and video messaging have been improved with better quality pictures that can be sent to camera phones, e-mail or the web. Customers will be able to take higher quality video messages due to better camera resolutions and record, send and receive video clips of up to one minute. Prices for picture and video messages will vary from 19 cent to 69 cents according to size.

New content services will be accessed via the Video and Audio icon on the Vodafone live! 3G menu. Here customers will be able to view the range and check costs in advance.

For unlimited access to Barclays Premiership goals, match previews and post-match interviews, soccer fans can subscribe for EUR9.99 per month. To launch the services, subscription will be absolutely free until February 2005.

The MTV Music subscription service costs EUR7.99 per month and will offer access to MTV live lounge and making the video. Customers will also be able to subscribe to Movie of the Month for EUR4.99 and enjoy the month's big film release including trailers, bloopers and behind the scenes interviews. This service will also be absolutely free until February 2005. This month's movie is the box-office biggie, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

Individual clips can also be downloaded for between 50 cent and EUR2, depending on the content. Customers will choose from music videos, showbiz news, cartoon clips and news round-ups as well as live news from Sky via live! TV again, free until March 2005.

3D games will afford a catalogue of Vodafone favourites as well as new games with better graphics, sound and depth, providing a better all-round gaming experience. 3D games will be priced at EUR5 or EUR7.

In addition, Vodafone Ireland has signed 3G roaming agreements with 13 networks in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. This will allow Vodafone Ireland customers to access their usual Vodafone live! with 3G services seamlessly while abroad.

Martin Wells, Head of Content Services, Vodafone Ireland said, "Vodafone is the first operator in Ireland to offer customers the opportunity to experience the next generation of mobile communications, powered by 3G. We are delighted to announce a range of exciting new content from the very best and biggest national and international brands from the worlds of music, entertainment and sport as well as great value voice calls and the best available handsets at affordable prices. With over 430,000 existing Vodafone live! customers already enjoying content-rich services, Ireland is now ready for 3G."