Computer makers put Vodafone in the box

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 25 Nov 2002 at 15:28

Vodafone-configured equipment to ease GPRS connection for IT departments

Vodafone has signed global deals with a number of leading computer manufacturers to the 'Connected by Vodafone' initiative. Devices such as notebooks, tablet PCs and PDAs will come with an out-of-the-box Vodafone connection to GPRS services.

Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Toshiba have all agreed to 'Connected by Vodafone'. their mobile computing equipment to business already set up for secure access to corporate email, intranets, databases and other key networks.

A spokesperson for Vodafone told us: 'The benefit of Connected by Vodafone is that it simplifies purchasing decisions - rather than having to make one decision with your equipment supplier and another with a network operator, all the purchasing agreements can be signed off in one lump.'

Support is also merged. Should something go wrong, customers can go straight to the equipment supplier who will decide whether the problem is to do with the equipment or the network.

Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone, said: 'By [our] partnering with IT vendors to integrate, configure and test mobile access at the point of manufacture, business customers can now purchase an integrated mobile hardware device in the knowledge that it will be fully supported by their supplier.'

The Vodafone spokesperson told us that tariffs for data services to business customers will be dealt with on a case by case scenario.

IBM is already offering its ThinkPad line of notebooks with connectivity from a Nokia D211 GPRS PCMCIA card and a 'Connected by Vodafone' set-up.

Vodaphone says the service will be launched in Vodafone's European territories, but will be expanded globally.