Europe : Vodafone is starting to make available third generation mobile / UMTS services in Portugal. At this first stage, access to 3G technology will be available only to a limited number of users in Lisbon and Oporto, mainly Vodafone staff and selected business partners and customers.

With the provision of third generation technology, it will be possible to improve many of the information and entertainment services currently available and to offer new services such as video telephony and mobile high speed internet connections up to 384 Kbps – considerably faster than the dial-up connections currently available via the fixed network.

Vodafone is continuing to work jointly with handset suppliers both locally and internationally to ensure the technical development and operability of UMTS phones. The objective is to ensure the necessary quality and quantities that will allow the commercial roll-out of 3G technology in the near future.

Vodafone has always been at the forefront of the development and implementation of non-voice services such as WAP, MMS, Video MMS, Vodafone live! and Mobile Connect Card. It was also the front-runner in the tender for 3G licences and the first operator to demonstrate UMTS services in real time, at the annual telecommunications congress (APDC) on 26 November 2002.