Vodafone and Yahoo! to extend their partnership in Europe

Written by Adam Gosling

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Partners to forge closer ties to create a seamless communications experience between the PC and mobile PRESS RELEASE From 3GSM World Congress: Vodafone and Yahoo! have agreed to extend their partnership to bring their instant messaging services to both the mobile phone and PC, providing customers with a seamless mobile Internet communications experience. The integrated communications services will be based on a co-branded application that can work on both PCs and mobile devices. As a result, customers will be able to send messages from PC to mobile and vice versa, while enjoying the benefits of easy access to their contacts and friends. The new service means that customers will be able to use the address book functionality to see whether their friends are online and exchange messages when these friends are either on their PC or mobile devices. “Vodafone announced last year that we would seek to bring the PC and mobile worlds together for our customers, offering them the best of Internet communications on the mobile,” said Frank H Rövekamp, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone. “The partnership of two of the biggest names from the worlds of mobile and Internet is going to greatly accelerate the speed at which customers will receive a seamless communications experience between their PCs and mobiles.” “This partnership is significant as mobile phones play an important role in how customers communicate and stay connected to their Internet community,” said Marco Boerries, Senior Vice President, Connected Life, Yahoo!. “The combined expertise of Vodafone and Yahoo! means that we will be able to deliver an exciting and relevant experience to consumers across both their mobile and PC.” Vodafone and Yahoo! intend to further develop their partnership by exploring the creation of next generation communication services. The companies first established their partnership in November 2006 when Vodafone named Yahoo! their exclusive display advertising partner in the UK. Together the companies are creating an innovative mobile advertising business to enhance the customer experience on mobile phones while providing both companies with a new revenue stream. About Vodafone Vodafone is the world’s leading international mobile communications group with operations in 25 countries across five continents and over 200 million proportionate customers by the end of January 2007, as well as 36 partner networks. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com About Yahoo! Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo!'s mission is to connect people to their passions, their communities, and the world's knowledge. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Related news items Tiny Rugged UMPC WIth Vista -10/10/2007 Consumers Want FMC: Companies Don't See The Benefit -02/10/2007 Nokia Buys Map Company For US$8 Billion -02/10/2007 Seven In Unwired Takeover Bid -26/09/2007 Next-Gen 3G RAZR DownUnder -24/09/2007 Newer news items Goodbye Complexity, Goodbye Wires, Goodbye Boredom ? HELLOMOTO? -13/02/2007 AMD to License Graphics Technology Optimized for Handheld Devices -13/02/2007 Vodafone to offer new eBay mobile service -13/02/2007 Vodafone Live! to offer Google? Maps for mobile alongside Google search -13/02/2007 Microsoft and Vodafone to launch enhanced instant messaging service for PC and mobile use -13/02/2007 Older news items Sony Ericsson Aspires To Be Aspirational Choice -13/02/2007 Exradia Launches A Safe Mobile And Wireless Lifestyle Solution -13/02/2007 Huawei launches its next-generation Convergent Billing Solution at 3GSM -13/02/2007 ip.access' Oyster 3G is 2007's best radio access product -13/02/2007 Roamware Technology Proven In New GSM Association Global Roaming Initiative -13/02/2007 Tag This Now: