IT stores become Vodafone resellers

The UK operator has done deals with at least three notebook PC makers - Acer, Lenovo and Dell. These machines will come equipped with a 3G (W-CDMA) modem effectively built inside the machine. Not only is it 3G, but it's also HSDPA (super-fast 3G) or 3G broadband as Vodafone calls it.

Which means that these notebooks are able to receive information at 1.4 Mbit/s and upload at 384 Kbit/s. That should be fast enough even for die-hard email enthusiasts.

The crucial bit is that not a single established mobile name appears on the relevant Vodafone help page. Instead it points potential customers towards: - PC World, Dixons, Comet, Insight, Dabs, Maplin, Systemax, Amazon, Technoworld, Equanet and eBuyer.

Do you then take the machine to your nearest, friendly mobile phone shop? No need. As the Web site says, "Once you've purchased a laptop, please contact Vodafone on 0870 700 053 or 1205 from a Vodafone mobile phone to activate your SIM."

Presumably Vodafone then gives you advice on its available tariffs, which incidentally include the Vodafone Data Travel tariff. This allows you to download up to 100 MB abroad but when you exceed that it costs just £2 per MB.

That's if you are connected to the mobile Web via a Vodafone partner network. Otherwise it's a massive £8.75 per MB.

One wonders how the Carphone Warehouses and Phones4U of this world will react to this one. µ

L'INQ
Voda's 3G broadband help page