PR Newswire
Feb 13, 2006 09:38 ET

Vodafone and Microsoft Collaborate to Deliver Comprehensive Email Solution for Business

Vodafone Launches New Windows Mobile Direct Push Email Solution for Business Customers

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at 3GSM World Congress 2006, Vodafone and Microsoft Corp. announced the European launch of Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone. This solution is based on Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile(R) 5.0 and incorporates the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) which includes Direct Push Technology and enhanced security features.

From March, Vodafone will deploy a range of Windows Mobile 5.0-powered devices with Direct Push Technology to corporate and small and medium sized business (SMB) customers in France, Germany and the UK. The service will also be available to corporate and SMB customers in other countries during 2006.

Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone enables customers to enjoy a Direct Push email service on the move in a format that anyone familiar with Microsoft Office will recognize. Emails and tasks are synchronized directly from Outlook(R), and Microsoft Office Excel(R) Mobile and Word Mobile attachments can be viewed, edited and returned. Having a common email experience across the PC and Vodafone Windows Mobile-powered device makes service adoption simple and accelerates delivery of the benefits that mobile email brings to business customers.

As well as delivering a great user experience across a range of the latest Vodafone Windows Mobile-powered devices, Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone easily integrates with customers' Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 software, making Windows Mobile Email a highly cost-effective, scaleable and security- enhanced way to deliver the benefits of email on the move without the need for investment in additional servers or hardware.

"Mobile email is a simple, security-enhanced and easy to set up service which enables customers to remain productive, responsive and organized when out of the office," said Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer at Vodafone. "Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone delivers a mobile email service which seamlessly extends the Microsoft Office desktop environment and rapidly captures the benefits for business that mobile email brings."

"We are delighted to be partnering with Vodafone to deliver a mobile messaging solution for a diverse range of business customers," said Pieter Knook, Senior Vice President, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division and Communications Sector, Microsoft Corp. "It's an exciting time for companies who are now realizing the true business potential of mobile solutions for both the business and for their employees. Our combined teams are focused on delivering the most compelling and innovative mobile solutions to meet these customer demands."

Note to Editors

Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone will be available across a range of devices including the Vodafone v1240 and Vodafone v1640. Additional handsets will be made available at local level.

About Vodafone

Vodafone provides a full range of mobile telecommunications services, including voice and data communications. Vodafone has equity interests in 27 countries and Partner Networks in a further 31 countries, with a proportionate customer base of over 179 million. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com

(C) Vodafone Group 2006. VODAFONE and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft, Windows Mobile, Outlook and Excel are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Source: Vodafone

Web site: http://www.vodafone.com/