Handsets from €169, premiership goals for €2, 3D games from €5, movie downloads for €4.99 and video/picture messages from 25 cent. These are some of the prices that Vodafone will charge for its 3G products and services, the company announced this morning.
The cost of handsets will range from €169 for the Motorola V980 for contract users through to €319 for the Sony Ericsson V80. These will be in stores before Christmas, while Europe’s first 2MP camera phone, the Sharp V902, at €379, will be available in the New Year.
Prices for picture and video messages will vary from 19 cent (up to 100kb in size) to 69 cent (more than 100k). Long text messages (more than 160 characters) will be charged at 19 cent.
In terms of voice services, Vodafone said that customers would save between 10pc and 30pc, depending on usage. The network has introduced two pricing models. Super-Time 300 offers 300 any time, any network minutes plus 100 any time ‘call a friend for free’ minutes for €69 per month. Super-Time 500 offers 500 any time, any network minutes plus 200 any time ‘call a friend for free’ minutes for €99.
Video calls will be charged at the same price as voice calls on a promotional basis. Barclays Premiership goals can be seen for €2 each or users can take out a subscription to view goals as well as match previews and post-match interviews for €9.99 per month. Subscription will be free until February 2005. The MTV Music subscription service costs €7.99 per month and will offer access to MTV Live Lounge and Making the Video. Customers will also be able to subscribe to Movie of the Month for €4.99. Again, this service will be free until February 2005.
Individual video, news and cartoon clips can also be downloaded for between 50 cent and €2, depending on the content, while 3D games will be priced at €5 or €7.
Commenting on the range of services on offer, Martin Wells, head of content services, Vodafone Ireland, said: “We are delighted to announce a range of exciting new content from the very best and biggest national and international brands from the worlds of music, entertainment and sport as well as great value voice calls and the best available handsets at affordable prices.”
By Brian Skelly
