Vodafone announces today that seven of its European operators now offer visiting Vodafone customers the ability to top up their pre-paid mobile phones when abroad. More than 44 million Vodafone customers are now able to use local Vodafone vouchers to top up abroad. Additional Vodafone operators will offer this service in the near future. Vodafone pre-paid customers who run out of credit whilst abroad now have the security of knowing that they can purchase vouchers to top up their phone in any one of over a quarter of a million retail outlets across seven countries: Germany, Greece*, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

The top up method is the same as the home experience: customers simply buy a voucher with cash locally and dial the same top up number as they would at home. Furthermore, the free top up call will take place in the customer’s own language. Travelling or holidaying Vodafone pre-paid customers can already use their mobiles to talk and text seamlessly in up to 19 Vodafone and affiliated networks with more networks being added all the time. Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone, said: “Being able to top up your pre-paid phone with cash whilst abroad demonstrates how Vodafone is leading the market in continually expanding mobile services which address the desires of our customers. “All of our services are designed to be easy to use in a borderless world. Our pre-paid customers can already use their mobiles when abroad as if they’re using them at home. Now they can top up just as easily, enabling them to stay connected while on holiday.”

SEVEN will be pre-loading its mobile email solutions beyond high-end smartphones on an array of consumer-friendly mobile phones for 3 customers. The first consumer-friendly device to include SEVEN’s solution is the Sony Ericsson W660i offered by 3, the UK’s leading mobile media company offering a convergence of communications, entertainment and information. 3 has 4.1 million customers in the UK and Ireland.“3 provides its users with the mobile services and applications we all need on the devices we all want,” said Ross Bott, President and CEO of SEVEN. “We are proud to partner with an innovative brand like 3 to integrate our mobile messaging solutions on the Sony Ericsson W660i, allowing a broader base of 3’s subscribers to access their email on the go and furthering our goal to provide mobile email access to everyone.”

Mobile Mail, powered by SEVEN, is easy to access on the Sony Ericsson W660i, with the application built into the messaging menu allowing users to access their email within a few keystrokes — making it easier to access email on a mobile than on a PC. The W660i comes with a Walkman® player 2.0, allowing users to create their own playlists, view original album art on their phone screen and customize their music experience. The phone also features a 2 Megapixel camera. “By building 3’s Mobile Mail, powered by SEVEN, into the messaging menu of the Sony Ericsson W660i it is easier than ever before for users to access their email on their mobile phone,” said John Harber, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Sony Ericsson.

“We are excited to provide this increased accessibility on a device known for its music-centric experience – providing users with the best of functionality and entertainment on a consumer-friendly device. ”SEVEN powers 3’s Mobile Office Mail and Mobile Mail solutions, providing its users easy access to their mobile email accounts from the convenience of their mobile phone. Mobile Mail, offered with 3’s X-Series packages, provides users with real-time access to their email from popular email services such as AOL Mail, Earthlink, Gmail and Yahoo! Mail – making it easy to access mobile email as a consumer or a professional. Mobile Mail is easy to set up, requiring users to log-in only once for continued access to their email, contacts and calendar on one or more accounts, Mobile Office Mail provides users with a push-based mobile email service in real-time with access to Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino email accounts as well access to calendar, personal contacts and corporate directories.

- Nokia announced the world’s first 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) compliant mobile phone operating both in the GSM 900/1800 frequencies and on the WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) protocol. One of the benefits of the WCDMA radio interface in the Nokia 6650 phone is it allows running more than one data session simultaneously.This makes it possible, for example, to capture and share what the user sees whilst talking on the phone. The dual-mode functionality makes the Nokia 6650 phone the world’s first GSM/WCDMA handset to work in Europe and Asia including Japan.

The first deliveries for operator-controlled live network tests of the Nokia 6650 phone will start during fourth quarter, 2002. Depending on the WCDMA networks’ opening schedules and the maturity of the interoperability between networks, services and terminals , the first commercial deliveries of the Nokia 6650 are estimated to start during first half of 2003.The Nokia 6650 phone offers robust functionality with pocket size comfort. Encompassing a large color display, integrated camera with picture and video capture, as well as voice, multiple data connectivity options and an advanced user interface, this innovative product is ideally suited to anyone who desires a mobile phone that combines leading-edge functionality with a high quality feel.

The most anticipated album of the year - ‘X’ by Kylie - will be exclusively available to download from the newly launched Nokia Music Store on 21st November. The release marks the first time ever a Kylie album will be available digitally prior to general release.
Fans of the iconic pop songstress, who has clocked up an incredible 43 hit singles in a career spanning three decades, will be able to get their hands on her tenth studio album first priced at £8. The new album follows hot on the heels of the hit single ‘2 Hearts’ that has been available to download through the Nokia Music Store since the 5th November.
Kylie’s album ‘X’ sits alongside over two million tracks from major artists, independent labels and up-and-coming UK acts in the Nokia Music Store. With a single account, music lovers can access the Nokia Music Store via their desktop computer or directly from optimised Nokia devices, beginning with the Nokia N81 and Nokia N95 8GB. Individual tracks cost 80p each, with albums from £8.

The Nokia Music Store also offers a monthly subscription for PC streaming for £8. Richard Sandford, Regional Manager, Nokia Music UK & Ireland, said: “Less than a month on from launch, the Nokia Music Store is already bringing the best music to fans in the way they want, when they want it. Kylie’s new album is one of the hottest releases this year - and you can expect plenty more exciting exclusives to come.

We are delighted to be able partner with Parlophone in making this exclusive Kylie offer”. Miles Leonard, Managing Director of Parlophone, said: “Our partnership with the Nokia Music Store enables EMI to reach music fans in new ways, by giving them instant access to great music direct to their mobile phone or PC.”