14th Feb 2006 09:00
Vodafone Group Plc14 February 2006 14 February 2006 VODAFONE AND GOOGLE TEAM TO CREATE INNOVATIVE MOBILE SEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR MOBILE PHONE USERS Vodafone today announced that it is collaborating with Google to developinnovative mobile search services for its customers. Vodafone will integrate Google's search capability into its consumer service,Vodafone live!, providing customers with the most relevant information, whereverthey are and whatever time of day it is. Google's search results will be delivered through Vodafone's high speed datanetworks. Combining Vodafone's mobile expertise with Google's search capabilitywill ensure that customers can quickly and easily find what's relevant to them.The new service will offer simultaneous search both on Vodafone live! and thewider Web. Vodafone's integration of Google search will take the mobile internet to a newlevel. Vodafone live! was the first mobile service to make data services easilyaccessible to mobile customers. Whether checking the weather, looking for arestaurant or getting the most up-to-date news, consumers want search servicesthat meet their everyday needs. Alan Harper, Group Strategy Director, Vodafone, said: "Innovative mobile search will become increasingly important as fast and easyaccess to information and services are increasingly demanded by customers on themove. Together, Vodafone and Google will focus on creating the best mobilesearch service in the market, helping to bring the mobile internet to life. Ourcustomers will be able to find relevant information and services faster, makingthe Vodafone live! customer experience even better. Our intention is to developour relationship with Google to ensure Vodafone customers continue to have thevery best in mobile services." Nikesh Arora, Vice President, European Operations, Google Inc., said: "As people become more mobile, it's increasingly important that we can providethem with access to information when on-the-go. Google understands that mobilephone users are looking for more than a desktop replacement - they want directlyrelevant content, quickly. Vodafone has long been a pioneer in providing mobiledata services to its customers and we believe that by working together we willensure a user friendly experience for mobile users." Vodafone and Google will be holding a joint press conference at 1400 to 1500 CETat the GSMA Seminar Theatre, Hall 5, Level 2. The press conference will bepresented by Alan Harper, Group Strategy Director, Vodafone Group and NikeshArora, Vice President, European Operations, Google Inc. - ends - About Vodafone Vodafone provides a full range of mobile telecommunications services, includingvoice and data communications. Vodafone has equity interests in 27 countries andPartner Networks in a further 31 countries, with a proportionate customer baseof over 179 million. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com About Google Inc. Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around theworld with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. studentsLarry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all majorglobal markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of allsizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience forusers. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout theAmericas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com Media Contacts: Vodafone Media RelationsTel: +44 (0)1635 664444 Rachel WhetstoneGoogle Inc.Tel: +44 (0) 20 7031 [email protected] (c) Vodafone Group 2006. VODAFONE, Vodafone live! and the Vodafone logos aretrade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentionedherein may be the trade marks of their respective owners. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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