Vodafone Signs 3G Handset Partnership With Huawei

Vodafone Group and Huawei Technologies have entered into an agreement that will see the Chinese manufacturer supply exclusive Vodafone-branded consumer 3G handsets for Vodafone across 21 countries for at least 5 years.

The handsets will carry the Vodafone brand only, the first time the company has offered devices branded in this way for the consumer market.

The agreement marks Huawei's first significant entry into the European handset market. Vodafone anticipates offering the first Vodafone-branded, Huawei-manufactured handset, a 3G model, in September 2006.

Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Group said: "This agreement with Huawei shows the cost benefits Vodafone's size and global reach can bring to our customers. We will be able to offer even better 3G phones at more competitive prices across our markets."