STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 26, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- A unique concept in mobile telephony will be offered next year to Swedish grocery chain ICA's customers. The offer is being developed by Europolitan Vodafone and will directly target ICA's 2.8 million active card customers. The concept is being designed with families in mind.
The family concept will include a wide range of basic services and will be easily available, either directly in ICA stores or via the Internet. The pricing structure will be adapted to suit families.
"We are delighted to have found a partnership form that suits both parties. This is a unique opportunity for us to reach ICA's active card customers, who number some 2.8 million," said Jon Risfelt, President and CEO of Europolitan Vodafone.
Just under a year ago, ICA decided against starting up its own mobile telephony operations as a virtual operator. The working partnership with Europolitan Vodafone opens up new opportunities of offering mobile telephony to the company's customers.
"The agreement means that we can give ICA's customers more choice when it comes to mobile communication and also serves to enhance the added value of being an ICA customer. It is also a way for our customers to gain control of their families' mobile telephony costs," says Torbjorn Norberg, ICA Kundkort's marketing manager.
Europolitan Vodafone and ICA plan to have a final offering ready for ICA's customers in the first half year of 2003. Meanwhile, Europolitan Vodafone prepaid cards will be available from ICA and RIMI stores this summer.
Europolitan Vodafone is a mobile operator with a license to build 3G mobile telecoms networks. Our strength lies in our focus on developing international services, service and quality. Europolitan Vodafone employs some 1,500 people and is listed on the Attract 40 list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The company's majority owner is Vodafone of the U.K., with 71 percent of Europolitan Holdings. Private shareholders investment companies and pension funds own the remaining 29 percent.
The Vodafone Group is represented on 5 continents and has more than 200 million mobile telecoms users. In April 2002, Europolitan Vodafone will be changing its name to Vodafone to make it clearer that the company is part of the world's largest telecoms group. Read more at www.europolitan.se/ and www.vodafone.com
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