Vodafone eyes iPad
Service provider throws hat in the ring
By Nick Spence | PC Advisor | Published: 10:56, 08 February 2010
The latest provider to offer Apple's iPhone in the UK wants the iPad. Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao said he was "very interested" in the iPad, which will be available in the UK in late March for the Wi-fi model, and April for the Wi-fi and 3G option.
"I have not, personally, touched one but I really look forward to it. I believe it is going to be another important piece of the - mobile - data experience. I think anything that improves the customer experience with mobile data is welcome and as such I would be very interested in having it," Colao said.
The company have likely set a good precedent to offer the iPad in the UK. Vodafone started selling the iPhone last month, with over 100,000 sales notched up in just over a week.
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On Thursday, Vodafone reported that revenue from data services exceeded £1 billion for the first time during the last three months of 2010, but that only partially helped offset lower voice revenue.
Vodafone reported revenue of £11.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.3 per cent, for its fiscal third quarter, which ended 30 December. However, organic growth - which excludes favourable exchange rates, for example - was down 2 per cent, according to Vodafone. The telecoms company does not report profit on a quarterly basis.
Apple has yet to announce partners for the iPad in the UK and notes in the small print: "International carrier availability to be announced. 3G data plan may be sold separately."
