New Service From Europolitan Vodafone Allows Small Companies to Go Wireless.

Business Editors

KARLSKRONA, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2001

A new version of Europolitan Vodafone's (OMX: EURO.) Wireless Office is now available to small companies, enabling them to get rid of their fixed telephones. The new Wireless Office will be simpler and more cost effective, since companies avoid the cost of purchasing and operating switch equipment. Employees out in the field no longer need two phones, one mobile and one fixed. And even the switch telephonist can now be mobile and need not be in the office to handle calls.

The Wireless Office is now available to everyone, opening up tremendous opportunities to all companies that currently have to carry substantial maintenance costs for switches and double telephones for their employees. The new Wireless Office allows small companies to construct their own office switch functionality without requiring switch equipment. The service is a wireless all-in-one solution that is designed to replace all previous fixed corporate telephony.

"Our new service presents a challenge to fixed telephony and opens up new opportunities for small companies to benefit from the mobility offered by wireless offices," says Jon Risfelt, President and CEO of Europolitan Vodafone.

Customers have access to all the functions of a traditional telephony solution, plus numerous mobile services, such as sending and receiving e-mail, both as text and voice messages, SMS, mobile fax and mobile data. The service also offers permanent number series, speed-dial numbers, transfer capabilities, voice mailboxes and conference calls.

"It provides customers with so much more than hassle-free switch functionality. This telephony solution enhances the mobility and flexibility of employees, thus benefiting the entire company's operations," says Johan Svensson, Product Manager for the new Wireless Office at Europolitan Vodafone.

The new service is based on Europolitan Vodafone's GSM services, software from Trio that is installed on a regular PC, and regular mobile telephones. The switch attendant can use a portable or desktop PC and a headset when providing switch services. The computer does not have to be connected to a network, thus allowing the telephonist complete mobility. If the telephonist is not stationed at the computer, the calls can be connected directly using their mobile telephone.

The new Wireless Office for small companies targets firms with up to 75 employees and is the latest subscription form in Europolitan Vodafone's Wireless Office for All corporate concept. The concept includes other services, such as the Wireless Office for large companies with or without in-house switches. The Wireless Office for small companies can be purchased directly from Europolitan Vodafone retailers.

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 1,400 people and is listed on the Attract 40 list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange through its parent company, Europolitan Holdings AB. The company's majority owner is Vodafone of the UK, with 71 per cent of Europolitan Holdings AB. Private shareholders, investment companies and pension funds own the remaining 29 per cent. The Vodafone Group is represented on 5 continents and has around 93 million customers (proportional number of customers calculated on the basis of ownership). For more information, please visit www.europolitan.se and www.vodafone.com.