Vodafone says that it will launch two new own branded mobile phones to grow its range of own branded mobile phones launched over the last year. The Vodafone 227 and Vodafone 228 will launch this month and will be available across both Europe and emerging markets. The launch of these mobile phones follows the successful introduction of seven own branded handsets by Vodafone throughout 2007, which today make up on average one in six of the mobile devices shipped by Vodafone annually.

The Vodafone 227 is a clamshell phone and the Vodafone 228 is a slider mobile. In addition to core text and voice services, both come with a colour display, vibrating alert and headset.

"Over the last 18 months we have launched our own branded handsets - the Vodafone 125, 225, 226 and the 226 FM radio variant, 710, 715, 720 and 810. These have been very successful not just in emerging markets but also in the European pre-pay market," said Jens Schulte-Bockum, Global Director of Terminals for Vodafone. "The concept of offering stylish and affordable handsets that are quick and easy to use is certainly appealing to a wide range of customers, especially those who are purchasing and using a mobile for the very first time. We are delighted to be building on this success by introducing two new handsets to the range, demonstrating our commitment to making mobile devices and services available to all."

To enhance the appeal of Vodafone's own branded handset range Vodafone also plans to introduce stronger brand style guidelines to ensure a consistent look and feel in the design of each of the handsets that come into the range from the middle of this year. The guidelines comprise of physical design elements that will identify the device as a Vodafone handset coupled with a consistent keypad typeface and layout. There also include consistencies in the design of the user interface from handset to handset, including the use of the same icons used for navigating between applications.

Jens continues: "The new brand guidelines are a natural step in the progression of our own brand strategy. It will ensure that Vodafone handsets we launch in future are distinctive and consistent in their look and feel and familiar to customers who start to upgrade through the Vodafone range. This move is especially important in our emerging markets where it provides an added way to differentiate our brand to new customers, and which we expect in turn to stimulate revenue."

Posted to the site on 11th February 2008

Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/29198.php