LONDON-Vodafone AirTouch plc said it awarded Ericsson a contract to supply General Packet Radio Service in Britain, the Netherlands and Greece. Vodafone UK, Libertel in the Netherlands and Panafon in Greece will be the first Vodafone wireless networks to integrate GPRS into their Global System for Mobile communications networks.
The carriers will field test the technology in early 2000, with commercial release due in third-quarter 2000. GPRS, a packet-switched technology, will allow wireless customers to access services such as train timetables, directions and local maps, and online shopping.
“The simultaneous introduction of GPRS technology to the Vodafone AirTouch networks of Vodafone UK, Libertel and Panafon will not only offer our customers true wireless Internet capability for the first time, but also GPRS roaming,” said Peter Bamford, chief executive officer of Vodafone UK.
