LONDON-Vodafone Group plc and Japanese handset maker Toshiba announced a strategic partnership to market a range of exclusive third-generation handsets in Europe, Australia, Japan and New Zealand. The relationship marks Toshiba’s entrance into the European mobile-phone market.
The companies will work together to market a range of exclusive 3G handsets starting in the second quarter. The first handset under the new relationship is the Vodafone TS 921, a high-tier multi-functional, tri-band device complete with a 1.9-megapixel camera with auto focus, Vodafone said.
“By building on our existing relationship and experience with Toshiba in Japan, as well as our existing partnerships with some of the world’s leading handset manufacturers, we can offer our customers an even greater range of exclusive Vodafone live! with 3G-enabled handsets,” said Peter Bamford, chief marketing officer of Vodafone.
The deal highlights the increased control wireless carriers are exerting over their handset portfolios.
