Europe Portugal : Vodafone Portugal made the first 3G/UMTS voice, videocall and data calls in the 900 MHz frequency band in Portugal. This is one of the first times in the world that such a demonstration has been carried out in a real working environment.

The trial, authorised by the Portuguese communications regulator Anacom, is taking place in the municipality of Penamacor, in the Castelo Branco district. Vodafone is using Nortel Networks network equipment, Qualcomm handsets and Option data cards to support the trial.

UMTS 900 is set to play an important role in mobile communications. The present tests and the technical validation of UMTS 900 are essential stages in determining the potential for implementation of this technology.

Vodafone Portugal believes that the UMTS 900 system will bring significant benefits to customers because it enables mobile broadband communications to be extended rapidly to suburban and rural areas, as well as enhance the coverage and quality of mobile communications for users located inside buildings.

As soon as it is possible in technical and regulatory terms, Vodafone Portugal intends to use UMTS 900 technology on its 3G/UMTS network expansion. Vodafone Portugal has always been at the forefront of new technologies and the development of mobile communications services in Portugal, having pioneered the development of the 2.5G (GPRS) and 3.5G (HSDPA) networks in this market.