Vodafone Hungary launches full-blown 3G service

On 8 June Vodafone Hungary launched its full-blown commercial 3G mobile service in the capital Budapest. Although the operator’s launch is almost nine months later than its domestic rivals, it is convinced its cautious approach will pay dividends in the long run. The cellco says it will have a ‘clear advantage with handsets’ which it claims have better features and a longer battery life than others on the market. The problems of very short battery times have dogged existing 3G phones offered by T-Mobile Hungary and Pannon. However, they are nonetheless making full use of their head start and both report rising demand for 3G services, including an upsurge of interest from residential customers.