Tue, Nov 22, 2011 | 06:10 GMT
Sony announces Vodafone as Vita EU 3G partner
Sony’s announced that Vodafone has been selected as the “preferred partner” for Playstation Vita’s 3G services in Europe.
Vita’s European 3G plan
Vodafone is announced as a “preferred relationship,” but you’ll be able to use other networks as well.
The handheld will come with Vodafone 3G sim cards as standard, but you’ll get a free download code for Wipeout 2048 if you choose to buy with the company instead of a specialist outlet.
Contract details will be announced in due course by Vodafone.
The 3G Vita will set you back $299 (US), €299 (mainland Europe) and £279 (UK).
UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands, as well as “Vodafone’s Partners in France,” will be the countries initially included in the offer.
But the 3G connectivity isn’t locked to Vodafone, enabling use of other networks if the option is available to you.
3G units of Vita will be sold at non-Vodafone stores, and will come with a Vodafone sim card that will enable its 3G features. Consumers will also able to pick up their model via Vodafone shops or online. Those who go with Vodafone will get a free download code for Wipeout 2048.
The 3G system, as previously announced, will cost $299 in the US, €299 in mainland Europe and £279 in the UK.
“With social gaming and connectivity at the heart of PlayStation Vita it is important that we partner with a market leading network provider, to ensure users have a high quality 3G experience,” said SCEE CEO, Jim Ryan. “Partnering with Vodafone will enable PS Vita users in the selected countries to always be connected with their PlayStation life, friends and games, wherever they are.”
Vodafone’s group terminals director, Patrick Chomet, added: “We know from our application downloads that games are hugely popular with our customers, so we’re delighted to be SCEE’s preferred connectivity partner for 3G Vita devices sold across Europe and other selected regional markets.
“Using the device over Vodafone’s high-performance network with extensive 3G reach and market leading download speeds brings a reliable ‘anywhere anytime’ dimension to gaming, which customers in our initial ten launch markets will be the first to experience.”
In the US, AT&T was announced as Vita’s 3G partner back at E3 in June. At TGS in September, Sony unveiled NTT Docomo as its partner for Japan, introducing a clever pre-pay 3G system for the handheld.
PlayStation Vita launches on February 22 in Europe, but releases in Japan first on December 17.
14 comments
#1
Gama_888
21/11/11, 2:33 pm
Sounds Great, If i decide to pick up the 3G version ill definately get it from vodafone.
Free Wipeout? Sold.
#2
Erthazus
21/11/11, 2:51 pm
Vodafone?
Oh yes. If 3G deals will be good, i will probably buy 3G model.
#3
KAP
21/11/11, 2:52 pm
Hmmm.. Random.
#4
Haseef
21/11/11, 3:39 pm
Vodafone is a market leader in the UK?
They should’ve partnered with Tesco Mobile :/
#5
Deacon
21/11/11, 4:26 pm
would’ve preferred O2, but it could be a lot worse..
#6
Lounds
21/11/11, 5:12 pm
Think I will just enable Wi-fi hotspot on my phone and teather my PSV to it instead of using vodaphone. o2 and Orange are the best for signal in UK.
#7
Chufty
21/11/11, 5:29 pm
Or you could just use your O2 or Orange sim as the article clearly indicates is possible.
#8
Lounds
21/11/11, 5:45 pm
Why would I take the sim out of my phone? Unless the PSV can do phone calls, which it can’t.
#9
Colin Gallacher
21/11/11, 8:04 pm
@8 I imagine it can make Skype calls over 3G
#10
Lounds
21/11/11, 9:45 pm
@9 so you think they can offer a could data plan that can beat the likes of Three?
#11
Colin Gallacher
21/11/11, 10:46 pm
@10 It’s vodafone so…no.
I just changed to 3 from Vodafone actually for the iPhone 4S. 3 have 3G all over my area which is still quite impressive among the mobile networks. I’ve been able to get a solid 3mbps download on the all you can eat data plan.
I imagine Vodafone’s vita plan will be similar to their iPad plans though. Pricey though.
#12
Christopher Jack
21/11/11, 10:50 pm
Hopefully we don’t get Vodafone down here, they have by far the worst coverage outta the big 3 & Telstra has the worst pricing structure. I personally hope Optus will be Sony’s Aus partner for the PSV.
#13
Christopher Jack
22/11/11, 2:53 am
Never mind, I had a proper read & noticed that Vodafone will cover Australia too
#14
Daodan
22/11/11, 8:42 am
@12: That’s not TOO bad, if you live in a major city… o.O
No I know what you mean, I’ve been in Oz for a while and Vodafone just sucks down there.