Tesco Mobile to launch in Hungary

service in Hungary. The partnership will be the first tie-up between Tesco and Vodafone anywhere in the world and will complement the existing Tesco Mobile service in the UK, Ireland and Slovakia.

Tesco is partnering with Vodafone to launch an innovative, new mobile service in Hungary. The partnership will be the first tie-up between Tesco and Vodafone anywhere in the world and will complement the existing Tesco Mobile service in the UK, Ireland and Slovakia.

Tesco Mobile Hungary will be a 50:50 joint venture providing Tesco Mobile branded services in Hungary through Tesco stores and on-line, using Vodafone’s technology and network.

Gerry Gray, CEO Tesco Hungary, said: “This is a very exciting launch for Tesco Hungary. We are constantly looking for new opportunities to offer Hungarian customers value and innovation, and we believe that Tesco Mobile will offer both. In Vodafone we have a partner with the know-how and potential to make Tesco Mobile as successful in Hungary as it is in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.”

Dr. György Beck, chairman and CEO of Vodafone Hungary said:

“We are delighted to work with Tesco and provide them access to the Hungarian mobile market. Combining Tesco’s reach, brand strength and marketing expertise with our modern technology and wide coverage will make Tesco Mobile a successful new mobile player. This joint venture is a mutually strong partnership and will greatly expand the choice available to Hungarian customers.”

Tesco Mobile customers will benefit from the expertise of both Tesco and Vodafone. In addition to a competitive mobile service and range of devices, the nationwide reach of Tesco stores will offer easy access to a highly competitive range of mobile phones and services. Customers will similarly benefit from the ongoing network modernisation of Vodafone in Hungary, offering 99% voice and high speed data coverage by mid 2012.

Ends

For more information please contact Ian Hutchins on 01992 644887.

 

Notes to Editor:

 

Tesco Hungary

Tesco entered Hungary in 1995 through the acquisition of 26 small stores in Gyor, North West Hungary, making Hungary our first business in Central Europe.

Today Tesco Hungary has 205 stores and about 3 million weekly customers.

With over 22,000 members of staff, Tesco is the third largest employer in Hungary behind the Hungarian post office, and MOL. Tesco is the 5th largest tax payer in Hungary.

Tesco Mobile in the UK

Tesco Mobile in the UK is a 50:50 joint venture between Tesco and O2. The company sells exclusively Tesco Mobile branded services in Tesco stores, online and through Tesco Direct, across the UK using O2’s technology and network. It has over 2.6 million customers.

The service gives Tesco Mobile customers value, simplicity and choice, offering them simple, great value tariffs with rewards such as free credit and Clubcard points. It made a strong move into the Pay Monthly market last year and was the first network to offer a range of 12 month contracts for consumers.

Tesco Mobile has been voted the number one mobile network for customer satisfaction for both Pay as you go and Pay Monthly in 2011 by the influential J.D Power and Associates Group and the Best Mobile Service Provider 2011 by consumer group Which?.

Tesco’s partnership with O2 includes the operation of Tesco Mobile in the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.