Vodafone and DSG are joining forces, and Voda will be sell its range of voice and data services for small business customers through 30 DSG stores such as PC World.

 

The partnership will initially see 30 Vodafone Connectivity Centres integrated into PC World stores, with the intention to roll out to further stores. PC World is the UK’s leading chain of computing superstores and the UK’s leading manufacturer of own-brand PCs. Under the  agreement, Vodafone UK will sell its range of mobile and voice and data services through the Vodafone Connectivity Centres in PC World stores.

DSGi and Vodafone have also committed to working together to investigate ways in which IT service and support can be improved for Vodafone small business and SOHO customers through DSGi’s digital support service for the 21st century home – The TechGuys. The TechGuys, formed in September 2006, offer a digital support service to UK homes via field engineers and specialist call-centre based technicians. The TechGuys service is available to customers irrespective of where they buy their technology. There are currently 3,000 fully qualified TechGuys offering services nation-wide, with an additional 2,000 expected to join the TechGuys team over the next three years.

John Clare, chief executive of DSG international, said: “I am very pleased to announce this important agreement with Vodafone. The worlds of computing and mobile communications are integrating rapidly and this partnership will leverage PC World’s strengths in computing with Vodafone’s mobile know-how. Our common ground is a substantial client base in the small business sector and we believe that our combined services will offer exceptional expertise and value to our business customers.”

Kyle Whitehill, director of Vodafone UK’s Enterprise Business Unit, said: “We’re very pleased to have reached this agreement with DSGi and PC World, the UK’s leading computer superstore chain. Over the past year, Vodafone has set out its strategy to enhance the range of services it offers its enterprise customers and to widen its offering to small business customers in particular. This agreement is a significant step along that journey and is great news for small business customers of both our companies.”