www.vodafone.com

Vodafone K.K. announces today that from early September 2005 it will market a new version of its currently available VC701SI Vodafone Connect Card (manufactured by SII) with upgraded firmware to let customers roam on W-CDMA networks overseas at high packet transmission speeds of up to 384kbps for downlinks (on a best effort basis). Marking a first in Japan, this upgrade will enable customers to enjoy mobile internet access abroad on PCs or PDAs using 3G data cards.

The Vodafone Connect Card, which is currently available as the W-CDMA (3G) compatible VC701SI CompactFlash (Type II) data card terminal, was launched in April 2004 exclusively for data usage in Japan, is popular among individuals and business customers in particular. With this upgrade, Vodafone Connect Card can be used on W-CDMA networks in 18 countries and regions in Europe and Asia (on the networks of 20 mobile operators), to support the mobile communications of customers going abroad for business trips. For easy connections while roaming abroad and enhanced ease-of-use, the upgraded Vodafone Connect Card comes bundled with Roaming Tool software (which supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS X).

From early September 2005, Vodafone K.K. will send CD-ROM upgrades which contain the Firmware Upgrade Tool and Roaming Tool, to all customers currently using the VC701SI. The same software tools are also scheduled to be available for download from SII's website in early September.

Vodafone K.K. announced on 11 July that it would revise the price plans for the Vodafone Connect Card on 1 August. With the launch of this international roaming service, Vodafone K.K. will further enhance convenience for Vodafone Connect Card customers.