Sony has announced overnight that Vodafone is its preferred partner for 3G data services in Australia and is providing a number of incentives to encourage consumers to choose Vodafone over other 3G networks.
It’s worth noting that the PlayStation Vita isn’t locked to any one service, users can use any carrier they choose, but the 3G version of the Vita will come with a Vodafone SIM card, and a voucher for a free copy of WipEout 2048 that is valid once users begin using the Vodafone 3G service.
Telstra is known to have the most efficient and widespread 3G service in Australia, but we’re assuming that this decision was made by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, and Australia is part of the broader deal.
“With social gaming and connectivity at the heart of PlayStation Vita,” said SCEE CEO Jim Ryan, “it is important that we partner with a market leading network provider, to ensure users have a high quality 3G experience.
“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, as you’d expect, is pretty happy with its end of the bargain.
“We want our customers to have the best choice of devices and PlayStation Vita is a great addition to our range,” said Patrick Chomet, Vodafone’s Group Terminals Director.
“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.”
Personally, I’m leaning more towards avoiding 3G altogether, considering the Wi-Fi version of the PlayStation Vita already feels like a better deal. The 3G version retails at $449.95, while the simple bare bones Wi-Fi Vita is $349.95.
Considering the US are only paying $50 more for a 3G enabled Vita, the $100 Australian disparity feels a little much.
Sony partners with Vodafone for Vita [Gamesindustry.biz]
Thom
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:34 AMObviously tge capability of the network to actually provide a stable connection didn’t factor into Sony’s decision here anymore than.in the US. Thank god its not locked.
Zap
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:35 AMSame – no need for anything but wifi
Glenn
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:35 AMTelstra probably wanted to charge customers an arm and a leg for the better quality service, but Sony wanted to make it more available and Vodafail will offer it cheap.
Thank god they’re not locking the devices to Vodafone though… not that it matters, I’m still getting a wifi one.
jim_gun
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:35 AMvodaphone is literally the worst
SRG
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:43 AMEh… they suck at some (many?) things, but they have their advantages, too.
Martin
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:30 AMWhat advantages does Vodaphone offer??? Pray tell…
Michael
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:50 AMUmmm….uhhh…it’s…uhh…
Yeah I got nothing.
They’re cheap but that’s about all they have going for them. And even that’s not really an advantage with Optus and even Telstra offering very competitive pricing now, with much better coverage and service.
SRG
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:41 AMTHe one that keeps me with them is that international calls come out of your cap, instead of being a charge tacked onto the bill. I make a LOT of international calls, that’s a big deal for me.
SOX
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:45 AMThat must be new because I am 100% certain when I was on Vodafone for the two years (up until mid way through this year) they added the international calls on top of your bill. Probably just a different plan though, was on the $79 per month at the time.
Martin
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:32 PMI use VOIP for my international calls BUT I’m going the non 3G route. Didn’t Sony also go with vodaphone in the US?
SRG
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:56 PMYeah may have been a diff plan. I was on the SIM-only $55 for a year or so, now on the $59 contract and still effectively not paying for INTL calls.
dmag87
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:28 AMMy Vodafone Nexus S can’t access 3G in my house, or my university. I have vowed never to go with them again. What’s the use paying a bit less and having no service in the places you actually need it? Telstra are hard to deal with, but at least you get what you pay for.
SOX
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:47 AMI made the switch (vodafone -> telstra) once my contract allowed I could and honestly the internet is amazing, way better and faster than I could of hoped.
bazuden
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:37 AMUsing the Vodafone network just makes the 3G Vita all the more pointless.
Braaains
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:51 AMI’ve got no problem with this deal provided the console isn’t actually locked (which, according to the story, it isn’t). I don’t really care if Sony want to include Vodafone in the box as long as people are free to choose whatever network they like.
syvRaen
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:54 AMThis really is the best approach. Offering positive incentives should always be a priority over locking your customer out of choice. You want your customers to choose you, not be stuck with you.
Sam
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:10 AMLast I checked Vodafone were thieving bastards, did that go down in court yet?
rfa
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:11 AMHopefully this means I can add it to my plan for $10/month
Ridort
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:13 AMI had a Vodafone phone once. I got shitty reception everywhere I went, so I changed to Telstra. Now I can actually make phone calls from within my own house.
tldr; fuck Vodafone and their non existent service.
BC
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:15 AMJust remember, Vodafones HSPA 850MHz network is currently being rolled out. How it will compare to Telstra, I don’t know.
BC
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:16 AMWas supposed to remove the HSPA from my comment. One, it’s not HSPA (it’s wrong) and two, I don’t think it’s supposed to be there.
Made an error :(
EnjoyMedway
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:19 AMI just want to remove temptation, so no 3G for me!
Mase
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:21 AMWifi all the way! (Unless Optus can cut me a deal)
RobbyM
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:26 AMLooking at many online comments, people are reporting the Vodafone 850mhz network continues Vodafails record at delivering sub-standard speed and connectivity issues.
noko
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:28 AMBlegh, why Vodafail? Good luck maintaining a stable 3g connection in the outer suburbs.
shodannet
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:35 AMWow… Thats just… I cant wait for them to demonstrate the awesomeness of the Vodafone network with the Vita…
Pioneer
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:42 AMI used Vodafone for text messages. Some of them got through quickly.
Chris
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:41 PMYeah and some went to the totally wrong people… Hahahaha fuck vodaphone a shit this announcent is the funniest in a while!
Effluvium Boy
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:43 AMNever had a problem with Vodafone.
Still not sure about the 3G device… What’s the value of Wipeout 2048?
oggob
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:56 AMRRP prices haven’t been announced yet, but betting men would suggest they would be around the same price as 3DS games and/or PSP games when they were first out.
$60-$70
Chazz
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:12 AMSame. I’ve always got good reception, even in areas that generally have bad reception. My 3G works without issue.
NegativeZero
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:46 AMVodaphail? Really? Thank god it’s not locked.
Actually, thank god that my phone is getting an update to enable wifi tethering next month.
N3RD1001101
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:04 PMAs for me, im up for a bulk US import buy of the WiFi version with other Kotaku readers… Once again we get screwed down under….
as for Vodaphone, WTH… Im with you -0, ill be getting a WiFi version and just tethering… or i have my wifi portable broadband modem that is unlocked
AlexG
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:18 PMI’m in a major CBD and can’t even get 3G reception with Voda.
This just smells of massive fail.
Digtrio
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 5:12 PMWell, there we go. Definitely not getting a 3G model now. I’ve had a Vodafone phone and an internet dongle and would literally go a week or more with no to little reception. It’s bullshit.
There was even a time where I had to recharge via a backwards way of copying and pasting the URL because I couldn’t access the Vodafone site because the site used the mobile phone network to access it. It was awfully strange.
MikeZdoesit
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 6:18 PMOptus / Virgin would have been much preferred :(