MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – April 17, 2001 – Google Inc., developer of the award-winning Google search engine, today announced that it has been selected by the Vodafone Global Platform and Internet Services Group (VGP) as the exclusive search engine provider for its worldwide mobile Internet portal, branded Vizzavi. The Google search engine, which offers Vizzavi users access to more than 1.3 billion web pages, will be integrated with other VGP partner technologies to provide the most comprehensive content and services Internet portal for both desktop PC and wireless users.
This partnership provides a co-branded service offering that integrates Google’s web search engine, web directory, and wireless technology into VGP’s wireless Internet portal. Vizzavi is available now in New Zealand (www.vizzavi.net.nz). Google’s search engine enables Vizzavi users anytime, anywhere access to wireless Internet content and services.
"Our objective is to deliver the maximum Internet user experience," said Tomas Isaakson, President and CEO of Vodafone Global Platform and Internet Services. "With Google, we plan to expedite this by offering consumers an exciting and useful array of content and services."
"The integration of Google’s powerful search technology with Vodafone’s network of mobile Internet portal sites enables users to take advantage of Google’s easy-to-use and highly relevant search engine anytime and anywhere," said Larry Page, CEO and co-founder of Google. "Together with Vodafone, Google is providing users around the globe with access to the best search experience possible."
About Vodafone Group Plc
Vodafone Group Plc is the world’s largest wireless communications firm, headquartered in the United Kingdom. "Vodafone" has mobile operations in 30 countries on five continents, with more than 83.4 million proportionate mobile customers. www.Vodafone.com
About The Vodafone Global Platform and Internet Services Group
The Vodafone Global Platform and Internet Services Group (VGP) is a division within the Vodafone Group Plc. The VGP offers innovative wireless Internet services to Vodafone’s mobile affiliates on five continents under its mobile Internet portal brand, "Vizzavi." www.vizzavi.com
About Google Inc.
With the largest index of websites available on the World Wide Web and the industry’s most advanced search technology, Google Inc. delivers the fastest and easiest way to find relevant information on the Internet. Google’s technological innovations have earned the company numerous industry awards and citations, including two Webby Awards; WIRED magazine’s Reader Raves Award; Best Internet Innovation and Technical Excellence Award from PC Magazine; Best Search Engine on the Internet from Yahoo! Internet Life; Top Ten Best Cybertech from TIME magazine; and Editor’s Pick from CNET. A growing number of companies worldwide, including Yahoo!, AOL/Netscape, and Cisco Systems, rely on Google to power search on their websites. A privately held company based in Mountain View, Calif., Google’s investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sequoia Capital. More information about Google can be found on the Google site at www.google.com.
Google Contacts:
Sophie Nguyen
(650) 930-3562
sophie@google.com
David Krane
(650) 930-3596
dkrane@google.com
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Google is a trademark of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
