Sony Partners with Vodafone as “Preferred” PS Vita 3G Supplier in EU

Sony has today announced that it has teamed up with Vodafone in a partnership which sees the mobile phone network become the “preferred” supplier of 3G data to its upcoming PlayStation Vita handheld. Starting out in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, and with Vodafone’s French partners, the deal will see those that purchase the 3G version of Vita with a Vodafone chip grab a free PlayStation Network voucher for WipEout 2048. Selected stores will be selling the Vita with a Vodafone chip.

Vodafone is only the preferred network, though, so not to worry if you are in an area of poor coverage — you can use other network provider’s chips in the device. The £279 3G Vita will enable gamers to enjoy the social features that come with the device, such as Near and Party features, as well as allowing them to be connected to their favourite social networks such as Twitter.

“With social gaming and connectivity at the heart of PlayStation Vita it is important that we partner with a market leading network provider, to ensure users have a high quality 3G experience.” said Jim Ryan, President & CEO of SCEE. “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.”

“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. Using the device over Vodafone’s high-performance network with extensive 3G reach and market leading download speeds brings a reliable ‘anywhere anytime’ dimension to gaming, which customers in our initial ten launch markets will be the first to experience”.

Vodafone hasn’t announced any details about the price plans for the Vita, apart from the fact that they will be “flexible meeting the needs of all users”, but is expected to do so in the run-up to release date.

PS Vita releases in Japan on December 17 and in Europe on February 22, 2012. 

Thanks, Spong.