Vodafone to sell phones like Coke

Vodafone has taken a lesson from the likes of candy companies and Coca-Cola, and will now be selling some of its pay-as-you-go products through vending machines.

Each QuickPhone kiosk will offer a choice of three phones for sale, for between 30 pounds and 60 pounds ($53.47 and $106.95), as well as SIM (subscriber identity module) card-only packs for 5 pounds ($8.91).

The first two phone-spouting machines will be put up in Vodafone stores in Manchester, the company told Silicon.com. If all goes well, the operator will look to expand the scheme to other locations, potentially including airports, ferry terminals and shopping centers.

Through a 3G or GPRS connection, the phone vending machines will be able to report stock levels and provide alerts, if they have been tampered with.

Tom Devine, Vodafone's head of retail, said the vending machines are aimed at foreign visitors to the United Kingdom, those who need a phone in an emergency and "customers who know what they want and want to get the product as quickly as possible."

Jo Best of Silicon.com reported from London.

Why?

Why Manchester?

If this product is really targeted at tourists- why Manchester? People do NOT go to Manchester for vacation in the UK, nor do they come from around Europe to visit.

London would have been an ideal location to pilot the project (which to me is a nonsensical attempt to be innovative).

Another note- placing a mobile phone vending machine inside a Vodafone shop is like placing an iPod vending machine inside an Apple store - why buy from the machine when you can grab one off the shelf and pay at the counter?

Any other thoughts?

Regards,
Tariq El-Haj Omar

[uparrow]

re:

If it was in London, these machines would disappear within an hour
of installing it.

I hope its made of Titanium....

Why?

Why Manchester?

If this product is really targeted at tourists- why Manchester? People do NOT go to Manchester for vacation in the UK, nor do they come from around Europe to visit.

London would have been an ideal location to pilot the project (which to me is a nonsensical attempt to be innovative).

Another note- placing a mobile phone vending machine inside a Vodafone shop is like placing an iPod vending machine inside an Apple store - why buy from the machine when you can grab one off the shelf and pay at the counter?

Any other thoughts?

Regards,
Tariq El-Haj Omar

[uparrow]

re:

If it was in London, these machines would disappear within an hour
of installing it.

I hope its made of Titanium....

Emergency?

"those who need a phone in an emergency"

If people need a phone in an emergency, surely a payphone would be a better option than shelling out £30+ for a cell phone? This sounds like tech for the sake of tech, not like there is an actual market for it.

Who knows - Vodafone might just make me eat my words but I doubt it.

Emergency?

"those who need a phone in an emergency"

If people need a phone in an emergency, surely a payphone would be a better option than shelling out £30+ for a cell phone? This sounds like tech for the sake of tech, not like there is an actual market for it.

Who knows - Vodafone might just make me eat my words but I doubt it.

[Bueller]

Airport a little better, ya think?

Might work a little better at major entry points, such as airports, as well as at hotels maybe. Just a thought

[Bueller]

Airport a little better, ya think?

Might work a little better at major entry points, such as airports, as well as at hotels maybe. Just a thought

[pokeyzoe]

I agree

If people need a phone in an emergency, just use a payphone. I can't think of any situation where someone would want to buy a phone out of a vending machine at a premium price. I guess maybe if you're wealthy and for some reason you forgot to bring your cell phone with you for a 3 day trip???

[pokeyzoe]

I agree

If people need a phone in an emergency, just use a payphone. I can't think of any situation where someone would want to buy a phone out of a vending machine at a premium price. I guess maybe if you're wealthy and for some reason you forgot to bring your cell phone with you for a 3 day trip???