Vodafone Smart Store Opens In Budapest On 18 November

Photo: Special Smart Store Brick Wall

The popularity of smart phones in Europe has increased dramatically (to 21.7%) in the second quarter. In England seven out of ten newly purchased telephones are new generation cell phones.

In the Hungarian mobile telecommunications sector Vodafone took on a pioneer role last year when it enabled the majority of its subscribers to access the 21st Century experience of using mobile internet services and applications with the introduction of Vodafone 845.

With its newest store, the Smart Store opened on the Budapest Fashion Street, Vodafone is once again undertaking an evangelistic role.

Photo: Dr. György Beck president of Vodafone Hungary and Antal Rogán mayor of 5th district of Budapest cut the ribbon at the opening of the Smart Store.

György Beck, President of Vodafone Hungary said at the grand opening: "We timed it right: for Christmas we shall not only give the wider public the acropolis of smart phones at the Smart Store, but also our renewed network nearly all over the country, plus our mobile internet network spiced up to double speed and optimised for use by the new generation mobile tools.

In the past 8 months we have completed the technical developments in 16 Hungarian counties, thereby modernising a total of 1500 stations and building 75 new stations. In these regions we offer not only double mobile internet speed, but also access to EDGE data transfer technology, where previously only 2G was available.

By the end of March we plan to complete the project in the remaining counties and the capital, thereby providing Vodafone customers with the most modern, environment friendly mobile network with excellent quality voice calls and mobile internet as fast as lightening across the whole country.”

Top models, rarities, designer smart products

The new Vodafone smart phone store satisfies all standards of increased customer expectations: unparalleled wide selection of smart phones – 70 different models – make new newly opened store unique. The selection of phones also includes rarities such as the gold plated Nokia Oro, or the top quality HTC Sensation XL sold with Dr. Dre Beats Audio headphones, which will only be available in the Smart Store in Hungary. Of course the popular and top models of all the important manufacturers will be available, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8,9, the Sony Ericsson Neo V, the Blackberry 9900t, the iPhone 4S , as well as the LG Optimus Pad.

Best trained smart phone specialist team

This does not nearly exhaust the line of extras – the 22 member, specially trained store staff in itself guarantees the satisfaction of its’ customers. The multi-lingual "smart customer assistants” attended special training for several months where they learned everything about the specifications of the smart phones, the unique features of the operations systems and the related Vodafone services, to enable them to answer all possible questions.

The Smart Store also thought of its’ smart buyers, so everyone may also easily access the information they require on their own. The touch screens placed beside the entrance answer the general questions, while the table devices mounted on stands provide the specific information on the various devices. These include not only descriptions and data, but also useful guiding videos. The store is environmentally conscious, so it is completely paper-free and payment is transacted through wireless technology. Thus, you will not see any cash registers or any line-up to the cash register.

At the Training Centre set up in the Smart Store customers may learn the ins and outs of their smart phones by participating in 35-40 minute free courses. Furthermore, after closing hours the store hosts 8 different training courses organised by the Smart Training Centre.

Smart Store designed by Hungarian architects, has unique accessories

The concept of Vodafone’s smart store is 21st Century mobile technology, - smart phones being the popular incorporations of this concept –, a winning combination of design, art and fashion. To this end it has announced its’ smART tender in the categories of work uniform, artwork and mobile accessories and the submitted works judged by professionally reputed jury members have been used in the creation of the smart phone store. The store’s environment consciously reflects the atmosphere of a typical Budapest street, thus the brick wall is a tribute to the history of the city developing since the age of dualism.

The store is generally characterised by the blending of traditional values and new technologies, examples being the specially designed furniture and the giant video wall. Nearly 100 tenders were submitted to the Artwork, Design and Fashion categories of the smART tender. The wall of digital artwork reflecting the feeling of modern galleries that we may enjoy on the store’s walls is a collection of the winners’ works, while the „smart team’s” uniform was designed by young fashion designers in Budapest."

Get more information from the source: Vodafone Hungary