14 DAY TRIAL // Vodafone Germany announced that it will deliver live and full-length broadcasts of all first and second Bundesliga matches to UMTS mobile phone users.
The 'Vodafone live Football Flatrate', available for EUR 7.50 a month, enables users to watch their favourite team play. All Bundesliga matches are broadcast live and in full length at the weekend, and if two matches take place at the same time, users can use the conference function to switch between them. A live ticker keeps customers up to date on the progress of the match and the latest league table status. The package also includes the 'Vodafone Freisto?' (Vodafone Freekick) TV programme that offers a 25-minute TV show with detailed reports of all matches, match player portraits and other aspects. The content provider is Vodafone's partner Arena TV. UEFA Champions League matches are also on the viewing program, in conjunction with Premiere. On UEFA Champions League match days, customers get a preview of the matches, a summary at half-time and match highlights after the final whistle.
The alternative for customers without a UMTS phone is the 'Football Package', available for EUR 5 a month. The service includes a live ticker with images of all first and second Bundesliga matches, plus the UEFA Champions League matches. Customers can also receive MMS messages at half-time and after the final whistle, providing information about goals, ball possession, corners, yellow and red cards and send-offs. The 'My Club live!', 'Bundesliga Compact' and 'UEFA CL Compact' options are also available. Another useful feature is the Video Clips on Demand service, which delivers video clips of the day's matches.
Both offers can be tested free of charge until October 9, 2006. After the period expires, users can subscribe to the football services at Vodafone shops, on the Vodafone live! Portal, or they can send a text message with the text 'Ball' to 55555. A response text message will be sent with a link to the portal where the football package can be booked. The 'Vodafone live Football Flatrate' has a minimum term of twelve months, and there is no charge during the summer and winter breaks.