PRESS RELEASE
2 August 2007: Mobile media company 3 UK (www.three.co.uk) is to offer Google Search and Google Maps on the Planet 3 mobile portal from today
Under the agreement with Google, Google™ search will be integrated into the Planet 3 Internet offering. The Google Maps™ application will be offered as a download via the 3 portal.
The deal will see Google join Yahoo! as a search provider on Planet 3, giving 3's users an unprecedented choice of integrated brand-name search providers. Google comes onto the 3 UK portal as an X-Series partner having been announced as a launch member of the X-Series global programme in November last year, and after launching in several other 3 markets.
When a user selects Google as their search provider, their preference is recorded and the next time they use the Planet 3 Internet service they will automatically be directed to Google search. The Google Maps application will be available to compatible handsets as a download accessible through the Planet 3 Services grid, as well as being pre-installed on a majority of new handsets that are able to run the application.
John Penberthy-Smith, Marketing Director, 3 UK, said: "We are delighted to be able to give our customers a richer mobile internet experience through adding these innovative Google products to our service today. Our objective is to make sure that our customers have an experience which gets closer and closer to the one you would expect when using your home PC, but on your mobile device, wherever you are. We're not about forcing people to use a particular service or brand - we aim to let you choose which one you prefer."
About 3
3 is a mobile media company delivering a convergence of communications, entertainment and information to customers on the move.
The three areas which form the core of its business are:
- Communications - including all forms of personal communications, voice and video calling; text, picture and video messaging; and mobile blogging
- Entertainment - including television, music audio and video, computer games, and media publishing
- Information services - including wireless web, access to the best of the internet and a range of news services
3 UK is a member of the HWL group of 3G companies, which include 3G operations in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Sweden and soon Norway.
Three facts about 3:
- 3, a mobile media company, launched the UK's first 3G network
- 3 has over 3.9 million customers in the UK and over 14.7 million worldwide (March 2007 figures)
- The 3 network offers national coverage for calls and texts, and over 90% population coverage for 3G services.
For further information, please visit: www.three.co.uk or call the 3 Media Office on 0845 6038333.
Google™ and Google Maps™ are trade marks of Google Inc. in the United States, the UK and other countries. Other trade marks are the property of their respective owners.
Lucy Reed
Press Officer, Corporate Communications, 3 UK
Direct line: 01628 766 143
http://www.three.co.uk