Verizon Wireless, Vodafone To Develop Data Card Service

The data card, to be based on Vodafone's Mobile Connect Card, will be marketed by Verizon Wireless via a license from Vodafone.

The service would give business users the ability to access e-mail, the Net and corporate applications on their laptops when located within any of Vodafone's territories or in Verizon Wireless' U.S. network, and when traveling in Europe.

Verizon Wireless, Bedminster, N.J., and Vodafone, London, will cooperate on data card hardware, service interconnectivity and billing, the companies said.

The duo is also working on a GSM/CDMA chipset that would give Verizon Wireless customers the ability to use their phones and phone numbers while traveling in Europe on the Vodafone footprint.