Vodafone to offer Google Nexus S on one-year contract

Vodafone is about to make it possible to buy a Google Nexus S Android smartphone on a one-year contract.

On Tuesday a spokesman for the operator told ZDNet UK that Vodafone was bringing in new 12-month contracts — the last couple of years have seen a major push for 18-24-month subscription terms, making it almost impossible to get a one-year contract on most networks — because it "gives customers greater flexibility".

"The first device that will launch on the 12-month contract will be the Nexus S," the spokesman said, explaining that the Samsung-manufactured device is expected to go live on Vodafone's site with a one-year term within the next 24 hours.

However, while he could not detail pricing, the spokesman said those opting for a one-year contract would have to pay more upfront for their Nexus S.

The spokesman denied that the new tariff term had anything to do with EU legislation, due to come into force in May, that forces operators to offer 12-month terms while banning the 36-month contracts that have recently started to appear.