TELECOMS giant Vodafone has landed a much sought after Government contract to supply mobile communications to the public sector.

The partnership gives Vodafone access to over 100,000 mobile phone users across some 200 Government departments and agencies.

The Government said the deal will bring a more streamlined approach to the provision of mobile services over the next two years and will save the taxpayer over £38m.

Andrew Smith, chief secretary to the treasury, said: "We live in a fast moving technological age where the growth in the mobile phone usage is immense.

"This agreement is the first in a series of initiatives streamlined by the Office of Government Commerce and demonstrates the savings that can be achieved with a co-ordinated approach to procurement across Government."

The agreement makes available Vodafone's best value for Government to the whole public sector, including local authorities, emergency services, the MoD and the NHS.

Vodafone said it will also use the contract to introduce the benefits of new technology such as mobile Internet to Government