Vodafone on Tuesday announced it is ramping up its cloud computing activities with plans to offer data storage services to its business and consumer customers.

Called Vodafone PC Backup, the browser-based service enables users to secure digital content from their computer to a remotely hosted site, which can then be accessed to share and recover data in the event their computer is lost, stolen or damaged.

"Our customers are often using a range of connected devices each day, with different information and data contained on each one," said Huw Medcraft, director of mobile broadband at Vodafone, in a statement.

He commented that customers will be able to share their files via "a variety of devices," including netbooks, and can access the service across both fixed and mobile networks.

A Vodafone spokesman told Total Telecom that consumers will be offered unlimited storage, although a fair usage policy will apply.

Meanwhile business customers will receive 10 GB of storage with a basic package, with more expensive plans offering incrementally more capacity.

Vodafone said business customers will also be able to use a Web-based management console to centrally control storage allocations and policies for multiple users.

Vodafone has partnered with Decho – a subsidiary of network storage and data recovery provider EMC – which operates the Mozy online backup service that will form the basis for Vodafone's new cloud storage offering.

"The explosive growth in both business and consumer information is driving demand for new personal cloud services," said a statement from Harel Kodesh, CEO of Decho.

Vodafone PC Backup is due to be rolled out across the operator's European footprint during the remainder of the year.

Vodafone's spokesman said prices will be determined by the local operator in each market, although he suggested the service will likely be offered as part of high-end mobile broadband packages.

Recently in September Vodafone unveiled as part of its new 360 suite of services a facility that automatically backs up contact information stored on handsets to a dedicated Website.