The winning handset in the GSMA’s 3G for All programme, the LG-KU250, is now on sale across the globe, marking a new phase in the evolution of the market for third-generation mobile services. The 3G handset from LG Electronics was selected by 12 leading operators to spearhead the GSMA’s campaign to make multimedia mobile services accessible to a much wider user base.
The handset is priced to enable many more people to take advantage of 3G services, such as video calls, music downloads, high-speed Internet access, multi-tasking and many other multimedia services. The LG-KU250 will be launched by international operators Hutchison 3G, under the model name LG-U250, T-Mobile and Orange in some of their markets and also by local operators. It is set to go on sale in Europe, Asia, Middle Asia and Africa from this month. The availability of the LG-KU250 underlines how consumers are increasingly being offered a much wider choice of 3G handsets at a broad range of price points.
“We believe this highly-capable device will help open up a new market for 3G phones and drive further interest in mobile multimedia services across the world,” said Craig Ehrlich, chairman of the GSMA, the global trade association for mobile operators, and a board member of Hutchison Mobile Communications, which is sponsoring the project. “By focusing 3G handset makers on a much broader base of potential customers, this programme will have a significant and lasting impact on this industry.”
Twelve leading mobile operators used eight criteria* to select the LG-KU250 from 19 handsets submitted by eight vendors into the GSMA’s 3G for All programme.
“Through the GSMA’s 3G for All campaign, LG can provide more people the chance to experience complete 3G services with LG-KU250” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President & CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “This global programme will hasten development in the mobile industry and give users tangible benefits through true 3G mobile services.”
Starting this month, the LG-KU250 will be available in Germany, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia.
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Notes to editors
*Each of the proposals was scored by the 12 operators against eight criteria – functionality, usability, logistics, market acceptance, target price, service and support, strategic commitment and form factor.
The 12 operators that selected the winning handset were Cingular Wireless, Globe Telecom, Hutchison 3G, KTF, MTN, Orange, Smart, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telenor, T-Mobile and Vodafone. Bharti Airtel acted as an observer.
The GSMA endorsement will be in place until December 2007.
The 3G for All campaign is the second programme designed by the GSMA to create economies of scale for handset makers and their component suppliers. The GSMA’s Emerging Market Handset programme stimulated the development of a range of ultra-low cost mobile phones aimed at first-time buyers in developing countries.
About the LG-KU250
A feature-rich 3G bar-type handset, the LG-KU250, makes it possible for customers to access a wide variety of mobile multimedia services – including video clips, audio files and other content – in less time and at a reasonable price. An external memory slot enables the phone to store and play video and music files, while its multi-tasking capability enables customers to use the phone without turning off the music.
About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries of the world. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as key partners.
The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association’s members serve more than two billion customers – 82% of the world’s mobile phone users. See: www.gsmworld.com & www.3gsmworldcongress.com
For more information please contact:
For the GSM Association:
Mark Smith or David Pringle
Email: [email protected]