NEC gets two million 3G handset order form Hutchison
October 23, 2002
NEC agreement marks next milestone in rollout of services under
the '3' brand
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (Hutchison) today announced an agreement
with NEC Corporation (NEC) to increase its November 2001 order of
third generation (3G) video devices for Hutchison's 3G companies
worldwide from one million to two million NEC video devices. Hutchison
and NEC have been working together since April 2001, and this order
cements NEC's relationship with Hutchison as a key partner in the
rollout of 3G services under the 3 brand world-wide. The value of
the contract was not disclosed.
All the devices ordered from NEC are dual-mode, while the additional
one million devices in this latest contract feature advanced messaging
capabilities for both business and personal communication. Dual-mode
devices enable consumers to benefit from rich multimedia services
such as person-to-person video when accessing the 3G platform, but
also allow the use of all 2G services when roaming beyond a 3G-enabled
area.
In August 2001 Hutchison announced that NEC would be its preferred
supplier of 3G devices, and this month, NEC began delivery of 1,000
3G devices to Hutchison's 3G operations in the UK and Italy for
use in the Hutchison "friendly user" trial. NEC is also supporting
Hutchison 3G's network infrastructure rollout in the UK, in line
with the announcement in April 2001 by Hutchison 3G UK.
The new devices in this contract are the first of their kind for
NEC and have been created following extensive consumer research.
They offer a range of customer-friendly attributes such as computer-style
keyboards, built-in cameras and significantly larger colour screens,
which let customers experience 3G services to their fullest: mobile
communication, Internet and audiovisual features all in one. The
devices include a substantial memory of up to 64MB, built-in Java
functions and purpose-built software.
Susumu Otani, Associate Senior Vice President and Executive General
Manager of NEC's Mobile Terminal Business Unit, said: "The advent
of 3G has produced many new business opportunities. As a result,
the mobile handset has evolved into a highly advanced device incorporating
many new features and technologies. NEC has become industry leader
in the manufacture of sophisticated and user-friendly devices that
simultaneously cater for specific needs and respond to consumer
trends."
"NEC is providing comprehensive support for Hutchison's 3G service,
and the creation of innovative mobile Internet services. We will
accelerate the expansion of 3G by providing reliable and high quality
devices backed by our extensive know-how and expertise in the mobile
Internet field."
Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of the Hutchison Whampoa Group,
said: "3G fuses two of the most powerful consumer technologies in
history - the interactivity and depth of the Internet with the convenience
and freedom of mobile telephony."
"We have just begun the first phase of our rollout of these exciting
services. Our close relationship with NEC, combined with their considerable
expertise in 3G technologies, is proving invaluable. 3 will offer
consumers full-motion video over a wide selection of high quality
devices."
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3G Motorola A920
