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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: foundation who wrote (30586)	1/1/2003 8:17:27 AM
From: foundation	Respond to of 196568

3rd Month, 2003 For 3's 3G Launch in UK 1st January 2002 by Kevin Thomas of 3G The UK press has reported that Hutchison 3G will not be launching 3G in the UK until March 2003. If this is correct, 3G.co.uk feels this is another kick in the teeth for 3G in Europe, which was hanging on for Hutchison to launch 3G and cheer up the industry. The UK public will wait till at least March 2003 to have the NEC e606 3G Mobile ( with Video calling, Video messaging, Video download, Built-in camera and Media player ) in their pockets. I know , the bulk of the UK public were not aware of the imminent launch of 3G and what it could do, but the majority of potential early adopters know and quite frankly would have expected the launch in 2002. Fair enough, a trial is underway in London to prove and iron-out hiccups within the network and handsets, yet Manx Telecom did this over 12 months ago on the Isle Of Man. For at least the last 12 months, Hutchison assured us that they would launch in 2002. Missing that launch, and delaying till 2003 makes me shudder and all I feel is bad WAP type vibes. The fact that there are now some awesome GPRS phones - the Sharp GX1 and GX10 spring to mind - means that GPRS is the only decent wireless phone choice for the UK public well into 2003. I wonder what aftershocks may present themselves ? I have been reporting on 3G for nearly 3 years and personally I feel sad to hear this. In many respects this would not have come as such a shock had Hutchison 3G provided regular progress updates. It would be nice to think that Hutchison will issue a press release and confirm the actual position, the trial objectives, progress and hiccups, and the actual launch details e.g 3G coverage areas etc. I had always wanted a 3G phone for Xmas 2002 but I ain't got one. 3g.co.uk ========== There's an interesting tension between the following two comments. Does author Kevin Thomas grasp the irony? "..a trial is underway in London to prove and iron-out hiccups within the network and handsets, yet Manx Telecom did this over 12 months ago on the Isle Of Man. For at least the last 12 months, Hutchison assured us that they would launch in 2002." and "It would be nice to think that Hutchison will issue a press release and confirm the actual position, the trial objectives, progress and hiccups, and the actual launch details.." LOL! "The fact that there are now some awesome GPRS phones - the Sharp GX1 and GX10 spring to mind.." *Does it trouble Jorma Jorma that it was not* the 7650 that sprang to Kevin's Eurocentric consciousness?**

To: foundation who wrote (30586)	1/1/2003 8:36:18 AM
From: foundation	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 196568

The BIG story for mobile Europe in 2003 will be: A) NO commercial 3G - only a scattering of figleafing, soft-headed launches in the Sonera tradition. The industry press grows progressively critical of industry "sources" and begins asking vendors the tough questions. B) A disappointing year for GPRS. Pricing remains high to protect capacity for voice. Network, backhaul and software incompatibilities continue to hinder take up of MMS among those willing to pay steep prices. C) As evidenced in recent articles, Asia handsets are in vogue for Europe in 2003. As Asia is acknowledged de facto leader in 3G mobile technologies, handset designs from Japan and Korea are the new rage. Carriers are further motivated to shop in Asia for competitive pricing and receptivity to carrier branding initiatives. Handset stylist Nokia learns the hard lesson of the fashion industry: live by the hemline... die by the hemline. D) Irwin Jacobs steals the show at Cannes in February. Happy 3GSM New Year!