LG Handset to Lead GSMA's '3G For All' Campaign

Sleek, Feature Rich 3G Handset Chosen by 12 Leading Operators

BARCELONA, Feb. 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Twelve leading mobile operators have selected a slim, multimedia phone developed by LG Electronics as the winning handset to spearhead the GSM Association's 3G for All campaign, which aims to make third-generation mobile services accessible to a much wider user base.

By agreeing on a common set of requirements, the 12 operators will enable LG to achieve major economies of scale in manufacturing, logistics and marketing. The LG-KU250 handset will be available at a wholesale price about 30% less than the typical entry-level 3G phone and fully-competitive with the multimedia second-generation handsets on sale today.

Twelve of the largest mobile operators in the world selected the LG-KU250, which is only 15mm thick, from 19 handsets submitted by eight vendors. Containing a chipset supplied by Qualcomm, the handset supports video calls, high-speed Internet access, multi-tasking and a wide range of other multimedia services.

"The 3G for All campaign has had a great response from both handset and chipset vendors demonstrating their commitment to work with operators to drive usage of 3G services," 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. "A highly-capable device that is as attractive and cost-effective as the leading 2G multimedia handsets, the LG-KU250 has clear mass-market appeal and will help fuel interest in third-generation services across the world."

"LG is very excited about collaborating with the GSMA to lead the ongoing evolution and deployment of 3G technology worldwide," said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Through this partnership, we will bring all people closer to new mobile capabilities and they will benefit from higher-quality wireless multimedia 3G services. LG will provide them with attractive and feature-rich 3G devices while at the same time breaking price barriers for subscribers in the global market."

"Qualcomm believes that one of our responsibilities is helping to make advanced wireless voice and Internet connectivity available to more people worldwide," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm. "We are proud to have been a part of this program with the GSMA and applaud their initiative in bringing the industry together toward this common goal of speeding the growth of 3G and multimedia services worldwide, though enhanced competition and consumer choice."

Unveiled to CEOs from across the mobile industry at the Leadership Summit of the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, the LG-KU250 handset will be available to all 3GSM mobile phone operators from the second quarter.

The 12 operators steering the GSMA programme have also highly commended a 3G handset submitted by Nokia. Also capable of supporting a range of 3G multimedia services, the handset, which is built on the Nokia 6151 platform, uses a Texas Instrument chipset designed to Nokia's specifications.

"We are pleased to be acknowledged by the GSMA for our efforts. Clearly, we share a common interest in extending the benefits of 3G to ever-wider audiences," said Kai Oistamo, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "In addition to offering consumers a much richer mobile experience, 3G enables operators to lower operating expenses, reduce voice congestion in 2G networks, enabling the reallocation of the 900 MHz frequency, and promote usage of new services".

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 GSM Association: http://www.gsmworld.com