Vodafone could snub Nokia for 3G
In an effective snub to top handset maker Nokia, the Financial Times reported that Vodafone was negotiating exclusive deals with Japan’s Sanyo and Samsung of South Korea for its new range of upgraded Vodafone Live! multimedia phones. ‘Vodafone is trialling a number of handsets to support its 3G service, which will be available before March 2004,’ the group stated. ‘Vodafone cannot confirm at this stage which manufacturers will be exclusive providers for Vodafone’s 3G services.’
Sanyo already supplies Vodafone’s Japanese-based business J-Phone with handsets. The consumer electronics group said in Tokyo it was considering entering Europe’s 3G handset market but declined to comment on which carriers it might team up with. Vodafone has been testing a 3G handset from Samsung since March. Continue >>