Hutchison 3G Has 100,000 3G Phones Available For Launch

Hutchison 3G is ready to sell 3G phones and devices in 300 shops ( believed to be Superdrug ) in the UK before the end of 2003. These are phones and devices from NEC - one of which is inset on the left. See 3G's earlier press release confirming the order of 2 Million 3G phones and devices HERE

Hutchison 3G is yet to confirm the actual UK launch date because there are reports of trial glitches. The company has always said it would launch 3G in the UK during the 4th quarter of 2002.

A "friendly" trial of the network and handsets is currently being undertaken in the UK. Hutchison seem reluctant to give out any information regarding the trial and 3G would welcome some information. But to date we have no further details to report.

Canning Fok of Hutchison Whampoa Hong Kong ( the holding company and headquarters of Hutchison 3G ) also indicated that the company intends to open 3G shop counters in other High Street retailers.

It is further reported that Hutchison has around 60,000 3G handsets and devices in stock with another 40,000 in the final stages of shipment. 3G imagine that if the trial users are experiencing problems then this could impact upon the already manufactured phones, as they could need software or hardware upgrades. This would be a major rework exercise.