Cellstars European CEO Keith Curran said: We want to assess in the middle to long-term where the market is going and what CellStars options and opportunities are in that marketplace. It is very important for CellStar as a major player to have a key role in every region.

Consultants Andersen are completing its findings and expects the results to be available within the next couple of months.

We will be talking to other key players once we know factually exactly where we are and what our new strategy is confirmed Curran.

The target is equivalent to a growth rate of about twice that of the world market which is what we have achieved during all the previous years said Sagem CEO Pierre Faurre.

The high-growth strategy was unveiled in Paris last week at the launch of new high-tier products topped by the WA3050 smartphone developed in partnership with Microsoft.

Sagem also anounced it expected to appoint more distributors. Previously most of its sales have been through network operators.

Another move will see production of mobile phones in two factories in France and Eastern Europe.

On show at the Paris event was the 3000 range of mobile phones Sagems smallest and lightest to date. Sagem also produced a watertight shock and dust proof phone for outdoor use. It will feature WAP and GPRS altimeter barometer and a mini flashlight.

They will cost 2250 (exVAT) for a table of 10 for the event to be held at the Hilton on Park Lane March 15.

Up to five parties are in the running to buy the base RSL Com the fixed and mobile provider wants to concentrate on the business-to-business sector and its new CP2000 commission plan to dealers (see story P34).

UK and Benelux MD Barry Mowbray told Mobile News:

We have not yet made a final decision as far as the consumer base is concerned. We are reviewing all the options that are open to us.

RSL Com staff were made aware of the situation in a series (Cont P2) of meetings last week.

RSL Com paid around 7 million for Advanced Communications 250000 customers.

A year ago Mowbray said:

Advanced epitomises whats best about independent service providers. Despite operating in a notoriously volatile industry Advanced has exceptional customer loyalty. Like RSL Com its success is based on selecting the right solution for each individual customer and being more clever than most when it comes to customer service. This union supports RSL Coms objective as an integrated communications provider to meet more of the needs of our customers.

The Mobile Alliance was formed to offer independent dealer a branded high street presence and access to marketing advertising and branding potentialities that are normally enjoyed by the multiples.

The Carphone Warehouse boss Charles Dunstone told Mobile News:

The Carphone Warehouse Group can confirm that we are currently investigating a number of stock discrepancies at the Warrington

Superstore. The internal audit department are interviewing some of the personnel working at this store and some people have been suspended whilst the investigation is completed. The Warrington store is trading as normal.

The suspended Warrington staff were understood to have been using newspaper money-off coup-ons discount vouchers and credit vouchers to buy equipment such as palmtops and phones from the store which were then allegedly sold on for personal gain.

The police are involved in the investigation.

He has already removed certain material about the FCS Crime Prevention Scheme from his organisations web site which the FCS claims was confidential.

The FCSs lawyers have remined Rowcroft he is not permitted to make use of any confidential information and is still bound by the terms of the contract he signed.

Rowcroft has also been threatened with a claim for damages for allegedly publishing malicious falsehood. The FCS has also demanded he returns all information and documents he has copied.

In a news release he claimed the current FCS Crime Prevention Scheme was in turmoil and publicised other details of problems the Scheme may be facing. He also claimed why pay hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year to be a member of a trade organisation and then receive very little or even nothing in return.

We are surprised by Rowcrofts claims said FCS Secretary James Malcolm.

He spent barely six weeks with the FCS. Most of what he purports to offer is already provided by the FCS. However it is a matter of concern that since his appointment was so recently announced many in the industry may be misled into thinking that he still represents the FCS.

It is also a matter of great regret that for the first time since the FCS was established 20 years ago it has had to take steps to enforce a confidentiality agreement signed by all staff before joining us.

The FCS has a record of successful lobbying on behalf of members and is well known and respected in relevant government departments and in Oftel. It is owned by and answerable to its members and membership applications are also subject to approval by them.

According to a survey taken by the Trade Association Forum of which FCS is a member and represented on the Steering Committee FCS subscriptions are among the lowest asked by trade associations in any industry.

Rowcroft told Mobile News:

I deny that I breached any conditions of my contract. It depends on what they are saying is confidential and what is common knowledge within the industry. I think theirs is a response to the fact that there is a competition to the FCS.

The network made its apologies to its dealer channel at a seminar held at Chateau Impney on October 5.

BTCellnets sales director Mark Stansfield who joined the network from One 2 One in April said:

Lets face it we havent done a lot for you over the last couple of years to make you feel that you are valued channel partners and critical to your business so before we start and get into the good news Im putting my hands up and saying sorry.

He told dealers:

I am not saying we have all the answers. But I really believe we have made a strong start. What you do have is my commitment to you all that we want to work with you to develop your business not only for BTCellnet products and services but also to help you sell more of everything in the mobile category. Your business is very important to us.

On the day the network announced a raft of price changes and promotions. Included in these were reduction of up to 22 per cent) on Business First tariffs a 10p minute peak call rate and the fact that Business First can now be offered to single purchasers.

BTCellnets Mobile Extension product will come with extra benefits. Every Mobile Extension customer connected from October 1 would also attract an extra 20 commission.

A hundred or more customers connected to one account would win a 500 bonus and 150 a 1000 bonus.

General manager Ian Driver predicted a WAPpy Christmas and announced a three-month free mobile internet access offer to both new and existing WAP customers supported by a 10 million marketing push.

A new product for Christmas 2000 called Pay Upfront was announced to capitalise on the 40 per cent of total sales that are bought as gifts.

This gift-wrapped offering comes with 12 months free line rental 200 off peak minutes or 50 anytime minutes a WAP enabled Siemens handset.

The 99.99 package will give dealers a margin of 50; a 59 per cent POR.

Pay and Go rates are coming down to 2p/minute at weekends 10p off peak and 25p peak

With a glitzy Las Vegas theme that will have to be seen to be believed the night is on course to be the best Mobile News Awards night ever hosted as usual by a top TV star.

Tables of 10 are available for 2250 (ex VAT) and include a champagne reception four-course dinner with wine cabaret and star band.

Youll also have the chance to party until dawn with more than a thousand other industry guests at the prestigious Hilton on Park Lane Hotel in the heart of Londons Mayfair.

Tables are strictly limited due to space and fire regulations. When theyre gone theyre gone. So its a case of first-come-first served. Last year tables sold out within 10 days. Avoid the waiting lists. Book now using the booking form on Page 41. Or e-mail:mobilenewsawards@mobilenewscwp.co.uk or fax (020 7704 7441) your requirements.