NEC was last year contracted to supply a million 3G phones to H3G. This order has now effectively been doubled.

Hutchison and NEC have been working together since April 2001. The value of the contract is not being disclosed.

All the devices ordered from NEC are dual-mode so capable of working on GSM as well as the 3G standard.

The additional million devices in this latest contract feature advanced messaging capabilities for both business and personal communication.

This month NEC began delivery of 1000 3G phones to Hutchisons 3G operations in the UK and Italy for use in Hutchisons friendly user trial. NEC is also supporting Hutchison 3Gs network infrastructure rollout in the UK.

The new devices in this contract are the first of their kind for NEC and feature computer-style keyboards built-in cameras and large colour screens.

These features will support new applications such as location-based services that will enable 3 customers to pinpoint their position on a digital map delivered to the 3G handset. Users will be able to follow directions to services such as hotels restaurants shops and businesses using a detailed real-time display.

Also included is 64Mb of memory and built-in Java functions for animated games.

The advent of 3G has produced many new business opportunities. As a result the mobile handset has evolved into a highly advanced device incorporating many new features and technologies said Susumu Otani general manager of NECs mobile terminal business.

NEC is providing comprehensive support for Hutchisons 3G service and the creation of innovative mobile Internet services.

Hutchison Whampoa group managing director Canning Fok added: We have just begun the first phase of our rollout of these exciting services. 3 will offer consumers full-motion video over a wide selection of high quality devices.(See full story P26)

This is a daily average of approximately 48 million and an hourly average of two million messages. The figures represent an increase of 12 million on the same period last year.

This takes the UK text messaging total for the year to more than 12 billion – on track for the MDAs forecast of 16 billion for 2002. The boost in text message numbers for September may be due to the return to college for many students.

Stringent demands from UK operators delayed the UK launch.

Sony Ericsson maintains that it is on course for its renewed first quarter 2003 release with the end of February being the likely date.

The release date has not been put back since we announced the addition of a memory stick said a Sony Ericsson spokesperson.

We are confident that the handsets will be ready for February.

Users credit is displayed in real time so that they are aware of the cost. The GPRS function is selected from the WAP menu.

Services are available on handsets including the Motorola V66e Philips 820e Nokia 3510 Sony Ericsson T200 Sony Ericsson T300 Sony Ericsson T68i and the Sagem myG-5.

J-Phone a partner of Vodafone is currently preparing its network for launching 3G services in December and plans to expand its infrastructure with additional base station sites next year.

The technology will be used in Samsungs 2.5 and 3G smartphones. The first Samsung Symbian product to be released will be a global data-enabled phone using the Series 60 user interface which Samsung has licensed from Nokia.

The A8830 dual-mode handset works on both 3G networks and 2/2.5G. Features include multi-media-messaging an integrated MP3 player and a photography function through a clip-on camera accessory.

A multi-call function allows the phone to be used for more than one function at a time – and it is possible to make a call while downloading a music clip from the net.

Added extras include a GPS receiver the latest games and the ability to fit memory cards of up to 256MB to store media content.

In the Financial Times Telecoms consultancy Analysis says the inability of operators to agree on a single technical interface has been a major barrier to m-commerce (Vodafone and T-Mobile agreed to the same interface for retailers in March 2002 but have failed to convince other retailers to join in) … The Suns Bizarre column went mobile to report that the first five customers at Vodafones Tottenham Court Road store in London on October 24 would receive a Sharp GX10 mobile phone signed by pop star Samantha Mumba … The Guardian lashed Orange for reneging on its offer of five free text messages per day in its Out Here package (Orange has dropped the number of free messages to three) … The Wall Street Journal covered Siemens launch of a new range of handsets in the US in a further attempt by Siemens to improve its market share there … The Daily Mirror reported on a survey from Lloyds TSB that reckoned 600000 people lost their mobile phones down the toilet in 2001 while another 200000 people put their phones in the washing machine … The Daily Mail covered the partnership between Argos and Vodafone whereby customers can check availability and order goods by text message (see story P12) … The Financial Times reported that eight per cent of men and three per cent of women have admitted to leaving their mobile phones switched on during a flight … The Sunday People reported mobile phone masts could soon double as a means of tracking crime suspects anywhere in the UK.

Thanks to Vodafone for help in compiling Prime Cuts

As in previous years the Mobile News Awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner-dance in the prestigious Hilton on Park Lane Ball room hosted by a televison celebrity. It will be held on on March 27 2003.

Previous hosts have included Frank Skinner Julian Clary Rory Bremner Bob Monkhouse Paul Daniels and Jim Davidson.

Prices range from 5000 for a Platinum package down to 2750 for a Bronze package.

Platinum tables have preferential seating and the package includes a full-page colour advertisement in the Awards programme a twin room at the Hilton on Park Lane and a private champagne reception.

Tables for the Mobile News Awards have sold out every year since 1995. Early booking is advised using the form on the double-page advertisement on page 36.

Hugh Symons will distribute Pogos handheld wireless device which offers colour high-speed web browsing and integrated e-mail SMS and voice messaging. It includes a networked personal organiser and MP3 player.

The company will also handle Handsprings Treo 270 the device that includes a mobile phone wireless applications such as e-mail and internet browsing and a Palm OS organiser.