THIRD GENERATION MOBILE PHONES PROMISED FOR CHRISTMAS IN EUROPE.

Third generation (3G) mobile telephony handsets will be widely available at the end of 2004, according to equipment manufacturers, a promise that remains the principal cause for uncertainty among European operators regarding the launch of mobile multimedia. Gathered for the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, from February 23 to 26, mobile telephony operators finally announced precise timetables for the introduction of the new mobile telephony standard in Europe, generally scheduled for the second half year, with the generating of significant revenue anticipated from 2005. Siemens mobile Chairman Rudi Lamprecht estimated that the new standard will have attracted 5 million subscribers by the end of the year. He forecasts the market to run to 40 million subscribers in 2005 and pass the 100 million users threshold in 2006. Nokia Chairman Jorma Ollila meanwhile suggested that 2004 will mark the beginning of real marketing of 3G and echoed Arun Sarin, Managing Director of the world's leading mobile telephony operator Vodafone, in expressing confidence in 3G. Mr Sarin says he is convinced that suppliers will be in a position to provide Vodafone with sufficient handsets to enable it to place several million appliances on the market from October.

Caution nevertheless remains the order of the day among many operators since in unveiling its timetable, SFR, the French operator...