LG Electronics Co. Ltd. announced its second GSM carrier partner with the release of the G4011 clamshell phone for AT&T Wireless Services Inc. The phone follows the release of two similar handsets through Cingular Wireless L.L.C.
“LG’s goal is to provide consumers with a range of fashionable phones that support the functions and the services they want,” said Dan Gralak, LG’s vice president of sales. “By introducing a whole new line of GSM mobile phones for AT&T Wireless’ customers, LG is offering them the opportunity to experience the sleek designs and must-have features that our existing customers have come to expect.”
LG’s new GSM phone for AT&T Wireless features text messaging, a grayscale screen and a WAP browser. Pricing was not immediately available. The move is the latest for LG, which has a commanding position in the CDMA market in the United States and is expanding into the GSM market.
In other phone news, European giant Vodafone Group plc said it will sell a Sharp Corp. phone with an integrated digital camera with a resolution of 1 megapixel. The Sharp GX30 is the successor to the GX20 and supports Vodafone’s Live! wireless data service. The phone is notable as Vodafone has consistently relied on Asian handset suppliers, especially Sharp, to launch its Live! wireless data service and break the market dominance of Nokia Corp. Those in the industry have hailed 1 megapixel camera phones, and several manufacturers have promised to sell such devices in the United States this year.
Separately, Siemens AG said it appointed Thorsten Heins to head its mobile-phone division. The company’s previous mobile-phone chief died unexpectedly early this year, and Siemens’ Rudi Lamprecht headed the company’s mobile-phone business in the interim. Heins previously served as the head of Siemens’ Solutions Division, where he was responsible for integrating applications and content for the mobile Internet.
Finally, Sierra Wireless introduced its new MP 555 GPS rugged wireless modem for Sprint PCS’ CDMA 1xRTT network. Sierra said it will work with Sprint to market and sell the MP 555 GPS in-vehicle mobile solution through the PCS Business Solutions Program, primarily targeting public-safety and utility departments.
