On May 17 2010, Digitimes reported that several Taiwan-based operators were testing a WiMAX phone designed by Israel's Comsys Mobile, and with an expected free on board price of US$100.
Representatives from Comsys at Computex 2010 have confirmed the report and added that the company is in talks with manufacturers and clients to finalize the modifications based on its reference design.
One version will be a touchscreen device, another will be a Blackberry-like model with a hardware keypad, and an entry-level version will be in a candy bar form factor, the company said, noting that the price difference between high- and low-end versions will be around US$20.
Comsys pointed out that though the emerging markets will be the main focus, this WiMAX phone, which is said to have received orders for more than 200,000 units worldwide, could be the type of product to jumpstart Taiwan's 4G development.
At the moment, Taiwan's WiMAX operators are focused on dongles, IAD (integrated access devices), routers and notebooks.
Global Mobile, Taiwan's largest WiMAX operator and reported to be testing the Comsys handset, is expected to introduce a WiMAX phone in the fourth quarter, according to a company representative. The device, however, will be based on Android operating system and Mediatek chipsets. Global Mobile did not disclose the expected retail price.
Most of the WiMAX handsets unveiled previously by HTC and Mediatek were quoted at about US$600.
Infrastructure is of course the first and foremost in the commercialization of 4G mobile phones, yet education of the benefits and the right devices and the right price are crucial as well, the company said.
In July, Global Mobile will officially begin building WiMAX infrastructure in Taipei County and area priority will be based on population density and number of potential users, the company said. Taipei City is already WiMAX ready.
Labels: Other mobile phone brands
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