OXFORD, United Kingdom—Having heard that T-Mobile plans to launch third-generation (3G) services in 20 German cities during the third quarter, Vodafone D2 responded this week by announcing plans for a 3G service later this year in a number of large German cities. However, Viag Interkom, owned by U.K.-based mmO2, said the lack of handsets would realistically mean that widescale availability of 3G services would not be possible until mid-2003.
While Vodafone D2 would not reveal who would supply its 3G handsets, the company maintained that it is working hard to launch its networks in the fourth quarter in the most important German metropolitan areas. “We have confirmation from manufacturers that the handsets will be ready by then, and we’re sticking to our plans,” said Juergen von Kuczkowski, chief executive officer (CEO) of Vodafone D2.
Siemens confirmed that it plans to start shipping 3G handsets this year, although it declined to say to which operators.
Separately, T-Mobile and Vodafone have agreed to create an interoperable mobile payment platform to accelerate the widescale adoption of mobile transactions. The system, which is scheduled to go live toward the end of this year, is designed to enable cell-phone users to purchase goods and services using traditional credit and debit cards, as well as either to a customer’s bill, by prepaid top-up card or using other micropayment mechanisms. Both firms said they hope other operators will join them in launching the payment platform.
