TOKYO-NEC, a leading telecom vendor in Japan, announced it won an additional order for third-generation (3G) handsets from Hutchison Whampoa. Under the initial contract with Hutchison, NEC was to provide 1 million 3G handsets for the Hong Kong-based company. According to NEC, NEC won an order for an additional 2 million units from Hutchison Group.
Upon the additional order, NEC will provide dual-mode 3G handsets, which can be used for 3G or GSM networks. NEC will provide both video phones and handsets with keyboards for Hutchison. Hutchison launched its experimental 3G service in the United Kingdom and Italy. NEC had provided handsets for these experimental services.
Earlier this month, NEC acquired a 5-percent stake in two mobile-phone subsidiaries owned by Hutchison Whampoa for a total US$73 million.
