Ring out the old, ring in the new

VIDEO calling, movie clips, Premiership goals, music videos, and 3-D games are set to make new 3G mobile phones one of the hottest gifts on the market this Christmas.

Thousands of the new handsets are expected to be sold over the next few weeks as 3G models are likely to replace camera phones as the latest “must-have” piece of mobile technology.

Vodafone yesterday became the first of the three main mobile phone operators to launch a 3G service on the Irish market with the promise of a range of new, improved hi-tech and high-speed services, including video calling, which allows customers to see each other on a call.

The first of the new phones, starting at €169, becomes available next week, with Europe’s first 2 mega-pixel camera phone, the €379 Sharp V902, released in early 2005. New 3G customers will also have to replace their existing SIM cards.

Vodafone is hoping that a large proportion of its 1.9 million customers will upgrade to the new handsets. The company has spent €150m on rolling out a 3G network in the Republic and €114m acquiring one of four available 3G licences.

However, a Vodafone spokesperson declined to provide any information on target sales figures for its 3G handsets.

She confirmed that the company would continue to offer a range of GSM handsets as Vodafone acknowledged that “3G is not for everybody”.

However, Vodafone claims existing customers can also obtain savings of 10%-30% by switching to two new “Super Time” pricing options for 3G handsets. For example, the Super Time 300 option offers callers 300 minutes of talk at any time plus 100 minutes of call a friend for free for €69 per month.

Vodafone is also hoping that one of the key attractions of the new phones for customers will be the unlimited video access to all goals from the Barclay Premiership for €9.99 a month extra.

Similar services will be on offer for downloading the latest music videos and film clips as well as 3-D games, breaking news and other live sports action.

Vodafone said coverage for the 3G network is now at 62% of the State.

Rival mobile operator O2 is expected to reveal 3G plans early in 2005, while Meteor and fourth licence holder, 3, have yet to confirm any plans to provide the service.