Fone Logs wins Qualitel deal

Fone Logistics has secured a deal with business telecoms specialist Qualitel to be its sole distributor of O2 products.

The distributor won the two-year contract after beating off competition to win exclusive ownership of Qualitel’s entire O2 distribution.

It becomes Fone Logistics’ fourth deal in the last two months. Last month it announced a deal with Vodafone to deliver its fixed line products as well as landing an exclusive contract with Virgin Media to distribute its range of home broadband, telephone and TV bundles. It has also agreed to distribute the new Samsung B2700 handset to the construction market.

Fone Logistics managing director Ian Gillespie said: "We have reached a deal to guarantee Qualitel's O2 business for the next two years in the face of stiff competition, O2 Direct included, and with the requirement to demonstrate an improvement on admitted drops in service levels mid last year.

"Qualitel has been one of our premier partners for the past 18 months and is one of the most successful dealers in the country across a number of networks. We continue to be very pleased to work with them."

B2B dealer Qualitel has a direct relationship with Vodafone and is an Orange Business Partner via Mainline. It also claims to be one of the top 20 B2B independents in the UK.

Qualitel managing director Mike Ridgway said: "Fone Logistics has won this account based upon an imaginative and commercially attractive offer and off the back of a demonstrable improvement in service levels and expertise.

"I am looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between our two companies and am confident that we have made the right choice in Fone Logistics."

O2 revenues up 10 per cent

O2’s revenues are up 10 per cent year on year to £6.26 million, naming the iPhone, BlackBerry and Simplicity as leading products. Traditional ARPU is down two per cent while data ARPU has risen nine per cent.

Net mobile additions in the year reached 1.1 million, up 45 per cent year on year and ending December 2008 with a total mobile base of 19.5 million lines, excluding Tesco Mobile. Contract customers make up 39.1 per cent of the total base, up two per cent from last year. The company attributed this growth to propositions such as Simplicity SIM only packages, the 3G iPhone and mobile broadband. The network said it sold one million iPhones last year.

Prepay customer numbers grew 82.7 per cent to reach 11.9 million, drawn by offers such as prepay mobile broadband and the prepay iPhone. O2 recorded total churn of 2.7 per cent, down from 2.9 per cent in 2007.

Total ARPU last year was £26.66, recording a 1.4 per cent year-on-year growth, however, Q4 saw a decline of 1.7 per cent

Contract ARPU showed a year-on-year decline of 2.1 per cent as, ironically, customers are more frequently choosing value deals such as Simplicity and scrutinising their usage. Prepay ARPU for the year declined 0.6 per cent from 2007, reflecting the increased uptake of prepay tariffs such as Unlimited.

However, this was compensated for by the 9.2 per cent rise in data to £10.17, driven by mobile broadband and data bolt-ons.

The network’s DSL broadband service added 270,157 lines in 2008, with its total broadband customer base at 340,866 lines at the end of December.

Telefonica Europe chief executive Matthew Key said: “While our results appear to be bucking economic trends, we remain concerned about the current trading environment which has resulted in an overall smaller market. In times like these, execution becomes even more critical in offering customers services and propositions that they value.”

Telstra chief to return to USA

Chief executive of Australian incumbent network Telstra is to leave the company on June 30 to return to his native USA.

The company will begin a search for a suitable successor and expects to make an appointment by the time of Trujillo’s departure.

Telstra chairman Donald McGauchie said Trujillo and the Telstra board agreed that now was a suitable time for a transition to a new chief executive in light of the company’s performance.

McGauchie said: “Sol’s vision, strategic direction and commitment to execution have positioned Telstra as a media communications company with a wide range of options for ongoing growth.

“Under Sol’s leadership, Telstra has significantly outperformed the market and its global peers, producing world-leading results within the telecommunications sector.

“The Next G network is undeniably the world’s best national mobile broadband network and stands as Sol’s crowning achievement.”

Trujillo joined Telstra in July 2005. He will continue to drive the business until his departure at the end of June and work with the board and senior management to ensure a smooth transition.

He said: “Telstra is outperforming domestic and global peers in virtually every category. We are well positioned to hit the key transformation targets we set in November 2005 and I have every confidence that Telstra will continue to deliver world-leading results for shareholders.”

Trujillo’s achievements include the integrated Next G and Next IP networks, the successful completion of Telstra’s privatisation, migration of seven million customers to Telstra’s new IT platforms, the rollout of ADSL2+ to exchanges covering 82 per cent of the population, the launch and rollout of the T[life] stores and expansion into mainland China with successful new acquisitions.

The announcement of Trujillo’s departure comes as the company announced strong first half results with free cash flow growing by 44 per cent to $1.9 billion (£865 million) while also continuing to outperform domestic and global peers in key products and segments. Total revenue grew 2.7 per cent to $12,710 million.

O2 launches laptop deals

O2 has today become the final network to begin selling mobile broadband with laptop packages.

The network, which has also refurbished a large number of stores in the week building to the launch, began selling three different laptops on two separate tariffs, as part of its 'Connected World,' strategy.

Customers can choose for a Samsung NC10 or Samsung R510 laptop, which are free on 24 month mobile broadband plans costing £30 per month with 3GB of download, or £40 per month for 10GB download.

Also available is a ‘multimedia’ version of the Samsung R510 with extra memory and entertainment features, which is available on either tariff for a one-off fee of £80.

Customers will also receive unlimited free Wi-Fi using O2 Cloud hotspots.

One O2 staffer said: “We have been at a disadvantage regarding sales of mobile broadband for a long time, but we can now finally compete with the rest of the highstreet.”

Carphone to 'streamline' business

The Carphone Warehouse will not be cutting stores as its seeks to streamline its business, it said this morning following the announcement that it it is to cut up to 450 office-based roles in the UK.

However Carphone UK chief executive Andrew Harrison said many of the people whose jobs may go could be redeployed in other areas of the business.

For example, the arrival of US electronics chain Best Buy to the UK as a 50 per cent shareholder of Carphone’s retail business will create 1,000 new jobs over the next 15 months.

Harrison also told Mobile News that there were no plans to reduce the retail head count or close any more stores than would be reviewed in the normal course of business, which at the moment stands at up to 30.

Harrison said: “We’ve announced robust figures and the business is in good shape. But as we look forward, the next 18 months are going to be difficult in retail and in mobile. Only the businesses that take action now and who are the leanest and fittest will be the ones that survive."

Harrison said that prices were under pressure so rather than wait, the company was looking at growing in different ways.

"We have grown over the last 10 years and never had the chance to reflect on how we are structured. It’s not just about a people cost-reduction strategy. It’s about changing how we do things."

Harrison said most of the planned cost savings would come from streamlining back office systems and call centres by making better use of the internet and encouraging more self-help from staff and customers.

"We’d like to do things simpler – using systems to solve problems rather than people. We have tended to overcomplicate things. For example we stock 340 products but only a small proportion make up a significant part of the profit. So we will start looking at our core range. We could make our supply chain more efficient and carry less stock in store."

Revenues down at T-Mobile

T-Mobile has today announced its 2008 financial figures revealing a decline in year on year revenues and customers, despite an increase in broadband and postpay sales.

T-Mobile, year on year revenues dropped 1.7 percent to £2.93 billion in 2008, which also saw its prepay customer base fall by 5.2 percent to 12.7 million with prepay ARPU remaining at £9 year.

Contract net additions increased 6.7 percent year on year from 165,000 to 176,000, bringing its postpay base to more than 4 million and an ARPU of £44, down from £45.

Sales of the G1 Android phone, which launched in October, represented 20 per cent of all direct T-Mobile postpay handset sales in 2008.

Mobile broadband sales saw the biggest increase, with figures up 250 per cent year on year.

T-Mobile overall customer base fell from 16.8 million 17.3 million in 2007.

T- Mobile UK chief executive Jim Hyde said: “T-Mobile UK has maintained its strategy of customer acquisition, focusing on its core contract customer base and other targeted segments including mobile broadband.

“The launch of our new contract portfolio in May added momentum to our performance in the second half of 2008.

“The successful launch of the Android-based G1 in October and the ongoing demand for mobile broadband services had a positive impact on the latter half of 2008.

"Our new Life is for Sharing advertising campaign launched last month and sets us in good stead to significantly increase the value of our brand in 2009.”

Moto offloads Good Tech unit

Motorola has offloaded mobile email unit Good Technology to push email platform provider Visto for an undisclosed fee.

Visto said it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Good Technology from Motorola, bolstering Visto's status as push email provider to mobile network operators and handset vendors.

The deal is expected to complete at the end of the month.

"This transaction is in the best interest of our customers, employees and shareholders," said Motorola enterprise mobility solutions president Gene Delaney.

"Visto's acquisition of Good will allow Motorola to continue to concentrate on providing best-in-class business-critical applications, secure management platforms and mobility services that empower the individual with the right information at the right time to streamline business processes and improve results."

Visto chief executive Brian Bogosian said: "This transaction marks another important milestone in Visto’s emergence as a worldwide leader for mobile access to applications and content, especially messaging and collaboration data. Good's robust enterprise and government solution will complement Visto's strong operator presence in business and consumer markets."

"As a result of this transaction, Visto will now provide customers in over 100 countries an open, robust and secure mobile experience for enterprise customers, on over 400 different mobile devices."

Good Technologyoffers wireless messaging, mobile VPN data access, device management and handheld security for enterprise customers worldwide

Nokia staff volunteer redundancy

Nokia has requested staff volunteer for redundancy as its seeks to slash 1,000 jobs from in the coming months.

Nokia has established a ‘Voluntary Resignation Package’ and encouraged wider use of short-term unpaid leaves and sabbaticals. Nokia will also encourage employees to take holiday as time off instead of taking cash compensation this year.

Nokia head of human resources Hallstein Moerk said: "The response from employees and employee representatives in proposing ideas to help reduce personnel-related costs has been encouraging.

"We have considered these and are now announcing voluntary initiatives that could contribute to our efforts to adjust our cost base to the current market environment. If successful, the voluntary initiatives will lessen the need for involuntary redundancies."

The Voluntary Resignation Package will be made available for Nokia employees worldwide, with the exception of direct labour and senior executives.

The Voluntary Resignation Package will be open for application from March 1 until 1,000 employees have applied, closing on May 31 at the latest.

A Nokia statement said: "These measures are part of Nokia's previously announced plans to adjust its business operations and cost base according to market demand and safeguard future competitiveness. Nokia continues to seek savings in operational expenses, looking at all areas and activities across the company."

Vodafone confirms 500 staff cuts

Vodafone UK today announced it is to cut 500 jobs across all areas of its business as part of its strategy to slash £1 billion in annual operating costs by March 2011.

A Vodafone spokesperson said: "Vodafone UK has announced reductions to its operating costs in order for it to compete more effectively in the UK market.

"As customers look for best value in their mobile services, Vodafone intends to reduce its cost base whilst continuing to invest in new products and services to meet changing customer needs.

"The majority of savings will be achieved by taking operating costs out of the business, however, there will also be a reduction of approximately 500 jobs across the business. Staff affected by the decision have been informed today."

New roles are being created to develop total communications services and solutions and in addition the retail estate and online services will be the focus for ongoing investment."

Vodafone said, at the same time, new roles will be created to develop its "total communications services and solutions".

Its "total communications" strategy will be the focus of its retail and web sales operations going forward.

Trade union Connect urged Vodafone this week to work with it to see the redundancies are handled properly.

Connect national officer for Vodafone Steve Thomas said: "These are clearly difficult times and we do understand the pressures that the telecoms sector is under. It is our intention to work with the company to ensure that basic principles of employment are not abandoned and that our members and all Vodafone employees are treated with respect."

The news follows redundancies being made in the network's Irish division, cutting the 1,500-strong workforce by 10 per cent.

In the company's Q4 results released earlier this month, Vodafone group chief executive Vittorio Colao said its £1 billion cost-cutting strategy, announced late last year, was on track.

Vodafone employs 10,000 people in the UK, and 80,000 globally. The latest cuts come after 450 staff were made redundant in March 2008, although many jobs were then redployed.

Its operating costs are £22 billion per year. It said it wants to cut this figure by £500 million by 2010, and by £1 billion by 2011.

Cosine wins Nokia sales contract

Nokia UK has appointed Cosine as its new field sales force agency.

The agency will take over from current contractor CPM in May as Nokia re-focuses its sales drive against the increased competition created by the recession.

Cosine will support the launch of devices including the Nokia N97 and the Nokia 5800 Comes With Music edition, and further developments in Nokia's internet services suite.

Nokia UK managing director Mark Loughran (pictured) said: "The pace of the industry constantly offers new challenges and requires us to keep our approach fresh and innovative.

"The appointment of Cosine demonstrates our commitment to improving our field sales operation to enable us to give our consumers the best possible experience when choosing their new device.

"Cosine is the best in its field and we’re delighted to be working with them as we prepare to launch some of the year’s most anticipiated mobile devices."

Meanwhile, Nokia is also expected to cut around 30 jobs in its Interactive Advertising division.

LG in Meteor, O2 and Voda shops

LG has extended its reach in Ireland by securing network partnerships with Meteor, O2 and Vodafone.

The manufacturer appointed former Meteor dealer manager Kieran Keddy as LG Mobile sales manager for Ireland at the end of last year, tasking him with boosting its portfolio with 3 Ireland, as well as extending LG handsets to the country's other networks.

LG Mobile UK and Ireland sales and marketing director John Barton confirmed: "We've had engagement with all the mobile networks in Ireland.

"Launching the Secret in Q3 opened doors for conversations with Meteor, O2 and Vodafone, and we have done business with each one."

O2 Ireland ekes away Voda share

O2 and Vodafone have grappled for a range of corporate contracts in Ireland, with O2 appearing to come out on top for recent wins.

Mobile News understands O2 scored a deal of around 1,800 handsets for computer manufacturer Dell, as well as around 1,500 for the Glanbia farming co-operative, and around 1,200 for cement company CRH.

Meanwhile, O2 also lost a round of smaller enterprise contracts that were lost to Vodafone. These include a deal of around 400 handsets for pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline Beecham, around 380 for wind energy farming group Airtricity and around 1,000 for engineering company Mercury.

Vodafone is also understood to have retained around 90 per cent of its public sector contracts, with the exception of the Department of Finance and Department of Foreign Affairs, which were both lost to O2. The deals are understood to be for around 120 and 160 handsets respectively.

Neither network confirmed the movements.

A Vodafone Ireland spokesperson said: "Vodafone Ireland is the number one choice of mobile provider to Irish businesses. The company has an overall 43.5 per cent market share and is market leader across all industry segments – corporate, government and small business.

"Vodafone Ireland continues to win the competitive battle for business customers and remains the first choice for mobile solutions in Ireland."

O2 Ireland said: "O2 cannot comment on speculation regarding possible customer wins or losses."

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Brightstar hires NT Plus vet for Germany

Brightstar Europe has confirmed its entry to the German market, as well as the appointment of former NT Plus managing director Axel Grellhorst as the unit's new managing director.

Brightstar Europe, a joint venture between IT distributor Tech Data and mobile handset distributor Brightstar, enters the German market via the existing Tech Data set-up in Osnabrück, in Germany.

Brightstar will offer mobile handsets, accessories, solutions and services for resale in Germany. It said its target market will extend beyond mobile dealers to include IT resellers down the line.

Grellhorst will be responsible for sales, marketing, procurement and product management. Brightstar said he will focus on developing a strong, local team and the expansion both Tech Data and Brightstar in Germany.

Grellhorst reports to Brightstar Europe president Rod Millar.

Lebara's calling card: service

In February 2001, a car carrying three friends passed the Telenor building in Bergen, Norway, on route to the airport.

The driver, Leon Rasiah, spotted his companion in the rear-view mirror, smiling. "Why are you smiling, Ratheesh?" asked Rasiah.

Ratheesan Yoganathan looked back from the Telenor building to his friend. "You know, to build something like that, someone must really have worked hard," he said.

In the passenger seat, Baskaran Kandiah twisted around. "Don’t you think we can do that?" he said.

As the trio waited by the departures board inside the airport, they took a piece of paper and drew up plans for a distribution business to serve the international prepay calling card market.

The new distributor would bring a fresh service ethos to a sector known for its sharp practices, and take its title from the first letters of its founders’ names – Le(on), Ba(skaran), Ra(theesan).

Lebara launched in Norway and the Netherlands in late 2001. Right away, its founders sought to fix a basic trade error; that demand outran supply Friday evening through Saturday night, when businesses shut down and the lines lit up. They immediately put in place 24/7 client services, itself a considerable innovation in the space.

"We didn’t have the money for this kind of thing," says Yoganathan (pictured), today, in a smart Clerkenwell restaurant, a short cab ride from Lebara's international group headquarters in Whitechapel, East London, and a long way from Bergen. "Service was the only thing we could provide."

To understand Lebara’s journey from distributor start-up to multinational mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), one should consider the wild-west calling card sector in which all the current UK ethnic market MVNOs have their roots.

The calling card space for prepay international calls, estimated to be worth £500 million in the UK alone, has largely operated outside of the bounds of the rest of the telecoms industry. Regulatory intervention by Ofcom and its local market equivalents is rare.

By its nature, business is conducted on all sides in a mess of different languages, making the provision of any kind of customer service difficult and giving rise to a culture of deception: charges are rigged in the small print, network quality is poor, support lines are intermittent at best.

Worse, rivalries are fierce and spoiling tactics are notorious. Marketing and distribution to minority groups is diverse and imaginative, but it can also represent a kind of guerilla war for its protagonists.

It can turn nasty too. Anecdotal information about old rivalries from the calling card market spilling over into the new ethnic MVNO space are common.

For his part, Yoganathan prefers to speak only of the billing and customer service issues for long-distance callers.

He says: "The calling card market never provided customer service in the first place. Even if it did, it has rarely been proper service. They might pick up the phone, but that's about it."

He adds: "And that culture from the calling card market is reflected in certain other MVNO operations now."

The point is, from its early development as a distributor, through its investment in switching infrastructure and its reincarnation as a calling card operator in its own right in 2002, to its total reinvention as a mobile service provider in 2004 via an MVNO deal with Dutch operator Telfort (now KPN), Lebara has defined itself against the rest of ethnic market providers.

"We could see from very early on what the ethnic market got, and what it needed," explains Yoganathan.

"The strategy was to be like a mobile operator that provided an international calling element, rather than like a calling card operator that happened to offer the convenience of mobile. There is a significant difference.

"Everything – our branding, pricing, service – is presented as, and measured against, the mobile industry, not the calling card market. We are providing a mobile service after all. And why, just because these customers are making international phone calls, should they be treated differently?"

MWC 2009 preview

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson already announced a few new products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas at the start of January, including the C510, W715 and W508. At MWC, we expect to see the announcement of the C903 – a slider based around the C905 but with a 5-megapixel camera instead.

The phone is likely to include GPS and possibly Wi-Fi (a new feature for non-smartphones being incorporated in other models, including the W705 and W715). Other models likely to be announced will include the C901 (with 5-megapixel camera) and the W395, a no-frills sliding Walkman phone with 2-megapixel camera and motion sensor.

Having announced its intention to produce an Android based smartphone, we also hope to see a concept – but wouldn’t expect a working model just yet. Nor would we expect to see an Xperia X2, although a new smartphone would help Sony Ericsson in its bid to focus on higher-end models in 2009.

Rumours have circulated for some time that until Symbian Foundation devices are announced nearer the end of the year, Sony Ericsson may simply licence and release models using Nokia’s Series 60 user interface as a ‘stop-gap’, having allowed UIQ to lie dormant and eventually die.

Nokia smartphones

Nokia managed to allow its 2008/9 roadmap to get leaked onto the web, so we can be pretty sure there’s going to be some interesting kit announced – such as the E75 and the new Nokia Communicator, which will be similar to the N97 but placed in the Eseries category.

Another Internet Tablet using the Linux-based Maemo platform is rumoured, and this time it’s likely to include an embedded SIM to allow data communication even when you’re away from a Wi-Fi hotspot (and don’t fancy pairing up with your own mobile phone).

HTC and Android

HTC has also had its 2008/9 roadmap leaked but with low-res pictures and loads of variations of the same theme, we don’t expect there to be quite that many individual products announced in one go. Indeed, some may be variants for different territories, or even individual networks.

What we would expect to see is the next Android-based product, which is likely to be offered to multiple networks keen to jump on the Google-phone bandwagon (but not with the underwhelming G1).

The G2 isn’t likely to include a keyboard, meaning the user will have to rely on using the screen instead. We hope application developers have been taking this into account.

Microsoft OS

Microsoft won the battle of the keynote speeches earlier this month, offering the beta release of Windows 7 to the general public, at the same time as Apple was announcing minor updates to its applications and its intention to start dropping DRM from iTunes – long after many others have already done so. But what about mobile users?

Windows Mobile has always had its fair share of critics, and that has even extended to people within Microsoft, who recently admitted it hasn’t stood the test of time (although some might argue it was bad from day one).

The release we’re all waiting for is Windows Mobile 7, which has been designed almost from scratch to take on the latest generation of fingertip controlled user interfaces.

Sadly, MWC is only likely to see an end-of-life update for version 6.

Windows Mobile 6.5 is unlikely to be significantly different to the current 6.1 operating system, but will have some modified applications and a new front-end, much like the devices offered by the likes of HTC and Sony Ericsson to allow you to keep the stylus stored in the phone for a bit longer than normal.

Rest assured, however, at some point the current OS will force you to look for the pointy stick. Not only is Windows Mobile 7 not coming to MWC, but it may not even arrive by the end of the year.

What you should also see is a new range of applications to share your files and data, from your PC to smartphone and even with other platforms - rather like Apple’s Mobile Me service. The question now is when devices will start to ship with V6.5 on them, and will any devices be upgradeable.

Motorola's return

We’re pretty sure Motorola is going to try and get back into the game with some announcements, but so far we’ve not been able to get any reliable information or rumours – beyond the assumption it is going to announce an Android based smartphone (hardly a big surprise considering its one of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance).

The struggling mobile division clearly cannot rely on the cool, but limited, AURA for its future or even the A3100 announced at the CES (a sexy Windows Mobile phone that will probably do rather well in the US, but barely register on the radar over here).

What Motorola needs is another iconic phone like the V3, StarTAC or even the MicroTAC, for those who can remember the early days of cellular.

Unlike the AURA, this icon must actually sell in large numbers. If it does that, it must then avoid the mistake of assuming it will carry the whole brand for years in different colours and with minor upgrades. An icon is one thing, a proper portfolio is another.

We hope that the lack of information doesn’t mean Motorola is going to let us all down, but rather surprise us and steal the show as Palm did in Las Vegas with the Pre (which should also be announced in 3G form). If Motorola doesn’t do well at MWC, it may as well give up and sell up.

Samsung and LG

Samsung and LG have also kept things on the down-low, but one thing is pretty certain; if either announces a phone with some fancy new bits of technology, the other will probably match it.

Sometimes we wonder why LG and Samsung don’t simply merge. All we could find for LG was a high end music phone, the KM900 Opera, and some talk of other touchscreen devices – but no specifics.

Samsung always announces loads of new kit too (this year will be no exception), and it’s safe to assume the following things will feature: imaging, music and touchscreens. The big rumour is the first European 12-megapixel phone.

Hyundai Mobile

Hyundai Mobile, a new player in the UK and another Korean firm, is selling basic phones in Germany and Hungary already and should use MWC to unveil some more exciting kit.

We don’t know much about Hyundai in the phone arena, so it will be worth keeping an eye on it.

Mobile World Congress will also be the place where lots of new services are announced, which PR agencies will promise as the ‘most revolutionary’ or ‘most exciting’ announcements of the year. We’ll wait until the show kicks off before we even begin to start checking these out.

Mainline launches dealer service

Mainline has launched a new online ordering service as part of its existing account management tool, iManage.

Currently dealers can log onto their iManage account via an online web portal and view the information they need to manage their account with the distributor. This includes commission payments, remittances, invoices and corrections.

Dealers now have the added benefit of an online ordering service as well as continuing to use iManage as an administration tool.

Additionally, orders of five or more handsets and those for over £250 worth of accessories will qualify for free standard delivery. Online orders of less than five handsets placed before March 31, will cost just £3.95 to deliver – half the normal price.

Mainline director of dealer sales Gail Hollinshead (pictured) said: "The online ordering is a new service that Mainline has developed after positive feedback from dealers about iManage. We’ve listened to our customers’ needs and created a solution using iManage to compliment our existing services.

"The beauty of iManage is that it can be accessed any time day or night, giving the dealer up-to-the-minute information regarding their Mainline account.

"This can save Mainline dealers both time and money, offering them an enhanced level of customer service when it is most convenient to them."

i-mate meets military specs

Handset manufacturer i-mate has released the 810-F designed in line with military specifications.

The handset has a waterproof rubber casing, QWERTY keyboard and tough touch screen said to be “impact resistant”.

It also comes with tri-band HSDPA and quad-band GSM/EDGE, 2.2GB built-in memory, a 2 megapixel camera with video, GPS, Wi-Fi, digital compass, accelerometer and Bluetooth.

i-mate claims the Windows Mobile 6.1 device can cope with pressure, heat, water, humidity and extreme shock and is functional in -10°C to 60°C, and when in water.

The 810-F comes with a lifetime warranty and Secure i-Q security software allowing users to lock or wipe personal information from the handset from a computer.

Chief executive Jim Morrison said: "Until now, users have had to choose between a compact phone that incorporates the latest features, or one that was big, bulky and very very expensive that could cope with the rigours of a harsh working environment and survive use during adventurous outdoor pursuits.

“The 810-F has been developed to meet the demands of the office, the work site and the outdoors. It is all about performance; whether it's the ability to perform in extreme conditions, or the performance under its skin. For adventurers looking for a phone to match their lifestyle, it's the perfect answer.

Hyundai aims for 5pc share

Hyundai Mobile said it will launch up to 10 handsets this year across a range of customer segments.

Hyundai Mobile UK head of marketing and communications Graham Jelfs said: "The difference between us and the likes of Palm and Toshiba is that Hyundai Mobile has a broad portfolio of handsets that covers most of the market segments.

"We have a complete range of handsets whereas others manufacturers are targeting specific niche markets. We will have 10 products to release by May this year in the UK.

"We won’t release all 10 handsets in the UK but having a selection gives us more opportunities. We hope to announce partnerships with distribution and network operators in the next two months."

Hyundai Mobile UK said it aims to grab up to five per cent of the market share in the next five years.

Tattu to launch dual SIM phone

New budget manufacturer Tattu Mobile is to launch its new dual SIM handset in the UK this quarter. The company is headed up by former NEC, Motorola and Fly Mobile executives.

The dual SIM TS500 is estimated to sell for around 60 pounds. Tattu is looking to retail its products through outlets such as Carphone Warehouse and Argos.

The company, based in Tames, is headed by chief executive Nick Davey, who was at Motorola from 1988 until 1999, leaving as customer service manager. Davey founded Tattu in 2004.

Chief operating officer Andy Press was at electronics company NEC from 1991 until 2000, with his final role being marketing strategy director for EMEA.

Simon Gregory, formerly of budget manufacturer Fly Mobile, has been drafted as Tattu´s head of mobile. The fate of Fly, which launched in the UK around 18 months ago, appears uncertain, with no recent product announcements.

Press said the TS500 was aimed at tariff savvy prepay customers who wanted to benefit from the cheapest tariffs on two different SIMs, and business or consumer travelers who wanted to pair the SIM they use abroad with their home SIM to save money while staying easily connected.

The handset also features a two megapixel camera, Bluetooth, video recording and can browse the web. It will be the first of a range of three dual SIM handsets the manufacturer will release in the UK.

Tattu is also releasing a Bluetooth headset that can double as an MP3 player, called the Octopus. The company is looking to distribute this product through similar outlets to the TS500 handset.