MEX

UK UMTS licensee Hutchison 3G has revealed that it is planning to start offering its first next-generation services in the coming weeks, although a company spokesperson has refused to label the process as a ‘launch’.

According to Dow Jones Newswires, Hutchison will be receiving its first batch of 3G handsets on 2nd October, although they would not say from which supplier. The company will then begin a ‘phased rollout’ shortly afterwards, with service availability increasing gradually as networks are switched on and more and more handsets are shipped to retailers.

Hutchison spokesperson Matt Peacock told Dow Jones: “It’s a misnomer to talk about a launch. Internally we are describing it as a phased rollout, rather than a launch. It is a building process rather than a big bang.”