Al Edwards, Business Co-ordinatorONE OF the world's leading mobile telephone handset providers, Sony Ericsson, has been making strides into the Jamaican market over the last couple of years and now sees Jamaica as its leading market in the region.
Speaking at a function to unveil its latest handsets at the Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston, on Wednesday, Sony Ericsson's marketing manager Anna Hultman said: "We have discovered that Jamaicans require the very latest technology and are very comfortable with the latest gadgets and technology. The P 800 has become very popular and demand is outstripping supply. Jamaica is very important to Sony Ericsson and it is now our biggest market in the Latin American region."
With some 1.9 million subscribers in a population of 2.6 million, the cellular industry is big
business with Cable & Wireless and Digicel fighting it out for market dominance. Oceanic Digital Jamaica is reputed to have the superior CDMA technology but is yet to make an impact. Only this week US Giant AT&T (Wireless) officially acquired a licence for some $360 million to operate a GSM network.
Sony Ericsson's Regional Director Pedro Sanchez said that the technological advances have caught the public's eye and that cell phones can no longer be considered an instrument just to make calls. "Camera phones are now outselling digital phones and technology to improve resolution is developing all the time. This year 11 billion SMS messages have been sent worldwide. Last year there were three billion SMS sent, this year it is projected that eight billion multimedia messages will be sent." Sony Ericsson has unveiled the K700 camera phone, featuring the latest in imaging, multimedia, and entertainment functions as well as an offering of advanced messaging and connectivity technologies. This includes, for example, playing video clips, capturing images and video with the built-in camera and listening to the built-in FM radio. Form follows function in this attractively designed phone which features dual front; one for the phone features and the other for a true camera look-and-feel, moving closer to a design-language inspired by Sony's digital cameras.
With the integrated VGA camera, consumers can take still pictures as well as video clips and either store them in the phone memory or send them as a picture message or an e-mail. Owing to Sony Ericsson's much appreciated QuickShare (TM) feature, it is very simple to use the imaging features of the K700. By one press of its dedicated camera-button, the still or video camera is immediately started. All in all, it only takes a few clicks to capture images and to send them. This ease-of-use is proven to stimulate consumers' usage of the imaging features which in turn also has a positive impact on operators' revenue generation.
The camera features 4x digital zoom and as many consumers use their camera phones in dark environments, such as nightclubs or cafes, and the K700 also features Photo Light to improve the quality of these images.
This triple-band GSM/GPRS phone has 65k TFT colour display, facilitating high-quality multimedia and entertainment and the inbuilt speaker supports polyphonic sound for radiant ring signals and game sound effects. Following the successful launch of the GC82 EDGE PC Card to the American market, Sony Ericsson has unveiled two new additions to its family of EDGE products the GC83 and GC85 PC Cards. Both PC Cards offer increased speed and extended coverage; enhancing the wireless connectivity experience of the mobile professional.
There is a growing trend and need for wireless data communication solutions and there is a demand for a mobile computing solution that promises wireless accessibility, fast data speeds, and true global mobility. Sony Ericsson's EDGE PC Cards and the personal laptop are the answer for those who want to work efficiently and effectively when on the move, out of the office. The GC83 and GC85 offer the power and ease to surf the Internet, downloads files, connect to the corporate networks and manage e-mail from just about anywhere.
Speed When connect to the GSM/EDGE networks, users can enjoy data speeds three times faster than GPRS. This means greatly improved downloading speeds which are very useful for downloading e-mails with large attachments wirelessly.
Coverage The triple band (GSM 850, 1800 and 1900) GC83 specially targets the American Markets. GC83 works in the Americas, as well as Europe and Asia (where above networks are available). The GC85, also a tri-band (GSM 900/1800/1900) EDGE PC Card, targets the European and Asia Pacific markets. The GC85 provides global coverage in all five continents.
The non-extended type II PC Card with a detachable antenna is a distinctive design of the Sony Ericsson's PC Cards. The slim and compact EDGE PC Card allows users to keep the card in the laptop at all times giving them convenient and instant access. Since the PC Cards are powered by the user's laptop, no extra chargers or cables are required.
"The mobile professional wants more than simply keeping in touch with his clients and colleagues when out of the office. He wants to be able to work while on the move. He needs to be sure that his laptop is plugged into the office network, so that he can collaborate with his colleagues and clients in 'real time'. Sony Ericsson is able to meet that need," says Anders Franzen, Corporate Vice President and Head Sony Ericsson M2M Communications Unit.
GC83 will be available in Q2 to the American markets. GC85 will first be available to EMEA in Q3 and then subsequently in other markets.
These products will soon be available in Jamaica.
