Qualcomm and the GSM Association (GSMA) today celebrated a milestone in the “3G for All” initiativeâ€?s handset design competition with the selection of the LG KU250 by a panel of leading network operators. The handset is powered by Qualcommâ€?s chipset technology to deliver a wide range of advanced wireless features that meet operatorsâ€? specifications – at a price point to drive 3G capabilities to a much wider base of users than ever before. The initiative was launched by the GSMA in June of 2006 to help make feature-rich handsets accessible to more consumers in developed and developing countries.
“The 3G handset initiative was launched as a project to make advanced mobile capabilities more accessible to people around the world, and the LG KU250 handset delivers on the promises of 3G at a price point that brings it within reach for new market tiers,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA. “We congratulate Qualcomm on the outcome of the â€?3G for Allâ€? selection process. Qualcomm has provided enthusiastic support for the GSMAâ€?s goals for the program, as well as significant efforts on behalf of their vendor partners, such as LG.”
“LG is very excited about the selection of the KU250 as the handset for the â€?3G for Allâ€? initiative,” said Dominique Oh, Vice President of Marketing Europe and CIS, LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Qualcommâ€?s chipset and our teamâ€?s dedication to this project made it possible for us to offer compelling features while meeting the needs of the twelve operators who have chosen this model for their subscribers.”
“Vodafone is very pleased with this milestone accomplishment in the GSMAâ€?s â€?3G for Allâ€? program, and we look forward to seeing benefits throughout the mobile industry,” said Jens Schulte Bockum, Global Director of Terminals, Vodafone. “We recognize the importance of chipset vendors like Qualcomm in reducing the price gap between 3G and 2.5G terminals and in delivering 3G performance at mass-market cost points. We anticipate this will help fuel the growth of the entry-level 3G market as a whole.”
“Qualcomm believes that one of our responsibilities to the market is helping make advanced wireless voice and Internet connectivity available to more people worldwide,” said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm. “We are proud to have been a part of this program with the GSMA and appreciate their initiative in bringing the industry together toward this common goal of speeding the growth of 3G and multimedia services worldwide, enhancing competition and consumer choice.”
The LG KU250, selected by the 12 operators from a range of finalists, will potentially be launched on their networks that currently span six continents. Powered by the Qualcomm Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM6245 chipset for WCDMA/EDGE/GPRS/GSM handsets, the KU250 handset features Internet browsing, mobile music and a wide range of other 3G services.