Samsung Elec considers $40-50 phone to fight Nokia

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world's No. 2 mobile phone maker, is considering a low-cost phone model worth $40-50 to fight bigger rival Nokia, a company spokesman said on Monday.

"We are considering a $40-50 phone, if such a model can be cost-competitive," said the spokesman, adding that a decision has not been reached. "It targets Nokia in the emerging markets." (Reporting by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Sei Chong)

http://www.guardian.co.uk

Tiscali to go mobile in 2008

Tiscali is set to relaunch the Toucan Mobile brand it acquired as part of last year's Pipex buyout, though it's still talking to the networks about which lucky operator gets to carry Toucan customers.

Toucan Mobile was part of Pipex, and currently runs on T-Mobile's network. That contract is up for renewal within the next 12 months, so Tiscali could look for a cheaper carrier or just renegotiate its rates with T-Mobile. The the Telegraph puts the Toucan customer base at 7,000 and suggests that the re-launch will be a SIM-only service without subsidised handsets.

Much has been made of companies being able to offer pay-TV and fixed broadband, along with fixed and mobile telephony - the so-called "quad play". Very few companies currently offer all four communications options, though where a component is missing it's either being planned or the company is attempting to make it redundant - such as offering mobile broadband as a replacement for ADSL, or replaced fixed telephony with GSM connections.

A SIM-only offering would put Toucan in the more cost-sensitive end of the market, but the power of cross-selling can be considerable, especially if companies can offer access to the same services over different technologies.

For companies lacking cellular infrastructure being a virtual operator is the only real option, though there are many degrees of virtuality and it remains to be seen if the newly polished Toucan is just a sticker on an existing offering or if they decide to take on some of the service themselves, and integrate it with their existing products.
Source:http://www.theregister.co.uk

Mobile Phone Orange Survey Users Store Old Numbers

According to Orange Mobile phone surveyNearly two thirds of people keep their ex-partner's number on their mobile phone "just in case".

Some do so because they want to feel the number is close to hand, however unlikely or inappropriate it is to ring it, a survey from the Orange company found.

But others keep numbers as if compiling a "little black book" which they can show to friends to boast of their conquests.

The survery of 1,487 people also showed that 63% of people use only half the personal numbers stored in their phones.

Some admitted hoarding old text messages and also keeping embarrassing video clips that they never watch or pass on.

An Orange spokesperson said: "The New Year is a great time to start afresh.

"As the makeover shows say, clear the clutter and you'll be able to see the wood for the trees.

"We should apply the same rules to our lives, our desks and even our mobile phones."
Source:http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews