3 confirms price cut for 3G phones

Perhaps the public is really not interested in paying more for the "opportunity" to see a soccer match on the little tiny screen. Or not very interested in writing e-mails using a phone keypad. Something that I still don't understand, is why operators think that mobile services have to be provided with such limited interfaces. May be we need a phone with touch screen, but not the size of the Pocket PC Phone Edition?

3, the first 3G mobile operator in Europe, confirmed on Friday a reduction in price for some handset models after weak sale figures.

Analysts say heavy discounting may be the only way the Hong Kong-based conglomerate will hit an ambitious target of selling two million 3G phones in Europe by the end of this year. 3 UK retail handset prices range from 399 to 449 pounds ($625-703).

Although Hutchison's Italian 3G operator had signed up 50,000 users by March 20, the UK venture had only 10,000 subscribers to its name by that date. 3 UK is offering three packages: a pay-as-you-go deal with no monthly rental, and two packages with bundled voice, video and e-mail allowances priced at 60 and 100 pounds per month.

Whereas half-price handsets had previously only been for the latter two packages, 3 said they would now also be available to pay-as-you-go customers until the end of April.