(Economic Times via NewsEdge) The GSM Association (GSMA), representing mobile operators around the world using GSM technology, has initiated a program to introduce low cost 3G phones in India.
Currently, the biggest hurdle to make 3G available to the mass market is the cost of the handset, which can access the high-tech multimedia services.
GSMA is looking to partner with handset vendors to develop a low-cost 3G handset to drive usage in emerging markets like India, which could cost just about half of the current price, or $200 to $250.
'We would like it to come down to sub-$100 levels early next year, assuming 3G services are launched by '06-end in India,' said Craig Ehrlich, chairman of the GSMA.
The GSMA also said the program "would run parallel" to GSMA's Emerging Market Handset program, under which it is already working with vendors to develop low-cost handsets with basic functions.
Under this program, handset prices have already come down to the sub-$30 level.
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