Sony Ericsson brings 'unlimited entertainment'

Sony Ericsson aims to expand its market share for cellular phones in Asia-Pacific through the introduction of its Entertainment Unlimited (EU)-type mobile phones, reports Malaysia Star.

The new category of phones combines features from its Walkman handphones and Cybershot cameras and would be the new growth driver for Sony Ericsson, going forward, said vice-president for Asia-Pacific, Hirokazu Ishizuka.

The EU-category handset would enhance user experience through entertainment with features such imaging, videos and gaming, he added.

Mobile tariffs in the world's cheapest telecom market are set to fall further by at least 20% to 25% during the year, thanks to the increasing number of telecom operators and infrastructure overcapacity, says Business Standard.

With local call rates at 33 paise (5c) and STD rates at 50 paise (10c) per minute, for most mobile operators, the country has the lowest telecom tariffs in the world.

According to industry analysts, the telecom industry is expecting the new licensees (including Loop Telecom, Datacom Solutions and Unitech Wireless) to commence operations in this year.

Large parts of the UK cannot access the Internet through the country's mobile networks, according to maps published by communications regulator Ofcom, states Guardian.co.uk.

The gaps in 3G mobile coverage are mostly found in rural areas in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the north of England. Ofcom's maps - which show where calls can be made and received outdoors over the various 3G networks - also show significant "not-spots" in the southwest of England and in East Anglia.

Mobile phones are increasingly used to access the Internet, with more than two million new connections to mobile broadband made between February 2008 and February 2009.