Panasonic to enter with 3G handsets by 2008

{image-panasonic logo_19122007.gif news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Dec 19: Panasonic Mobile Communications Co is making a comeback with third generation handsets by 2008-end.

''We are bringing third generation handsets to the Indian market very soon,'' Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd Chief Operating Officer Chander Mohan Kohli told the sources.Mr Kohli refused to speak on the cost of these handsets,but he said the company will target premium segment through these handsets. The 3G handest will be sourced into the country through Panasonic's manufacturing facility in China and Indonesia.

''In mainland China, Panasonic's factory will switch to 3G handsets. The company plans to leverage this factory as its core offshore production base,'' Mr Kohli said.

Panasonic Mobile Communications ended development of 2G (second generation) cell phones in mid-2006 in the face of 'severe global competition' to concentrate on development of 3G (third generation) handsets.

Panasonic was the first major cell-phone maker to discontinue second-generation handset operations. The company, which is a unit of Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial, scaled down its overseas workforce at Philippines and Czech Republic plant. 3G is one the emerging technologies in wireless communication, which enables accessing wireless applications and the internet at broadband speeds.

UNI