Jim,

I think your comment was directed both to me and the group as a whole.

I posted the article to share the new innovation because I have the same
sentiments you do.  it will be the first phone to seamlessly integrate both
wireless technologies.  the so-called dual band or tri-band phones are GSM
phones that access the different wireless frequencies used in Europe, the
United States, Latin America, and Asia.  with this phone not only will
frequency switching be possible but cell phone technologies as well so one
can travel the world and use only one phone, regardless of the local
wireless system in use or the transmission frequency.

yes, if breakthroughs like this are happening, access could be created as
well.

when will integrated, affordable access be available?  given that we can't
sue these guys, it will happen when the bush Administration says it will,
which may be a long time from now depending on the election.

Kelly

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Ruby" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "'Kelly Pierce'" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 6:42 PM
Subject: RE: Motorola to launch the first dual-band phone


I wonder where accessibility will fit in to this new and wonderful phone. I
like Motorola but I have never seen a 100% accessible phone. Sure wish there
was one that would talk through all its functions and menus. Maybe there is
and I don't know about it?




-----Original Message-----
From: VICUG-L: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kelly Pierce
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 11:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Motorola to launch the first dual-band phone


the two biggest CDMA operators in the united States are Verizon and sprint.

Kelly


the financial times
    Published: May 30 2004 21:59 | Last Updated: May 30 2004 21:59


    Motorola to launch the first dual-band phone

    By Mure Dickie in Beijing


    Motorola , facing a challenge to its dominance of the Chinese mobile
phone market, is preparing to launch a handset that works with both of the
world's dominant wireless standards, the first time such technology would be
introduced anywhere.

    The new "world phone", which can be used on both the GSM and CDMA
networks, will become available by the end of the third quarter, potentially
helping China Unicom, the country's second largest mobile operator, to lure
more customers to its slow-growing CDMA services.

    Motorola dominated the Chinese mobile market, the world's largest in
terms of subscribers, but has come under increasing pressure from Chinese
manufacturers in recent years.

    Some telecommunications analysts have expressed concerns about the cost
and technical performance of such dual-band phones but Motorola insists that
its handset will function as well as standard models and allow users to
access data services on both networks.

    The dual phone, priced 20 per cent higher than the average high-end CDMA
phone, will be launched through China Unicom, followed by Indian CDMA
operators Tata and Reliance and Verizon Wireless of the US.

    Motorola's move comes as the US telecoms equipment company claims to
have stemmed a decline in its market share in China.

    Ron Garriques, a Motorola senior vice-president, said the company had
been regaining market share since last November and expected to remain
China's top handset provider with about 17 to 21 per cent of total sales. He
said it had fought back by focusing on neglected smaller cities and
improving its products.

    "I don't think we will ever get back to the low 30s market share that we
once had . . . but I think that is okay," he said.

    For CDMA-focused operators such as China Unicom, the new phone offers a
chance to appeal to high-value customers who often travel abroad and who
tend to favour GSM services because the standard is more widely used round
the world.

    Among China's mobile phone users, about 228m are users of
European-developed GSM while 22.5m have opted for the CDMA standard favoured
in the US.

    Motorola is likely to continue to face strong competition from local
rivals with strong marketing networks and international vendors trying to
expand into China. Japan's NEC on Friday u nveiled a restructuring of its
Chinese mobile phone operations and plans to introduce more than 20 new
handsets this year.


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