Huawei to replicate Pulse model in UAE

Telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei Technology has completed co-branding its first Android-based handset along with a UK-based telecom operator and is looking at replicating the business model in the UAE.

"The co-branding is complete with T-mobile in the UK and will be launched next month. Huawei is not in the business of retailing handsets. Therefore, it is always much easier cobranding with telecom operators in Europe or North America as they already have a set business model for services and long timer packages for the consumer for two to three years. The handset is free and the customer just pays a flat fee and therefore it's a different business model," said Ihab Ghattas, Assistant President for the Middle East region at Huawei Technologies.

The handset, made by Huawei, is called Pulse and features a 3.5 inch touch-screen, a 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS. The phone contains Google's operating system and comes pre-installed with Google applications such as Google Maps and Gmail. Users will also be able to download software and applications from the Android Marketplace, Google's rival to Apple's iTunes App Store.

"The handset is ready for operators in the region to offer it to consumers here. Android operating system developed by Google is interesting especially as it is coming from a search engine company. With mobile broadband gaining popularity in this part of the world, these kind of handsets will do well," said Ghattas.

Huawei is not the first one this year to launch an Android-based handset as there has been the HTC Magic, a touch-screen device, and the HTC Hero, a mobile phone considered as a serious competitor to the iPhone.

Also, Samsung has unveiled the 17500, its first Android-powered mobile phone. Sandeep Saihgal, General Manager of mobile phones at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: "Samsung is among the earliest members of the Open Handset Alliance and has been actively moving forward to introduce the Android mobile phone. Samsung has always had a consistent strategy to support every existing operating system."

The I7500 is a smartphone, featuring a 3.2 inch Amoled full touch screen and 7.2Mbps HSDPA and WiFi connectivity, giving users access to Google mobile services and full web browsing.

Motorola is also set to launch its own Android phone. Media reports suggest it will feature a 3.7 inch touch-screen and slide-out keyboard, positioning itself as an alternative to BlackBerry or Nokia smartphone.

These entrants do not seem to deter Ghattas. "Mobile phones are part of a lifestyle and is no more just a gadget. Therefore, there is always place for a new player."

Huawei's Pulse will go on sale in October in the UK and will cost £179.99 (Dh1,075). An unlimited internet access will cost an extra £5 per month or £1 per day on top of the standard pay-as-you-go costs. The telecom operator T-Mobile said it was throwing its weight behind the Android platform, and had no intention of selling Apple's iPhone in the UK. The iPhone is currently only available from O2, but that exclusive network partnership is expected to come to an end in the next few months.

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