Huawei 3G Phone

It looks like Orascom Telecom is using localized Korean versions of 3G phones from China’s Huawei.  According to this article, the service has attracted 6,000 applications in 2 weeks.  There is no mention of the approval process.

In addition to the expected calling charges, the handsets will run around $600USD.

“The price is quite high,” said Naguib Sawiris, Chairman of Orascom Telecom. “The government has put a big tax on handsets and it’s making it difficult for everyone to participate but we are having negotiations with the government to reduce that.”

There is no mention of the data services that will be available.  Certainly, much of the appeal to go to an advanced 3G network is lost when there are no data services.  But, apparently, there will be all the tools and goodies for officials to eavesdrop on calls - perhaps that’s the real appeal for this network from the government’s perspective.