BT Cellnet launches first GPRS phones
Consumers using the handsets will get the first chance to experience fast and 'always on' access to the internet.
Customers will be able to access the UK's first 2.5G network via the Motorola Timeport T260 GPRS handset, currently the only GPRS handset available in the UK on any network.
The Motorola T260 costing £199 (inc VAT) is initially available to purchase from 31 BT Cellnet retail stores—including The Mobile Phone Store, DX Communications and the BT Shop as well as some branches of The Carphone Warehouse and The Link.
The Tri-band T260 allows customers to access WAP sites, and send text messages, faxes and e-mails. Standby time is up to 150 hours and talktime 210 minutes. Further devices from other manufacturers are expected to become available soon.
Two consumer GPRS tariffs are available to customers from today and unlike traditional monthly tariffs, customers are charged by the kilobyte of data sent and received and not by time of connection.
A basic introductory service costing just £3.99 per month allows users download data at 2p per kilobyte. The value bundle costing £7.99 per month gives users 1MB of free downloads every month, which equates to 1000 free WAP pages or 400 e-mails. Any additional data downloaded is charged at £3.99 per MB pro rata. The GPRS monthly subscription does not include voice calls and is charged in addition to regular monthly voice tariffs.
Customers using GPRS devices will also be able to answer voice calls whilst in the middle of emailing or viewing WAP sites without losing data; once the voice call is complete the data call will automatically pick up where it was halted with no extra charges incurred.
BT Cellnet's general manager wireless data Stuart Newstead said: "The mobile internet is here to stay and now, with GPRS, BT Cellnet is taking the next step in making it even more accessible. We are delighted to be the first UK operator delivering always connected and always on, data services to UK consumers".
Source: BT Cellnet
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