August 19, 2005

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. is gearing up to sell its first Walkman phone in the United States.

However, the company is planning to sell the phone through its Web site and not through a wireless carrier like Cingular Wireless or T-Mobile USA Inc.

Sony Ericsson's W800 Walkman phone will sell for $500 on the company's Internet site and through Sony Corp. retail stores starting Aug. 26.

The candybar-style GSM phone features a 2-megapixel camera, a digital music player, Bluetooth and support for removable memory cards.

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A Sony Ericsson spokesman said the phone does not support the GSM 850 MHz band, which is why it was not picked up by one of the nation's GSM carriers.

The W800 is primarily intended for sales in Europe, but the company is also selling it online in the United States for users interested in the device.

The device supports the 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 900 MHz bands. GSM carriers in the United States use the 1900 MHz and 850 MHz bands.

The Sony Ericsson spokesman said the company also is planning to launch its W600 Walkman phone, which is designed for U.S. GSM networks, in the United States. He declined to say whether a carrier would support that device, or when it would be available.

A variety of handset vendors, including Nokia Corp. and others, sell devices without the support of a carrier.

Source: RCR News