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3 launches new pay-as-you-go video mobile - NEC e228

London - 10 August 2004

3, the UK's first video mobile network, is now offering customers the new NEC e228 in shops across the UK.

The NEC e228 video mobile is exclusively available on the 3 network with 3's great value pay-as-you-go tariff, ThreePay. The NEC e228 is NEC's sixth addition to 3's handset portfolio and is now on sale in over 7,000 outlets across the UK.

The NEC e228 is designed to a high specification in performance, size and style and offers 3's exciting video services, including person-to-person video calling, at unbeatable value.

The bar-design measures 129x53x21.5mm and weighs just 125g. It has two high-resolution cameras and a powerful speakerphone for hands-free video and voice-calling. It also has a high quality, 65,536 full-colour screen which is great for watching 3's full-length music videos from BMG and football action from the Barclays Premiership.

The handset also offers email, an MP3 player, 19MB of internal memory and a memory card slot for a Sony MemoryStickTM Duo to store an extra 128MB of content. Additional features include vibrate alert, calendar function, calculator with currency converter and headset.

Gareth Jones, COO, 3 commented: "3 is shaking up the status quo in the UK mobile market by offering great value video mobiles and exciting mobile content. 3 is redefining what customers can expect to get for their money. It's no surprise that the predecessor to the NEC e228 has been the UK's best-selling pre-pay handset*. We expect the NEC e228, with its slimline design and high resolution camera, to be just as popular."

Tony Hutson, Director, NEC UK said: "As the excellence of 3's 3G experience gains increased traction in the UK, so its products and services continue to appeal to a wider and wider audience. We have been committed to working with 3 to ensure that its portfolio of handsets meets and exceeds customer demands for performance and functionality, and the launch of the e228 is the latest step in bringing the benefits of 3G to more mobile users than ever before - delivering an affordable and accessible device."

ThreePay, 3's ground-breaking pay-as-you-go tariff, offers pre-pay customers the same great value as contract tariffs. ThreePay video mobiles like the NEC e228 can be purchased in stores such as Argos, Superdrug and other high-street names like Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U. Top-up vouchers can be purchased in over 60,000 outlets, wherever you see the industry "top-up" sign.

For more information about 3's products, services and tariffs, please visit www.three.co.uk

- Ends -

Notes to editors

NEC e228 specifications

  • Dimensions - 129x53x21.5mm
  • Weight - 125g
  • 2x high resolution cameras, front and back
  • TFT screen - 65,536 full-colour, high resolution 220x176 pixels
  • Dual-mode 3G/WCDMA and 2.5G/GPRS
  • Email, MP3 player, 19MB of internal user memory, memory card slot for a Sony MemoryStick DuoTM to store additional 128 MB of content

    * Based on an independent survey of retailers (multiple and independent) by Mobile magazine date.

    About 3

    Hutchison 3G UK Limited deliver third-generation mobile multimedia and communications services under the 3 brand in the UK, offering a convergence of media, information and telephony to enable live video calls, multimedia content and entertainment while on the move.

    3 services are available from sister companies in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy and Sweden. 3 also holds UMTS licences in Ireland, Israel and Norway.

    For further information, please visit: www.three.co.uk

    Media enquiries:
    3 Press Office
    0207 010 9312
    Katharine Murray at NEC UK
    Tel: 020 8752 3341
    e-mail: katharine.murray@uk.neceur.com

    About NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) (TYSE: 6701)

    NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.1) is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialised needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, through its three market-focused, in-house companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. NEC Corporation employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of approximately $39 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2002. For additional information, please visit: www.nec.com

    About NEC (UK) Ltd

    Founded in 1973, NEC UK is responsible for the marketing, sales, installation and service of a comprehensive range of NEC's IT, communications and display technologies. With a proven track record in technical consultancy and multiple product streams, NEC UK can design, install and manage standalone and integrated solutions for corporate clients and their networks.

    In mobile communications, NEC delivers the latest handsets (3G and 2.5G) and network infrastructure. For the business market, NEC supplies converged network solutions, physical and electronic security systems and advanced IT solutions, from server and storage hardware to e-business and supply chain management services. NEC also offers a complete range of display products and managed services based on its latest display screens and projectors for the corporate, professional AV and home cinema markets.

    The turnover of NEC UK in the calendar year 2002 was 294 million. For further information, please visit: www.nec.co.uk