['3' unveils 3G handset in Australia. The NEC e606 is the first handset to offer mobile video calling.]

Melbourne, Australia -- NEC today unveiled the NEC e606, one of Australia's first 3G mobile handsets and the first and only model to offer mobile video calling. From today, the e606 is being marketed by Hutchison Telecoms, under the first global 3G service, branded 3.

"NEC is creating mobile internet solutions with the power to improve the way we all lead our lives, and 3G services represent a milestone in achieving this. Today we're the first to offer mobile video-calling and mobile multimedia, which will revolutionise the delivery of mobile information, communication and entertainment."

NEC's e606 is an all-in-one handset with phone, digital video and picture camera, music player, modem and much more. The silver and black handset has a sleek, contemporary design. It includes 2 built-in cameras for Videotalk, 4-way navigation key, as well as Video and Picture Messaging capabilities. It supports services such as news, weather, finance and horoscopes, comedy, digital music player and contains a modem for internet access.

The e606 is dual-mode (2G:GSM/CSD and 3G:UMTS/W-CDMA), enabling users to access 3G multimedia services and 2G (voice) services, and supports SMS and MMS.

A large 65,536 colour display is suited to Internet browsing and downloading of the range of news, sport, and entertainment services available through 3. The handset also supports a wide range of graphic, audio and video file types, which can be downloaded at speeds of up to 385kbps. Mobile gaming is a key attraction of the e606, which features Java(TM) technology and a memory of up to 32MB.

NEC's 3G handsets have USB connectivity, rendering them adaptable and useful for those wishing to use them not only for gaming and entertainment but also for business-related communications.

"By 2004, we anticipate that a majority of all new mobile phone connections will be using 3G services, and we're very pleased to see the launch of 3G in Australia get off to such a great start. NEC's experience with advanced 3G mobile technologies, integrated cameras and sophisticated functionality in Europe and Japan will be crucial in our re-emergence in the mobile phone market in Australia."

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