14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone manufacturers Haier and Alcatel are aiming to enter the US mobile phone market and have showcased several new fashionable handsets at CTIA Wireless 2007.
Haier, a company that was up until now known in the US only for its home appliances, has introduced two new handsets, named Elegance and Sterling that will work on wireless carriers At&t and T-Mobile. The mobile phones won't however be sold through service providers but 'unlocked' through retailers.
Users will thus get to choose what mobile operator they want and simply slip the SIM card they have into their new Haier cell phone. While in Europe and other markets, unlocked phones are a common thing, in the US, most users get their phones on a one or two year contract from carriers, with substantial discounts. The Haier Elegance is already available through selected retailers for a price of around $250, while the Sterling is scheduled to start shipping during June with a price of approximately $280.
Alcatel on the other hand, will be offering its mobiles through wireless carriers, and is planning to export quite a few of its fashion-focused handsets that are already available on other markets. The phone manufacturer is also launching the OT-C820A, a slider that was approved by the FCC and mostly offers music and video capabilities, including special media player keys, Bluetooth with A2DP profile and a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion. The handset also packs other features like a built-in camera with video recording and a2 inch TFT color screen. No details regarding its price or availability were revealed.