Pantech Group and TELUS, the Canadian CDMA service operator, announced the launch of the Pantech PN-3200. The launch marks the first time that Pantech has provided handsets under its own brand in Canada.

Targeted at young trend setters, the slim PN-3200 handset combines a sophisticated design with practical and wide ranging functionality, including Bluetooth applications. The clamshell mobile phone comes with a VGA camera with video player, music player, along with a stereo system, supporting a number of different audio formats. The PN-3200 operates on TELUS' national digital 1X network.

Mike Cost, Chief Operating Officer, Pantech (North America), said: "The introduction of the PN-3200 handset in Canada and our strengthened partnership with TELUS are the latest stages in our efforts to position Pantech as a global brand. Although this is the first time for us to offer our products under the Pantech brand in this market, we are confident that the PN-3200, with its exciting features and cool design, will quickly find favor with Canadian users."

Canada is a key element of the wider North American market, with 17 million mobile subscribers, representing more than 50 per cent of the Canadian population. Pantech has supplied mobile phones to TELUS since the late 1990s.