By Ron Coates, 29 March 2001 14:55
NEWS The Japanese consumer giant hopes to make its mobile phone handset business a full division to make up the slack forced on it by the slowing US economy and problems with Playstation 2. Mat Hanrahan, analyst at Bloor Research, said: "I've been saying this for some time - the Japanese are coming and other handset makers are going to have to take notice. Handsets are now a commodity and Sony and other Japanese firms are experts in commodities and consumer items." Sony, which already owns a general and life insurance company, has filed with the Japanese regulator to set up Sony Bank on 2 April, aiming to attract 400,000 customers within three years. The company said: "The intention is to provide comprehensive personal banking services which exploit the special merits of the internet." The reorganisation will mean that three of Sony's major divisions, or 'network companies' as the company calls them, will be devoted to communications: digital telecommunications - mobile phone design and manufacturing; mobile networks - development of mobile laptops, handheld computers, personal audio and digital video cameras; and broadband solutions.
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
Log in or create your silicon.com account below