BT's 3G Manx showcase set for November

NEWS BT's wireless division, mmO2, will be spun off at the same time as the telco launches its commercial 3G service on the Isle of Man. The launch was postponed in May because the handset partner, NEC, failed to produce 3G-enabled handsets and also because the network was hamstrung by technical problems. However, NEC - one of the two manufacturers to deliver 3G handsets for NTT DoCoMo's network users in Tokyo - has finally coughed up the goods. A NEC spokesman today told silicon.com: "We have the 3G terminal for the European market, which will be launched commercially at the same time as the demerger of BT Wireless." The spokesman defined "commercially" as having handsets available for purchase in public outlets. However, a spokesman for BT denied the 3G launch was imminent. He said: "We will be giving out devices to beta-test customers shortly and have said we will launch the service later this year." If it gains full shareholder approval, mmO2 will be free from BT on 19 November this year, enough time for a 3G launch to be arranged. The spokesman at NEC said the Isle of Man handsets were simpler versions of those deployed during the DoCoMo launch. NEC has provided BT and Manx Telecom with the infrastructure and basic integration of the island's 3G network, including the base stations, network routers and radio controllers.