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`Dumb phones' -- the next big thing?

Asian telecom executives yesterday called on the world's mobile-phone makers to manufacture cheaper, less fancy handsets in order to realize the full potential of the region's mass market.

Amid the hype over high-speed third generation (3G) mobile services, Asia remains a huge market for low-cost "dumb phones" capable only of voice and text, the 3GSM World Congress of the telecommunications industry heard.

Lim Chuan Poh, chief executive of SingTel Mobile, said there was no doubt of the need to serve the high-end market of frequent travelers and heavy users.

However, large parts of Asia remain under-served or even unserved largely because people cannot afford to own a handphone.

"To realize this untapped potential, there is a need for us to put the emphasis on developing low-cost technology for Asian markets, not just networks but also handsets," Lim said, noting a "general reluctance" to make cheaper phones.
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