INQ plans more handsets, and looks beyond 3UK

Following the success of its Skype handset, INQ has announced it plans to release three new phones in 2009 and is in talks with several operators on distributing its social mobile handsets by 2010. The company maintains its sub-£150 handsets have proven their ability to boost data revenues among younger Facebook users.

According to INQ's CEO, Frank Meehan, the company is already negotiating with other UK operators and by 2010 plans to sell phones on operators other than 3UK--albeit that INQ is owned by 3's parent company, Hutchison Whampoa. Meehan claims Windows Live Messenger usage is around four times greater than on other 3G phones on the 3UK network, with around 50 per cent of INQ1 customers accessing the service every month. Skype is used by 19 per cent of the INQ1 base.

The company said it also plans to broaden its handset range in 2010 and intends to expand into Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Meehan added: "We are doing well--the Skype phones and INQ device have sold 700,000 so far. The next Skype phone will do well based on that."

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Mobile Today
 

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