Sony Ericsson Delays Availability Of P990 Handset

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson said Monday it has delayed the market introduction of its flagship P990 model, as setting up partnerships with external parties and ramping up production is proving more complex than anticipated.

When the joint venture between Ericsson and Sony launched the product, which is aimed at business users, in October its commercial availability was scheduled for the first quarter of 2006. The new schedule puts back availability to the second quarter.

"It's a complex process to bring such a product to market. It made sense to change the availability," said Sony Ericsson spokesman Gary Lockwood.

Lockwood said there had been no technical glitches in the product to cause the delay.

He added there will be support for the product from a range of companies, including Research In Motion Ltd which makes the popular Blackberry e-mail device.

The P990 will support six different e-mail platforms in addition to Blackberry.

Sony Ericsson Monday launched a new device, the M600, which will directly compete with Blackberry devices.

The M600 is also due to be available in the second quarter, and Lockwood said it is likely to reach the market slightly ahead of the P990.

Sony Ericsson also said Monday it would add a range of new features to the P990.

They include enhanced e-mail functionality and security as well as games and a music player.

The P990 is expected to cost around EUR500 before taxes and operator subsidies. The M600 is expected to cost around EUR350.

Company Web site: http://www.sonyericsson.com

-By Magnus Hansson, Dow Jones Newswires; +46 8 545 130 91; magnus.hansson@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 6th February 2006