South Korean Mobile Networks Won't Sell Google's Nexus S Smartphone

Published on: 1st Jan 1970: 1:33am

­Although South Korea's Samsung is the company manufacturing Google's latest smartphone, the Nexus S, there is no sign of it appearing in shops in Samsung's home country. The Korea Times, citing sources at the networks says that they are unwilling to sell the smartphone because Google is insisting on its distinctive software applications, making it difficult for the carriers to launch locally-customized telecom services.

"Currently, we have no plans to introduce Google's latest Android handset," Lee In-won, a senior spokesman for Korea Telecom confirmed to the newspaper. The mobile network had however offered the earlier Google Phone, the Nexus One, although sales had been disapointing with just 50,000 units sold over the past six months.

SK Telecom spokeswoman Cindy Kang said her firm is still waiting for a change in Google's stance in terms of overseas marketing.

"The Nexus S won't make a huge impact enough to break the current iPhone stronghold," said one SK official, adding it's been difficult to upload SK's well-known software services such as T-Map onto the device.

On the web: Korea Times

 

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