As a result, the KU250 could, potentially be launched on their networks on six continents that have over 620 million subscribers in total. It will, however be will available to all 3GSM mobile phone operators from the second quarter of 2007.

The GSA says the KU250 will be "available at a wholesale price about 30 percent less than the typical entry-level 3G phone and fully-competitive with the multimedia second-generation handsets on sale today." It was selected from 19 handsets submitted by eight different manufacturers.

The 12 operators also highly commended a 3G handset submitted by Nokia. Also capable of supporting a range of 3G multimedia services, the handset, which is built on the Nokia 6151 platform, uses a Texas Instrument chipset designed to Nokia's specifications.

Meanwhile Motorola's 2G GSM Motofone F3 was recognised by the GSA as the 'Best Ultra Low Cost Handset - 2007' at the Association's annual awards ceremony at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona.{moscomment}