Although it was widely understood that the commercial rollout of its third generation (3G) network was scheduled to take place in November 2002, Optus spokesperson Louise Ingram said the company never made a commitment on the timing its rollout .
"Optus has never announced a date and we will not make a formal announcement until it's appropriate to do so," Ingram told ZDNet Australia
The comments contradict indications given by SingTel executive Lee Hsien Yang, that the networks have been left wanting for mobile handsets that can meet the demands of the 3G-service provision.
Optus is remaining non-committal when it comes to the commercial launch of its 3G network but admits that it will be timed to the maturation of other technologies, including mobile phones.
Ingram said that Optus must ensure that there are mobile handsets carrying a broad range of brand names and price tags available to consumers.
Antony Wilson, a spokesperson for Nokia - which is contracted to supply infrastructure for Optus' 3G network - agreed that mobile phones aren't ready now, however he said that the company's handsets are on track for release in November this year.
Sony-Ericsson Mobile Communications said it will have trial versions of its 3G handsets available before the end of the year, but doesn't expect to complete its full commercial ramp up until 2003.
"I think some people will be using 3G services next year but it [the network] won't be taking on commercial volumes of users until the second-half of next year," a Sony-Ericsson spokesperson said.
Optus predicts that mobile phone-based data services will account for 25 percent of its total revenues by 2005 and increase to 50 percent by 2010.
