Motorola cites steady growth for iDEN phones

Motorola continues to gain ground for iDEN phones in the small- and medium-sized business sector. iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) is a technology developed exclusively by Motorola.

iDEN phones combines the benefits of a digital two-way radio, mobile phone, text pager and Internet microbrowser in a single palm-sized handset.

According to Greg Page, director for operations for Asia-Pacific of Motorola’s iDEN International Subscriber Division, the steady growth in the demand for iDEN handsets can be attributed to the product line’s ability to meet the distinct demands of business-oriented consumers.

He cited the constant stream of new iDEN handset models and the consistent development of additional innovative features as factors that contribute to the handset’s growing popularity among dynamic Asian entrepreneurs.

Page, who was recently in Manila for the launch of the i80s and i90c handsets, the newest iDEN products from Motorola, also noted that growth in the manufacturing, retail and hospitality industries contribute to the increase in the demand for iDEN phones.

"Motorola’s iDEN handsets are really custom-designed as a business tool, with a variety of features and applications to help business-oriented individuals achieve efficiently in the business environment," Page said.

iDEN handsets, he added, cater to a very niche market and carry features that allow users to run various applications.

In particular, the Motorola i80s and i90c handsets use Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) technology that allows users to download applications, and the Packet Data-based micro browser which keeps users constantly connected with "always-on" wireless Web access.

These applications range from business programs such as corporate e-mail, database and directory access, to productivity tools, such as dictionary and unit converter, to entertainment and games.

With the introduction of the i80s and i90c models, Motorola has now delivered five Java technology-enabled phones, each with a different style to meet users’ personal preferences.

Page said, "Motorola handsets are not just lifestyle phones. They are honest-to-goodness business tools that can function as a mobile office, personal digital assistant and mobile radio, among many other things, all in one."

"There is certainly a market here, in which Motorola is definitely making a good impact," he said, adding that the company is currently tapping local Java developers to create new applications for Motorola’s Java-enabled handsets to attract more users.