3 offers three new 3G handsets

UK 3G mobile operator 3 has unveiled three new handsets, increasing the number of mobile phones from which consumers can make video calls.

A year since launching 3G services in the UK, the firm has added two new NEC phones to its range, the e616 and e313, as well as the Motorola A925.

All phones will include 3G mobile services, such as person-to-person video calling, streaming and downloading of video footage including Barclaycard Premiership football highlights.

The NEC e616 clamshell phone, priced at £199.99, also has Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in MP3 player and Java games.

The Motorola A925 touch screen smart phone, targeted at business users, includes PDA tools, 65,536-colour wide-screen video playback and a built-in video camera.

NEC's e313 stick phone is available on pay-as-you go and monthly contracts and retails from £99.99. It includes video mobile service capabilities such as MMS and a built-in camera.

"3 is here to challenge the status quo in the mobile market in the UK," said Gareth Jones, chief operating officer at 3, in a statement.

"We're bringing the mobile consumer not just market leading price plans, but market leading handsets."

The new phones will complement the Motorola A835 and A920 phones, both of which retail from £99.99 and offer video calling, Bluetooth, GPS and a built-in camera.

A spokeswoman for 3 said the phones would fill the space of the NEC e606, NEC e808 and Motorola A830, stocks of which are unlikely to be replenished once current inventory has sold out.