Sprint: Launch of 3G services on track

Sprint PCS today said its launch of 3G services remains on track, refuting reports that it could be delayed by as much as six weeks.

Philip Christopher, president and CEO of Audiovox’s wireless division, said in a second quarter earnings call yesterday that Sprint would delay its 3G launch from July to August 10, according to a Reuters report. Handsets based on Audiovox’s Thera pocket PC platform will be part of Sprint PCS’s 3G-product lineup.

A Sprint PCS spokesman, however, said the company never set a specific date for the 3G launch, only saying that it would happen sometime during the summer. He added that the company has been consistent with this message since announcing the 3G launch two years ago.

“Any dates that have appeared in the press are speculation,” he said. “We’re still on track for a summer launch. We’re going to have a full package to flip on when we do launch, and we’re very enthused about that.”

An Audiovox spokeswoman said Christopher answered an analyst question concerning the company’s delivery schedules and that his answer “was interpreted as being a comment on Sprint’s launch dates.”

Audiovox’ has posted an archived file of the audio call on its web site, but did not include a question and answer session. However, question and answer sessions from all other quarters dating back to first quarter 2001 are available.

When asked whether delivery of the Thera handsets would be delayed, the Audiovox spokeswoman said, “To my knowledge, no.”