Video Calling, an "emotional experience"

Following an extensive advertising campaign and months of delay, mobile operator Hutchison's Italian subsidiary, H3G, finally launched last week.

At H3G's head office in Milan, journalist Rebecca Pike was invited to test the new "3" service and reports back in an article in the BBC.

As "all Italians love their mobiles and own at least two - one for business and one for pleasure — which they update more often than their wardrobes", it makes perfect sense that Italy should be amongst the first countries to try out the third- generation phones, and they will also be amongst the first to overcome some of the hurdles that come with it: high priced handsets, expensive services, battery life requiring more power, and spotty network coverage throughout the country.

The new handsets will deliver video clips, TV news broadcasts, share price information or city maps, send e-mails and show the latest sporting events. But the one special feature that Hutchison is pinning it's hopes on for mass appeal, is the video call feature.

At this point in time, there is no demand for this type of service, but to try it is to like it, according to Rebecca Pike, who called her experience an "emotional" one. "Speaking to someone at the same time as seeing the expression on their face, as well as being able to see their surroundings, is a different experience altogether".

emily | 3:09 PM | News, Buzz |
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