Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 8:17:31 GMT 7
Samsung irked by early Galaxy S5 release in South Korea
March 27, 2014 3:04 pm
SEOUL - Samsung voiced annoyance Thursday after South Korean telecoms operators released its latest smartphone ahead of schedule in order to dodge sales restrictions imposed by regulators.
The world’s biggest mobile phone maker had planned to release the Galaxy S5 -- first unveiled in February -- globally on April 11.
But the South’s top operator SK Telecom, along with smaller rivals KT and LG Uplus, started selling the phone on Thursday.
Seoul’s telecoms regulators have suspended all three firms from signing up new customers for 45-day periods each -- ranging from March to May -- as a penalty for offering illegal discounts.
SK Telecom’s business suspension begins April 5 -- before Samsung’s planned Galaxy S5 launch date -- and continues until May 19.
Samsung said in a statement that the earlier-than-scheduled release was made "independently" without its consent.
"We express our regret at this decision and we are working to verify all the facts," it said, adding it would stick to the April 11 release date for the rest of the world.
SK Telecom said the early release was motivated by a desire to "meet customer needs more quickly". It declined to elaborate further.
Samsung is hoping the Galaxy S5 will cement its lead in the global smartphone market.
AFP
March 27, 2014 3:04 pm
SEOUL - Samsung voiced annoyance Thursday after South Korean telecoms operators released its latest smartphone ahead of schedule in order to dodge sales restrictions imposed by regulators.
The world’s biggest mobile phone maker had planned to release the Galaxy S5 -- first unveiled in February -- globally on April 11.
But the South’s top operator SK Telecom, along with smaller rivals KT and LG Uplus, started selling the phone on Thursday.
Seoul’s telecoms regulators have suspended all three firms from signing up new customers for 45-day periods each -- ranging from March to May -- as a penalty for offering illegal discounts.
SK Telecom’s business suspension begins April 5 -- before Samsung’s planned Galaxy S5 launch date -- and continues until May 19.
Samsung said in a statement that the earlier-than-scheduled release was made "independently" without its consent.
"We express our regret at this decision and we are working to verify all the facts," it said, adding it would stick to the April 11 release date for the rest of the world.
SK Telecom said the early release was motivated by a desire to "meet customer needs more quickly". It declined to elaborate further.
Samsung is hoping the Galaxy S5 will cement its lead in the global smartphone market.
AFP