Pantech Group, the number two mobile phone company in South Korea, and TELUS, Canada’s second largest CDMA service operator, today announced the Canadian launch of the Pantech PN-3200. The launch, in partnership with TELUS, marks the first time that Pantech has provided handsets under its own brand in Canada.

Targeted at young trend setters, the slim, modern PN-3200 handset combines a sophisticated design with practical and wide ranging functionality, including Bluetooth applications.

Mike Cost, Chief Operating Officer, Pantech (North America), said: “The introduction of the PN-3200 handset in Canada and our strengthened partnership with TELUS are the latest stages in our efforts to position Pantech as a global brand. Although this is the first time for us to offer our products under the Pantech brand in this market, we are confident that the PN-3200, with its exciting features and cool design, will quickly find favor with Canadian users.”

Canada is a key element of the wider North American market. The current total number of mobile subscribers in the country is 17 million, representing more than 50 per cent of the Canadian population. Pantech has supplied mobile phones to TELUS since the late 1990s as an original design manufacturer.

The PN-3200 is a clamshell style mobile phone with an exceptional range of applications for users, including VGA camera with video player, music player, along with a stereo system, supporting a number of different audio formats. The PN-3200 operates on TELUS’ national digital 1X network.

Pantech has increased its presence in the North American market in recent months with enhanced brand awareness and direct supplies to operators. Last June, Pantech introduced the Pantech C300, the world’s smallest camera flip phone in the GSM arena, to the U.S.