China Telecom has launched an online store to sell branded mobile handsets for its new CDMA mobile phone service, named "Esurfing", the company announced on Dec. 12.

The store, located at www.hicdma.com, sells CDMA mobile handsets supplied by a number of manufacturers, including Samsung, Nokia, LG, Motorola, Huawei, ZTE and Dopod. Prices range from RMB 200 ($29.21) to over RMB 7,000 ($1,022).

At present, 26 handset models are available through the shop, with a further 25 models to be made available by the end of December, according to an unnamed China Telecom staff member. Purchases can be made through bank payments and third-party payment systems.

"China Telecom has invested a huge amount of money to build the 'Esurfing' brand. However, since it's a new entrant to mobile phone services, it will take some time for customers to get familiar with the new brand. Moreover, since a majority of Chinese customers are not accustomed to online shopping, China Telecom's new online shop will not generate satisfying results in the short term", Chen Yuan, a marketing expert, said.

Chinese newspaper Southern Daily reported on Dec. 10 that China Telecom will invest a total of RMB 120 million ($17.53 million) in advertising Esurfing CDMA services in the project's first budget, and will release the new 189 CDMA mobile number prefix nationwide on Dec. 20.

Source:INTERFAX-CHINA