The Carphone Warehouse signs Exclusive Distribution Deal with Pogo Technology
2001 News
October 31st, 2001
The Unique Pogo Wireless Device Available January 2002
The Carphone Warehouse has today signed an exclusive distribution deal with Pogo Technology, developer of the first UK wireless device to deliver full mobile access to the World Wide Web without the need for 3G technology. The unique product will be available through the extensive Carphone Warehouse distribution network ( by the end of January 2002).
A hybrid between a PDA and a mobile phone, the Pogo combines unrestricted access to the internet with e-mail, short messaging service (SMS), diary, networked address book and MP3 capabilities. Only last month, The Pogo device was described by the British Design Council as “a compelling product solution that will appeal to discerning buyers, who value the contribution of design in this new era of consumer electronics.”
The Carphone Warehouse will be the first retailer to offer the product to UK consumers from a number of key retail outlets along with its website, http://www.carphonewarehouse.com.
Pogo’s patented technology uses existing global systems for mobile networks to deliver today what 3G promises for the future. It is differentiated from other current offerings by in-house developed compression-based technology which delivers wireless internet browsing at an effective bandwidth of 56Kbps, compared to the 9.6kbps of the GSM networks, resulting in a swift and pleasant user experience.
The deal marks another major landmark for a UK start up that has been closely watched by the media since it announced its intention to launch earlier this year. Analyst house IDG recently announced that it estimated the market for handheld devices to be worth approximated $26bn by 2004, although the vast majority of this will target business users.
Charles Dunstone, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Carphone Warehouse said: “The Pogo device is perfect for our customers who are always keen to be the first to get their hands on new technology, preferably in advance of their peers. Being both a UK business and, rather uniquely, a start-up developer of handheld devices it gives me great pleasure to be able to support this young and potentially very successful home grown business.”
David Ishag, CEO and co-founder of Pogo Technology added: “As arguably the leading name in telecoms retail we could not have asked for anything more from our first distribution deal in the UK. Carphone Warehouse will provide us with the perfect platforms both on and offline to showcase the potential of the Pogo device to consumers and we are extremely confident that the product will quickly catch the imagination of consumers around the UK.”
Pogo Technology is also in discussion with a number of network operators and distributors in key European and Asian countries.
For further information
The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC
Tristia Clarke, 07771 868 601