According to German news site Xonio, Microsoft's German Managing Director - Michael Müller-Berg - expects to see first Windows Mobile based 3G/UMTS Smartphones earliest in 2005:

"It is assumed that, we will have 3G enabled Windows Mobile mobile phones in the market in 2005; preferably at CeBIT 2005" so Müller-Berg.

Well, that's one year from now which is a fairly long time 8O because most European carriers will launch their 3G/UMTS networks during this year and Microsoft missed an opportunity for a head start. While it is still hard for Microsoft to compete with traditional, well established manufactures like Nokia, Siemens and Sony Ericsson in the 2G/2.5G world; a contemporary 3G launch is an opportunity here; especially since most of the current handset vendors fails to deliver acceptable devices.

As you might know, currently I'm heavily using 3G networks and different terminals for my latest project and I have to admit - that most of the devices I've used so far are far away from the user experience I've expected. So for the the best combination I can use right now is my HTC Himalaya (i-Mate Phone Edition) with a Bluetooth enabled 3G terminal. 3G is a data centric wireless network; you can not deliver better voice experience with 3G than you can already get with 2G but 3G delivers you wireless and real mobile "high speed" data from 128 - 348 Kbit/s. But if the devices fails to deliver this data experiences, 3G will do a false start. Here, a Windows Mobile powered Smartphone would be the proper device but waiting another year will give others a jutty!

Cheers ~ Arne

Related Links : [More Information (in German)]