As local distributor of the leading cell phone manufacturer of Taiwan, Wintel will market DBTEL 2048 sets with the package of GrameenPhone from this month.

The sets will be marketed through other GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) cellphone operators gradually.

Company officials at the launching of DBTEL 2048 said the handsets are light weight, durable and scratch and shock proof.

"The price is within the affordability of customers," Faisal Alim, managing director of Wintel, told a press conference organised to mark the launching of DBTEL handsets. "The sets are comparable with any other European brands."

The set has all standard features including auto redial, graphic display, vibrating alarm, 100 phone memory, call waiting and holding, instant memory checking, reminder calendar, battery signal indicator, calculator, alarm clock and games.

DBTEL 2048 with lithium ion battery has 180-minute talk time and 150-hour standby capacity. The sets are capable of downloading logos and ring-tones.

DBTEL, which also manufactures telephone equipment, has already conducted a study to make the handsets suitable for Bangladesh's weather and network.

In reply to a query, Fernando Fang, manager of Asia Pacific Sales of DBTEL said the company has a plan to invest in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh is a nice country for investment with huge potential for the growth of telecommunications."

Fernando Fang said DBTEL wants to be the number one handset maker in term of quality. His company had previously produced handsets for big brands but they are now concentrating on promoting its own brand.

The Taiwanese company has produced handsets and equipment for US Motorola, Alcatel, Siemens, Philips, AT&T, Telit and many others companies.

Fernando Fang said DBTEL will prove its excellence by providing efficient after sales service to its customers.

ATM Mahabubul Alam, executive director of Wintel, and Noel Carey, managing director of Elite Dragon Asia Limited-Hong Kong, a subsidiary of Wintel, among others, attended the press conference organised at a city hotel.