HPON and Telcel confirmation ...
US wireless handset firm Hop-on.com has started production at its new Mexico City facility, according to a company statement.
The maximum capacity of the line is 75,000 phones a month, according to company. Phones produced on the line will be distributed to other Latin American countries with trade agreements with Mexico, including Argentina, Chile and Nicaragua.
The facility is a "semi-knocked down line" (SKD), meaning its purpose will be to put together phone kits delivered from Hop-on's Asian manufacturer, then load the software and perform testing.
The initial SKD line will involve 30,000 units for an order of 50,000 from Mexican wireless firm Telcel, Hop-on CEO Dan Gannon told BNamericas. The remaining 20,000 in the order will be imported to Mexico as finished goods.
"We will be doing a minimum of 100,000 pieces a month for 2005," Gannon said.
Hop-on markets both CDMA and GSM/GPRS handsets. The company recently opened an office in Mexico City.
By Jay Boynton
BNamericas.com
