Orange, the mobile phone arm of France Telecom, could further delay the commercial launch of high-speed, third-generation (3G) handsets until next year, chief executive Mr Sanjiv Ahuja said yesterday.

"If the overall customer experience is not right, I would feel comfortable pushing the 3G launch to next year," Mr Ahuja said at an ETRE technology conference in Cannes.

"Orange believes in (getting it) right the first time and when we launch new products and services we do it right."

Orange, the largest mobile phone company in Britain and France, said it still hoped to sell at least two models made by vendors such as South Korea's LG Electronics and Sony Ericsson in time for Christmas.

"Orange's roadmap for a fourth-quarter launch of 3G services remains unchanged," he noted. But he said last-minute glitches would have to be resolved by early November to ensure a Christmas launch.

Mr Ahuja, who said any 3G phones sold by Orange would be "world class", slammed some of the handsets currently on offer.

"If you want to generate heat, you do not have to use cooking appliances," he said. "I say, use your mobile 3G phone for that. You can fry eggs on them."

The timing of Orange's 3G phone launch is seen by some analysts as a test case of the company's ability to roll out innovative products as it struggles to fend off competition and retain its reputation as a cutting-edge operator.