Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (S12.SG) has been forced to delay its consumer trial for third generation wireless services, a company spokeswoman said, citing "handset issues."

SingTel didn't elaborate on the handset issues that contributed to the delay, but operators in Hong Kong have been facing a handset shortage from phone makers.

SingTel's one-month consumer trial was due to start in December.

Southeast Asia's biggest telecom operator also cited the holiday period where many customers "would be out of town" as another reason for the delay. It added that it was looking at an "alternative" date now for the trial.

"There are some 3G handset issues that need to be resolved. We are looking at an alternative date to start the 3G customer trial and will make an announcement on this in due course," SingTel spokeswoman Andrienne Tho said.