DHAKA: Samsung voiced annoyance on Thursday after South Korean telecoms operators released its latest smartphone ahead of schedule in order to dodge sales restrictions imposed by regulators.

The world’s biggest mobile phone maker had planned to release the Galaxy S5, first unveiled in February, globally on April 11.

But the South’s top operator SK Telecom, along with smaller rivals KT and LG Uplus, started selling the phone on Thursday, reports The Straits Times.

Seoul’s telecoms regulators have suspended all three firms from signing up new customers for 45-day periods each, ranging from March to May, as a penalty for offering illegal discounts.

BDST: 1610 HRS, MAR 27, 2014