NEC's New 3G Strategy
NEC says it will employ additional platforms from Qualcomm and Ericsson Mobile Platforms as part of their new dual-mode, W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS, 3G handset strategy for global business. NEC recently announced a strategic move to jointly develop system LSIs for 3G; with this platform, they plan to offer a wider range of handsets to meet the demands of 3G mobile operators and end users as 3G market expands globally.
The platform strategy will be modeled based on its success of 2.5G mobile terminal product development strategy driven by NEC’s Chinese operation. In recent years, NEC rapidly organized its mobile terminal business structure in China by effectively combining its resources in Japan and China and those of its partners such as Techfaith Wireless, the largest design house group in China, STEP Technologies, a joint venture of Techfaith Wireless and NEC, and other design houses in China, Korea and Taiwan. The new business structure has empowered NEC with highly effective and speedy product development to introduce many products to the market in a short period.
NEC recently launched its flagship models and other terminals which come in a variety of designs and functions, demonstrating NEC’s cutting-edge mobile technologies in China. More than 20 varieties of terminals will be launched this year for China. NEC Telecom (China) is playing a key role in developing new products not only for China but for the global market by adjusting its platforms developed in China for other markets. Such know-how in 2.5G will add value to its 3G development globally.
By utilizing Qualcomm’s platform, today NEC has introduced prototype of new 3G handset which features a very small and compact design of 86.1cc in volume, 89g in weight and 117mm X 46mm X 16mm in dimensions. It is developed as a popular 3G model with high functionality such as 3G video function, by fully utilizing its resources and staff in China. NEC will launch this terminal at the beginning of 2005 and intends to propose it to carriers in China for their 3G trials.
At the same time, NEC has started developing new 3G handset by using technology supplied by Ericsson Mobile Platforms -a company that brings experience from developing technology for over 200 million units of mobile phones deployed in over 100 countries in the world. NEC will introduce its first commercial terminal of this platform within the 1st half of FY2005 (April 2005-September 2005). NEC will further propose the supply of new EMP-based 3G terminals to Hutchison 3G group and other 3G operators.
By combining these new platforms, mobile and radio technologies and cutting-edge production technologies, particularly in ultra-thin packaging technology which realizes card-shaped mobile terminal (http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/0402/0301.html), NEC will introduce attractive and compact 3G terminals to the global market in an effective manner.
Source: Japan Corporate News Network