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QUALCOMM Introduces First Dual-Mode Chip for WCDMA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE

QUALCOMM Incorporated pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced further steps to reduce development costs for WCDMA (UMTS) markets worldwide with the introduction of the radioOne(TM) RTR6275(TM) solution. The RTR6275 device is the wireless industry’s first single-chip RF CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transceiver for dual-mode WCDMA (UMTS)/HSDPA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE (EGPRS) terminals.

New Nokia 3G Mobile Phone for Japan

The dual-mode GSM / W-CDMA “Nokia 7600” handset which was announced last October will finally hit the streets in Japan by middle of June. At the suggested retail price of 73,290 yen (or approx. $700 usd) and apparently not supporting Vodafone Live, although it conforms to the .3gpp standard, we wonder just how well this will be recieved. The unit does have a camera built-in its stylish Euro design [.jpg image] to compliment the bluetooth and global roaming sim card functions, and will be available at Nokia shops online and at Narita airport.

New Digital TV Phone from KDDI

KDDI R&D Laboratories announced that they have developed Japan’s first digital TV cellphone. Developed in cooperation with NHK Science and Technical Research Laboratories (NHK STRL), the new mobile phone is fully compatible with Broadcasting Mark-up Language (BML) to enable interactivity between mobile content and terrestrial digital TV services. Japan’s cellular terrestrial digital broadcasting service is set for launch in 2005.

Technology Enabling Mobile Media Delivery

New technology and business plans are making 3G networks profitable for NTT DoCoMo and other Japanese carriers, as well as for content providers. Powerful terminals, workable billing and rich content all contribute to fast growth. Japanese mobile users can receive media content — news and information in the form of text, images and video — delivered direct to their phones, and they access media while mobile in large numbers. In Part 1 of a story published today on the JMR site, WWJ editor Daniel Scuka delves into the technologies making media content delivery via mobile a reality, including Web, Java, TV, and FM radio. Log on for a review of the highlights. “Japan’s Success in Mobile Media Has Wanna-Be Messages for West”.

DoCoMo Set to Shift Focus

NTT, the majority shareholder of DoCoMo, is set to announce the appointment of Masao Nakamura as the new president of Japan’s largest mobile operator in a move that is expected to increase the influence of its parent company and shift the mobile group’s focus to the domestic market. Until recently, DoCoMo had been widely expected to pick Shiro Tsuda, also a senior executive vice-president, to replace Keiji Tachikawa, the group’s president for the past six years.

UPDATE: It’s official Masao Nakamura is set to become President and CEO.

W-CDMA's Future in China Questionable

UTStarcom, Inc, a leading US-based telecom equipment manufacturer, has grown rapidly with a strategy of focusing on China’s market. In the following interview, the Nikkei Weekly interviews Masahiko Yabuki, a board member and general manager of UTStarcom Japan KK, who tells the magazine that he believes W-CDMA has a ropey future in China.