Wavecom SA, a leading developer of digital wireless standard modules (WISMO(R)), today announced that TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. has chosen Wavecom's WISMO to power its new generation of handsets, the key to the company's worldwide expansion.
This is the first time that TCL is launching a complete range of WISMO-based mobile telephones, and is vital to its aim of moving into the global handset market.
The new range will include TCL's first smartphone, the 9188, powered by WISMO Pac P3103B. Other new products include the 3188 handset, powered by WISMO Pac P3103A, and the 3288 GPRS handset targeting international markets, powered by the quad-band module WISMO Quik Q2486B.
"We are delighted to continue our relationship with Wavecom as our company expands into new markets," said TCL Director Chambers Wong. "The WISMO range meets all our needs as our product range develops - offering lightweight but full featured GSM and GPRS voice and data communications functionality for all potential markets. We are confident that, by continuing our strong working relationship with Wavecom, we will be able to bring our new products to market quickly and easily, and therefore support our planned expansion worldwide."
"This renewed confidence from TCL once again demonstrates the success of our WISMO modules," said Jean-Charles Andreani, Managing Director of Wavecom Asia Pacific Limited, Wavecom's Hong Kong subsidiary. "Our product continues to be well received by Chinese manufacturers, who are confident that, with Wavecom, their products will be able to move quickly onto the international stage. We're extremely pleased to move our relationship with TCL on to the next level."
Aram Hekimian, Wavecom's CEO, commented: "The Chinese handset market is continuing to grow, with anticipated sales of over 5 million new handsets per month from 2002 to 2003. Asia continues to provide a strong basis for the future growth of the company, and we're very happy that our long term customers, such as TCL, are continuing to view Wavecom as the key to their future growth."
TCL Mobile Communication began working with Wavecom in 1999, with an initial order for 200,000 WISMO modules which enabled the company to enter the GSM mobile telephone market for the first time. The company has continued to implement Wavecom products as its range has expanded.
Total TCL orders of WISMO modules received from 1999 through today number more than 4.3 million units, of which 1.5 million units were delivered through December 31, 2001.