European Markets Targeted With Philips-Powered 3G Handset

US : As a result of its long-standing partnership with Royal Philips Electronics, TCT, the leading Chinese mobile handset manufacturer, will develop its first 3G/UMTS handset based on a Philips Nexperia(TM) Cellular System Solution. With 3G/UMTS technology, consumers benefit from high-speed wireless connectivity, enabling advanced, data-intensive applications such as real-time audio and video. TCL Communication Technology (TCT) is a leader in its domestic market, with sales of approximately 15 million handsets in 2004.

By using the Nexperia Cellular System Solution 7210, TCT will be able to capitalize on the fast-growing market opportunity for 3G/UMTS handsets, bringing advanced multimedia capabilities to consumers whilst simplifying the product development process. The solution offers TCT the opportunity to deliver integrated, feature-rich handsets to its rapidly expanding customer base, at home and abroad.

"Our long-term partnership with Philips as a provider of semiconductor technology and cellular systems know-how is moving up the value chain with the development of our first 3G handset. After the success we've had in our domestic market with Philips' System Solution approach, we plan to launch our first 3G handset in both China and Europe," said Fei Liu, Chief Executive Officer, TCT.

"With its domestic success TCT is perfectly placed to capitalize on increasing global demand for 3G handsets," said Gert-Jan Kaat, senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile & Personal Business Unit, Philips Semiconductors. "By adopting our Cellular System approach, TCT benefits from shortened handset development time whilst ensuring that its handsets are among the most sophisticated available to the consumer."

Philips' Nexperia System Solution 7210 is a complete 3G/UMTS hardware and software solution, incorporating complete baseband, RF and multimedia functionality. The advanced solution can play a variety of audio and video formats, including MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 and H.264. It also incorporates FM radio functionality.

Philips has pioneered the system solution approach since 1999. Today more than 150 million Nexperia-based systems have been brought to market.