UTStarcom set to unveil dual-technology 3G phones
29/6/2004 15:25
UTStarcom Inc.
will unveil mobile phones that support both the Little Smart service and
third-generation mobile telecom standards around the end of this year, according
to James Wang, senior sales engineer with the Nasdaq-listed telecom equipment
supplier, which is famous for its Little Smart business.
The company is
developing WCDMA/PHS and CDMA2000/PHS phones, he said.
WCDMA (Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access) and CDMA2000 are two of the three 3G standards, while
PHS is the abbreviation of Personal Handy System, or the Little Smart
service.
"We are increasing our focus on 3G development" said Wang, "nearly
half of our research staff are engaged in 3G development."
"The company's
goal is to provide solutions for all three 3G standards for mobile telecom
operators," he added.
UTStarcom's China unit is involved in WCDMA and
TD-SCDMA (Time Division - Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) products,
while its overseas arms are focusing on TD-CDMA and CDMA2000 products, according
to Jennifer Wu, technical sales manager with UTStarcom's enterprise marketing
department.
Despite the increasing focus on 3G development, the development
of dual-technology phones reflects UTStarcom's continuing ambition in the Little
Smart market, analysts pointed out.
Wu echoed this judgment by anticipating
the longevity of China's telecom market with the use of both 3G products and the
cordless Little Smart service.
Entry into the 3G arena will not phase out the
Little Smart service, she argued.
The Little Smart service is inferior in
voice quality to mobile telecom but it's cheaper, which is attractive to phone
users.
UTStarcom holds more than 60 percent of China's Little Smart market in
network equipment and 29 million of China's 54 million Little Smart customers
are using UTStarcom phones.
The company has reportedly unveiled a
dual-technology phone that supports both the Little Smart service and the GSM
system in Vietnam.
GSM is the second-generation mobile telecom technology
now widely used.
The phone is not marketed in China.
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