[October 17, 2005] Texas Instruments Collaborates with Leading Chinese Handset Manufacturer to Deliver Cost-Efficient Handset Solutions for China Tweet BEIJING, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advancing its commitment to fuel growth in emerging markets worldwide by providing wireless solutions for low-cost handsets, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) today announced that its 2.5G wireless platform has been selected by leading Chinese manufacturer TCL Communication Technology (TCT) for developing affordable 2.5G handsets. As part of its roadmap to address the growing requirement for low- cost handsets, TCT plans to leverage TI's 2.5G and DRP(TM)-based single-chip cell phone technology in its handsets. TCT was recently awarded a special commendation by the GSM Association for its efforts in developing its ultra- low-cost handset line. TCT is a worldwide leader in its domestic market of handsets. Recognizing the need for affordable handsets in developing countries, TI's 2.5G wireless roadmap is designed to further reduce system costs, laying the foundation for rapid design of voice-centric, low-cost devices for manufacturers, including TCT. The OT-E157 is the first in a series of handsets TCT will develop using TI's 2.5G solutions. Announced in first quarter 2005 and expected to ship in volume in October, the OT-E157 is a voice-centric handset that will include popular features like basic messaging applications, polyphonic ring tones, an alarm clock and games. Additionally, the device will retail at approximately $40 USD, an attractive price point required to drive mass adoption in low-cost markets. "This first product results from close collaboration with TI, whose extensive wireless expertise enabled us to quickly design a low-cost handset where pricing is a critical ingredient in the recipe for success," said Mr. Liu Fei, CEO, TCT. "With the selection of TI's 2.5G technology, we are establishing a relationship that will provide trendy, yet affordable wireless devices to rapidly-growing markets like China and Latin America." TI's full Class 12 GSM/GPRS TCS2010 chipset will power the OT-E157. Shipping in volume today, the TCS2010 allows manufacturers to achieve low system BOM while providing applications processing capabilities. Additionally, the chipset incorporates power saving innovations that double stand-by time over previous-generation devices. For more information on TI's TCS2010, see the product bulletin on TI's Web site. TCT's product roadmap also includes ultra-low-cost handsets based on TI's single-chip cell phone solution, which was announced in January and targets the mass-market voice-centric marketplace. Developed using TI's DRP (Digital RF Processor) technology and advanced 90 nanometer CMOS manufacturing process, the single-chip cell phone solution integrates the bulk of handset electronics onto a single chip, including digital baseband, SRAM, logic, RF, power management and analog functions. This pioneering approach to wireless chip design dramatically reduces cost, power requirements, board area and silicon area -- critical factors for designing high-volume, entry-level mobile phones. This innovative technology, sampling today, makes for a more cost-effective, powerful, versatile mobile phone for emerging markets like Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. "TI's wireless technology is empowering people to connect, communicate and exchange information in places where it hasn't yet been possible," said Larry Tan, TI vice president, Asia Marketing and Sales. "Our cost-efficient solutions are enabling companies like TCT to build devices with the features and functionalities their customers want at prices they can afford." Today's announcement underscores TI's commitment to provide low-cost solutions for emerging markets worldwide. Drawing upon more than 15 years of wireless systems expertise, TI is the worldwide leader in developing 2.5G wireless solutions. The company's success is evident in the numbers. Worldwide, more than 1.8 billion handsets have shipped with a TI digital baseband and 250+ million 2.5G cellular system chipsets have shipped to more than 35 customers. Texas Instruments - Making Wireless TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN, Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband. TI offers custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application processors, as well as core digital signal processor and analog technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes. Please visit http://www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for additional information. About Texas Instruments Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/ About TCL Communication Technology Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, TCL Communication Technology is a member company of one of the largest producers of electronic devices in China -- TCL Holdings Co., Ltd. TCL Communication Technology is a hi-tech company committed to R&D, manufacturing and sales of mobile terminal products. Along with other Chinese mobile phone manufacturers, TCL is greatly supported by the State Development Planning Commission and the Ministry of Information Industry (MII). Safe Harbor Statement Statements contained in this press release regarding development and growth in the wireless industry and other statements of management's beliefs, goals and expectations may be considered "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. The following factors and the factors discussed in TI's most recent Form 10-K could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements contained in this press release: development of alternative solutions and competing wireless standards and actual market demand for TI products in China. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release. Trademarks DRP is a trademark of Texas Instruments. All registered trademarks and other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010105/NEF016LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk [email protected] Texas Instruments Incorporated CONTACT: Sandy Lin, Asia, +886-2-2376-2588, or [email protected] , orPatty Arellano, +1-214-480-4665, or [email protected] , both of TexasInstruments Incorporated; or Brad Mays, +1-972-341-2507, [email protected] , for Texas Instruments Incorporated. Please do notpublish these e-mail addresses or phone numbers. Web site: http://www.ti.com/http://www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]