BARCELONA, Spain, February 12 /PRNewswire/ --
- New Smart Entry Phone Promises to Bridge the Digital Divide
An alliance of leading hardware and software vendors have joined
together to develop the world's lowest cost smart entry phone that enables
email and web-based messaging functions. The new Smart Entry Phone (SEP),
which is targeted at emerging markets, will also enable simultaneous access
to all leading communication portals such as MSN, ICQ, Chikka or Yahoo.
The Mobile ULC2 Alliance consists of Infineon Technologies, Jurong
Technologies Industrial Corpn. Ltd, TJAT Systems Ltd. and Brightstar Corp.
Infineon will develop the technology platform; TJAT Systems will enable all
mobile messaging and integrated services; and Jurong Technologies will
integrate Infineon's technology platform and other systems to produce the
SEP. Brightstar will be the worldwide distributor of the new handset.
The Mobile ULC2 Alliance believes that the SEP will remove the
affordability barrier in offering the lowest BOM costs, which incorporates
high end functions such as email, localised services and IM. The ULC2
Alliance believes that the SEP offers both network operators and consumers
in emerging markets a ground breaking new development by combining
exceptionally low operational costs with no requirement for additional
infrastructure purchases.
According to ABI Research, the developed markets' high saturation rates
means that over 80% of new mobile phone subscribers in the next five years
will come from emerging markets. ABI Research projects that by 2011, almost
one out of every four handset shipped globally will be an ultra low cost
handset. India will be the biggest market in the next five years, growing
from a little over nine million handsets in 2006 to more than 116 million
handsets in 2011.
According to Gideon Drori CEO of TJAT, the mobile messaging company,
"Only an unselfish alliance such as this could have produced such an
important breakthrough, especially significant for countries lacking
communication and digital infrastructure - finally truly 'bridging the
digital divide'. The New Smart Entry phone will be affordable by all
segments of society giving everyone the ability to communicate. We are
convinced that this is a truly life changing development."
"The demand for low-cost, easy-to-use mobiles is constantly increasing,
particularly in the emerging markets. Yet while this is so, many people
still don't want to be without functions normally offered only in the
high-end segment. Our server-based instant messaging solution achieved
together with TJAT gives our target group low-cost access to mobile
internet", said Prof. Dr. Hermann Eul, Member of the Management Board of
Infineon Technologies AG and Head of the Communication Solutions Business
Group.
Marcelo Claure, president, CEO & chairman of Brightstar said, "This
combined device solution will provide access to affordable push email and
Instant messaging capabilities to consumers. With our global infrastructure
in over 50 countries on six continents, Brightstar is uniquely positioned
to distribute these revolutionary devices in emerging countries in Asia and
around the globe. This unique combination of technological expertise and
vast reach puts this partnership in a position to meet a wide array of
communication requirements"
"We are pleased to enter into this collaboration with Infineon and TJAT
Systems to produce the world's first and lowest-cost smart entry phone with
web-based communication functions. We believe that there is a huge market
potential for such a product, particularly in Asia, where internet usage
and wireless handset subscription are both at an all-time high. Thus, we
are pleased to have secured a valuable partner in Brightstar, who will be
marketing the new smart entry phone worldwide, starting from the Asia
Pacific," said Mr Cheang Chee Ming, President and CEO of Jurong
Technologies.
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and
system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society:
energy efficiency, communications and security. In fiscal year 2006 (ending
September), the company achieved sales of Euro 7.9 billion (including
Qimonda sales of Euro 3.8 billion) with approximately 42,000 employees
worldwide (including approximately 12,000 Qimonda employees). With a global
presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the US from
Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore, and in Japan from
Tokyo. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New
York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). http://www.infineon.com
About Tjat
The TJAT Messaging Service is a browser-based mobile clientless
solution that can be used to mobilise communications through existing
Instant messaging communities (ICQ, MSN etc.). Tjat's portfolio includes;
tCHAT - simple but powerful IM solution; tMAIL - mobile email; tSPACE -
remote media & file library; tPIX - personal remote storage for sharing
media and tBRIDGE - a SIP / IMS based IM service. For further information
about Tjat, please visit http://www.tjat.com.
About Jurong Technologies
Established in 1986, Singapore Exchange Main Board-listed, Jurong
Technologies, provides Electronics Manufacturing Services ("EMS") to
Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs") and Original Design Manufacturers
("ODM") in the wireless communication, hard disk drive, networking, PC
peripherals and industrial sectors.
Headquartered in Singapore, Jurong Technologies has a wide
manufacturing footprint with seven production facilities in Singapore,
Malaysia, China (Suzhou and Tianjin), Indonesia (Batam), Thailand and
Brazil (Jaguariuna). It has also established sales and marketing support
offices in Singapore and the United States.
With fully integrated operations, the Group is capable of providing a
full range of EMS solutions to its customers that includes product design
and development; raw material procurement and management; prototyping;
print circuit board assembly; partial and complete box-build assembly;
modular products; and supporting Original Design Manufacturers. It has
added new metal and plastic solutions to its manufacturing capabilities
that will enhance its service offerings and value-add to its customers.
For further information, please visit http://www.jurtech.com
About Brightstar
Brightstar Corp. is a global leader in customized distribution and
supply chain solutions for the wireless industry. With global headquarters
in Miami, FL, Brightstar operates sales, distribution and manufacturing
facilities in 50 countries on six continents. The company provides
solutions to more than 30,000 network operators, MVNOs, retailers,
resellers and independent agents around the world, and also represents the
world's leading wireless manufacturers. For more information, visit
http://www.brightstarcorp.com.
Timothy Focas
tim@eclat.co.uk
tel:+44(0)118-989-5600
Dianne Canhan
dianne@eclat.co.uk
tel: +44(0)118-989-5600
SOURCE The Mobile ULC2 Alliance
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CONTACT: Timothy Focas, tim@eclat.co.uk, tel:+44(0)118-989-5600; Dianne Canhan, dianne@eclat.co.uk, tel: +44(0)118-989-5600
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