ST-NXP Wireless brings 3G/UMA to mass market

BANGALORE, INDIA: ST-NXP Wireless today announced the world’s first 3G unlicensed mobile access (UMA) chipset platform is now in mass production, paving the way for a new range of converged fixed and mobile phones with enhanced multimedia capabilities.

The Cellular System Solution 7210 UMA is the first product of its kind that combines UMA and 3G technology in a single solution, enabling handset makers to gain a competitive edge with the ability to offer a wider range of high-speed handsets.

Dual-mode 3G UMA handsets allow customers to seamlessly roam and handover between UMTS cellular networks, GSM/EDGE networks, and home or enterprise WiFi access points. In addition to significant improvements in connectivity and voice quality, the Cellular System Solution 7210 UMA will deliver data speeds at more than 1 Mbits/sec over UMA.

This new development means customers can use one device for fast Internet browsing, streaming video services or access to social networks over the fastest available 3G or WiFi network. When in range, users can take advantage of WiFi to download content and make more affordable voice calls than they can over cellular networks. 

“The next phase of fixed mobile convergence (FMC) services will be about giving customers a faster, richer and simpler broadband experience,” said Dan Rabinovitsj, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cellular Systems, ST-NXP Wireless. “With the Cellular System Solution 7210 UMA, we’re able to deliver high-quality streaming video and fast download speeds. In a WiFi hotspot, consumers will notice the difference in speed when accessing popular social networking sites, and the smooth video quality when watching their favourite clips online. This brings to consumers the broadband speed they typically enjoy on the PC, through a UMTS feature phone.”

There is strong demand for WiFi enabled 3G handsets from both handset makers and operators.  With the 7210 UMA now commercially available, ST-NXP Wireless is ready to help handset manufacturers satisfy the market-demand with handsets that combine the best capabilities of fixed and mobile broadband access.

Mobile operators that see UMA as part of their future convergence strategy will be able expand their range of available handsets, and deliver additional choices to existing and new users. They will also retain more customers and generate more revenue per user by offering rich content services and faster data speeds. UMA will provide better indoor coverage where cellular is limited, as well as reduce network congestion in dense urban areas by offloading traffic to fixed broadband lines. In both cases this will provide a measurable improvement in the quality of service for end users.

ST-NXP Wireless has been a leading provider of UMA solutions since 2006, supplying 2G-enabled dual-mode products to major handset manufacturers across the globe. With world-class manufacturing capability, ST-NXP Wireless can ship the new Cellular System Solution 7210 UMA in the high volumes now in order to meet the short timescales that the mobile industry demands.

Key features of the Cellular System solution 7210 UMA include:

* ARM926-based GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS platform.

* Fully integrated 3 Megapixel camera-sensor interface.

* Display sizes up to QVGA resolution and 18-bit color.

* Video recording and playback: H.263, MPEG-4 30 fps CIF.

* Video playback: H.264 15 fps QCIF.

* Audio playback: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA.