Panasonic Withdraws from GSM Handset Market

Panasonic Mobile says that it will phase out development of GSM mobile phones due to severe global competition. By concentrating resources into next-generation mobile terminal technologies, as well as unifying platforms and core technologies for the Japanese and overseas markets, Panasonic Mobile aims to improve development efficiency and product competitiveness. Sales and service activities for the current GSM products will continue.

Starting next year, Panasonic Mobile will accelerate the development of a global platform based on the Linux Operating System that is now being used in mobile terminals for the Japanese market. Furthermore, the Linux OS-based platform will be integrated into Matsushita's newly developed system LSI, resulting in the establishment of global platforms through integrating core technologies for wireless modem and AV processing.

By focusing on the development of a Linux OS-based global platform, Panasonic Mobile will close R&D operations at Panasonic Mobile Communications Development in the United States, which has been developing other OS platforms. In addition, R&D operations at Panasonic Mobile Communications Development of Europe in the UK will concentrate on the development of 3G and next-generation technologies such as wireless modems and platforms.

Panasonic Mobile in the Philippine, where mainly GSM terminals have been produced will be closed. The GSM manufacturing in the production lines at Panasonic Mobile in the Czech Republic will be discontinued. GSM manufacturing at Panasonic Putian Mobile Communications Beijing in China will shift to 3G mobile terminal production."

Posted to the site on 12th December 2005