Nokia to Launch TD-SCDMA Based Phones by End 2009

Nokia has reaffirmed its commitment to China's 3G standard, TD-SCDMA at the Mobile Asia Congress in Macau. Mr. Colin Giles, President of Nokia China, said at the event: "Nokia firmly supports the development of TD-SCDMA. Our goal is to not only develop TD-SCDMA products that can deliver outstanding user experiences to consumers, but also to work with operators, chipset providers, developers and all parties along the value chain to support the creation of a vibrant TD-SCDMA ecosystem in China."

Nokia has already started the development of a TD-SCDMA mobile phone based on Symbian OS, and plans to launch the product before the end of 2009.

"We are very excited to hear Nokia's announcement today. Symbian OS is a mature and leading global mobile device platform, and we believe that the Nokia TD-SCDMA device will enhance our application offerings and user experiences," said Mr. Wang Jianzhou, Chairman and CEO of China Mobile. "We look forward to working together with Nokia to further drive TD-SCDMA development in China."

Nokia sold just over 70 million mobile phones in China during 2007, giving it a 42% market share.

Although Nokia does not currently have any TD-SCDMA based handsets, the company is a 49% holder in a Chinese joint venture, Potevio with China Putian to develop network infrastructure based on the 3G standard, so it has access to the necessary technical expertise. Potevio was set up in 2005 and has also been the major supplier of equipment to China Mobile's TD-SCDMA trial networks in Tianjin and Qinhuangdao.

Nokia's infrastructure joint venture, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) also recently announced that it is to increase its TD-SCDMA trained engineers to over 1,200 staff, over an undefined timeframe. NSN was the major solution supplier for China Mobile Shen Zhen TD-SCDMA networkÃ's planning, construction and optimization.

Posted to the site on 19th November 2008