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Elektrobit And Freescale Cut 3G Handset Development Time With New Reference Phone


WEBWIRE

World’s first 3G reference phone featuring S60 on Symbian OS.

OULUNSALO, Finland and AUSTIN, Texas - Feb. 8, 2006 - Handset manufacturers will be able to produce a mid-tier 3G phone in less than nine months with a new reference phone being developed by Elektrobit Group Plc (HEX: EBGV1). Based on Freescale Semiconductor’s (NYSE:FSL, FSL.B) MXC300-30 S60 on Symbian OS -based reference design, the reference phone is engineered to be a complete solution for handset manufacturers to quickly customize.

The reference phone shortens development time by being pre-tested for full type approval (FTA) and interoperability testing (IOT). Today’s 3G development cycles can range up to 18 months consuming thousands of engineering hours in development and testing and the reference phone will free resources to focus on innovation.

“By collaborating with Freescale, our 3G reference phone will enable handset OEMs to dramatically reduce their time-to-market of new S60 phones,” said Arto Pietilä Executive Vice President of Elektrobit’s Contract R&D business unit. “With our expertise and leadership in the wireless market, we are developing a cost-effective product to enable the widespread adoption of mid-tier 3G phones.”

This reference phone is designed to fuel explosive 3G growth. According to an IDC November 2005 report, the 3G market is forecast to increase from 62 million handsets in 2005 to 356 million in 2009, a 55 percent CAGR over the period.

“Mass market 3G proliferation will be closer to reality with this reference phone,” said Franz Fink senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Wireless and Mobile Systems Group. “By easing certification and testing, while reducing the electronic bill of materials, Elektrobit and Freescale expect to produce a comprehensive turnkey solution for handset OEMs to get to market quickly.”

“Collaboration of Elektrobit and Freescale is another sign of the success of S60 as the market leading smartphone software, on track to volumes in 3G. The new reference phone is an excellent tool for S60 licensees to optimize time-to-market and economies of scale,” said Matti Vänskä, Vice President of Mobile Software Sales and Marketing for Nokia.

Elektrobit design services
Elektrobit works as a product development partner with companies that use wireless technologies and need high-tech products, solutions and outsourcing services. The company offers complete hardware and software products and design services for all aspects of mobile terminal solutions. As an S60 Boutique and Symbian Independent Design House, Elektrobit offers full turnkey 3G products for OEMs.

About Elektrobit
Elektrobit specializes in wireless technology - the design and life-cycle testing of electronic products, as well as in production automation. Elektrobit Group is a versatile engineering company, which, in addition to its design services, develops, sells and markets its own technologies and products to customers. The company’s customers include the telecommunications, automotive, defense and space, industrial automation, and well-being and medical industries. Elektrobit employs some 1600 wireless technology experts in 14 countries. The Group’s net sales for the year 2004 totaled 203 million euro. Elektrobit Group Plc. is listed on the Helsinki Exchanges.
www.elektrobit.com

Freescale 3G solutions
Freescale delivers a full range of UMTS/W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS platforms and components with a proven software stack, the industry’s first single core modem architecture and full portfolio of connectivity technologies. These open, scalable solutions help to reduce risk and cost, speed and ease time to market, and create design freedom for handset manufacturers, network operators and third party partners and developers. Freescale provides the flexibility to differentiate, cut costs and innovate - it’s freedom for 3G. www.freescale.com/3G

About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL, FSL.B) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500®, is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Freescale Semiconductor Inc. 2006.



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