MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- BenQ, a leader in networking lifestyle devices, and Kineto Wireless, the key innovator and leading supplier of UMA Technology (Unlicensed Mobile Access), announced today that BenQ is collaborating with Kineto Wireless to develop UMA-enabled dual mode GSM-WiFi handsets. The collaboration is a result of growing demand for UMA Technology, the standard for fixed-mobile convergence, from network service providers around the world.
BenQ's P50 Pocket PC phone is the first product from this collaboration. The P50 is a quad-band GSM/GPRS product with an integrated 802.11b Wi-Fi radio and UMA Client Software from Kineto. The P50 also has an integrated QWERTY keyboard and a complete Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC Phone environment including Windows Media 9 capabilities.
"In forming a strategic relationship with Kineto, we hope to better meet the demand among carriers for UMA enabled devices," said Irwin Chen, Vice President and General Manager of BenQ's Networking and Communication Business Group.
BenQ is using the Kineto Wireless UMA Client Software for the Microsoft Pocket PC Phone environment. Kineto Wireless provides a full compliment of device developer solutions for silicon platform suppliers, mobile handset developers and phone adaptor vendors to integrate UMA Technology. Kineto Wireless licenses Platform Developer Kits (PDKs), UMA Client Software for specific mobile platforms, test tools and integration services.
"UMA Technology is the standard for convergence, and Kineto is pleased to be collaborating with BenQ on the development of UMA-enabled mobile phones," said Mark Powell, vice president and founder of Kineto. "Kineto is providing BenQ with UMA Client Software, test tools and integration services to accelerate the delivery of P50 to market."
The companies intend the P50 to support volume UMA deployments in 2005. The UMA-enabled P50 will be demonstrated in Kineto's booth at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France February 14-17, 2005.
About BenQ
BenQ is an industry leader in networking lifestyle devices with an expertise that encompasses display, storage, imaging, wireless and broadband areas.
BenQ has manufacturing plants in Malaysia, Mexico, China and Taiwan. The company has over 14,467 employees worldwide, supporting a strong global sales marketing and service network spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas. BenQ has research and development facilities in Taiwan (Hsinchu Lab), China (Suzhou Software Development Center) and California, USA (Wireless Technology Center), and has more than 2000 research and development employees in Suzhou, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu and San Diego. BenQ has amassed 2.032 global patents. 2004 revenues exceeded US$5 billion. For more information about BenQ, please visit our website at BenQ.com.
About Kineto Wireless
Kineto Wireless is the key innovator and leading supplier of UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) Technology. With a UMA-enabled network, mobile and fixed line operators can provide a seamless, high-performance mobile voice, data and IMS experience on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks. As the leading provider of UMA Technology, Kineto supplies core network solutions through OEM partnerships with major network infrastructure providers. Kineto also provides UMA-compliant software, development tools and support services to mobile silicon/stack suppliers, mobile handset developers and broadband terminal adapter/wireless access point vendors. Kineto's solutions conform to the open UMA technology specifications, endorsed by major fixed line and mobile operators worldwide. For more information, please visit www.kineto.com.
About UMA Technology
Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology is the standard for fixed-mobile convergence (FMC). UMA technology enables access to mobile voice, data and IMS services over IP broadband access and unlicensed spectrum technologies. By deploying UMA technology, service providers can enable subscribers to roam and handover between cellular networks and public and private unlicensed wireless networks using dual-mode mobile handsets. With UMA, subscribers receive a consistent user experience for their mobile voice, data and IMS services as they transition between networks.
The UMA specifications were created by Alcatel, AT&T Wireless, British Telecom, Cingular, Ericsson, Kineto Wireless, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel, O2, Research in Motion, Rogers Wireless, Siemens, Sony-Ericsson and T-Mobile US. The specifications are available for download at www.umatechnology.org.