The Hindu Business Line : Infineon `chips' in to halve handset cost

MOBILE handset price is set to drop below $20 (Rs 869) with the German semiconductor manufacturer, Infineon Technologies, launching low-cost chip platform.

The production costs for mobile phones could be cut by nearly a half, from the current figure of around $35 (Rs 1,521). These costs include the complete mobile phone with its key-pad, display and charging system, software for ensuring ease of use with SMS and phone functions, packaging and documentation.

The new platform reduces the number of components from 200 at present to 100.

"Infineon's platform is ready to release to handset manufacturers as a `reference platform' for new product designs, which means that ultra low-cost handsets could be planned for volume production in the first half of 2006, a company staement said.

In India, Motorola has the cheapest off-the-shelf handset priced at Rs 1,400.

Operators such as Tata Teleservices, Bharti and Reliance are offering handsets manufactured by others such as LG along with a connection for Rs 2,000.

The new chipset is expected to bring down these prices to below Rs 1,000.

Infineon estimates that an ultra low-cost handset would have a standby time of more than ten days and talk-time of more than four hours.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Realty investors turn to Tier II cities for lucrative returns

Infineon `chips' in to halve handset cost

`Break monsoon' expected to get established by Sunday

PSU insurers, hospitals agree on `package deal pricing' — Move to check overcharging of services

Gas pipeline project: India, Pak to appoint financial consultants

MFs' asset base shrinks in June

Consult us on all disinvestment decisions, says Left

ONGC to be worst hit under subsidy sharing

ONGC forays into power, to set up project in Tripura