02 November 2011

Nokia Picks ST-Ericsson As Supplier Of Chipset
Platforms For Its Future Windows Phone Devices?

ST-Ericsson, a global leader in wireless platforms and semiconductors, has announced today that they’re preparing chips for Nokia to use with its future Windows Phone based smartphones.

So far Microsoft has allowed use of its software only on Qualcomm's chipsets, but according to official press release Nokia has selected ST-Ericsson as a supplier for future devices it plans to introduce based on the Windows Phone mobile platform just as we predicted couple of months ago.

"We are pleased to have been selected by Nokia as a key partner for Windows smartphones, in line with our goal to be present in all segments and major operating systems," said Gilles Delfassy, president and CEO of ST-Ericsson.

"Our NovaThor platforms continue to gain traction as they enable customers to bring great smartphones to the market."

The joint venture between Sweden's Ericsson and STMicroelectronics of France is a key supplier to Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung, and Delfassy said more major customers were to be announced later this year. "A lot of new Tier 1 customers are using our platforms," he said.

Delfassy said company key smartphone platform, the U8500, would ship in "small volumes in the first half, big volumes in the second half.

ST-Ericsson demonstrated at Mobile World Congress a reference design tablet which it has made with Quanta Computer Inc. "We have several tablet program that will turn to volumes this year," Delfassy said.