China : ZTE Corporation is enhancing 3G mobile TV viewing experience during the forthcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as it officially rolls out U728 ( inset ), the industry’s first-TD-SCDMA TV handset, a wireless device that is capable of receiving crisp and quality TV signals.

This is ZTE’s way of supporting Olympics’ theme of “Technology Olympics” and allowing people to ‘watch Olympic games anytime, anywhere’ in China. The new TD-SCDMA TV handset supports CMMB’s (China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting) mobile TV technology, and will be available in the domestic market in time for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The launching of the new U728 TD-SCDMA TV handset is the result of ZTE’s continuous R&D efforts to help rapidly push the development and promotion of TD-SCDMA technology in China. TD-SCDMA is still in its initial stage of introduction in the mainland due to the absence of equipment that supports the standard. According to SINO-Market Research, a leading China market research firm, 71% of China consumers surveyed was interested in watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on a TV phone, with 41% considering buying one to gain mobile access to the summer sports coverage. The availability of the new ZTE TD-SCDMA handset in the market is expected to further propel the adoption of the standard in China and play a significant role when 3G licenses are issued in the mainland by end of the year.

ZTE’s U728 is a state-of-the-art dual-mode wireless technology that supports TD-SCDMA and GSM+CMMB, and will play a key role in ensuring a smooth and efficient mobile communication during the global event. Designed as a commercial Smartphone, it can simultaneously receive CMMB broadcasting signals, allowing users to watch Olympic programs anytime, anywhere on its 2.8-inch TFT LCD monitor.

Rich 3G features for enhanced multimedia experience The ZTE U728 TD-SCDMA handset is equipped with various 3G services capability such as WAP, VP, MMS, JAVA and video streaming to provide subscribers superb high-speed multi-media services over next-generation 3G network. In terms of channel reception, U728 is capable of smoothly receiving broadcast signals, and allows users to quickly switch TV channels in a fraction of a second. Initial industry users gave the handset a ‘thumbs up’ and positive reviews for its excellent and high quality broadcasting images, reliable voice and visual synchronization features.

Other outstanding features of U728 TD-SCDMA handset include:

• A high-definition video phone that provides high-speed internet browsing
• Supports live TV program broadcasting at a maximum speed of 512 Kbps
• Equipped with a built-in Ultra High Frequency (UHF) telescopic antenna that rotates 360° to maintain high accuracy for channel reception and low frame error ratio
• With ‘hot keys’ to easily play TV programs, pre-set and switch TV channels, hence saving users time on downloading and buffer loading
• Enhanced user interaction with TV programs by allowing them to send program enquiry, receive and forward program details via SMS

“We are pleased to make our first TD-SCDMA TV handset available in the market in time for the holding of one of the most important sporting events in China’s history. As a visionary, we’ve been striving hard to realize the core value of Mobile TV, setting our eye on delivering full range of advanced mobile solutions to meet growing consumer demands for reliable multimedia applications,” said Lin Qiang, General Manager of ZTE Smartphone Production Line, ZTE Corporation. “Over the years, ZTE has been putting our R&D investment in customizing services and solutions for TD-SCDMA TV handset, and the launching of U728 is a culmination of that initiative.”