Europe : Broadcom Corporation announced the availability of its new dual-mode WEDGE (WCDMA + EDGE) multimedia platform. This new platform offers 3G mobile devices a new class of silicon and software that accelerates time-to-market for next-generation, feature-rich multimedia handsets and dual- mode data cards. Based on field-proven multimedia technology for mobile phones, Broadcom's new WEDGE platform features the highest performance and broadest feature set in a very cost-effective platform.

"The prospect of affordable handsets that deliver high data rates, advanced multimedia processing and the convenience of Bluetooth(R) will hold much appeal for consumers and network operators," said Allen Nogee, Principal Analyst for In-Stat. "Bringing these popular technologies together into a single platform demonstrates the strength of Broadcom's wireless portfolio. In-Stat forecasts this year there will be 55.9 million WCDMA subscribers increasing to 380.1 million by 2008."

EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) and WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) are the two leading global wireless broadband standards required by network operators to deliver 3G multimedia applications like videoconferencing, imaging and video, 3D games and high-end stereo to mobile users. The combination of EDGE and WCDMA technology on a single, cost- effective platform provides mobile users with a more seamless experience as they roam within networks enabled by both technologies while taking advantage of the highest network connection speed available. Mobile device design complexity is also minimized by combining the leading mobile wireless and multimedia technologies onto a single platform of high performance silicon and advanced software. As a result, network operators achieve greater cost savings and flexibility by being able to selectively deploy either EDGE or WCDMA technology based on network requirements.

"With the convergence of WCDMA and EDGE in a single platform solution, Broadcom is well positioned to offer customers the most advanced and field- proven technology for 3G multimedia handsets," said Robert Rango, Group Vice President of Broadcom's Mobile & Wireless Group. "Broadcom is unique in its ability to also offer industry-leading Bluetooth capabilities as well as our new multimedia processor, which is all bundled together as an integrated platform and complete solution unmatched in the industry."

Dual-Mode WEDGE Platform Details

The WEDGE platform consists of four key devices, along with a new generation of dual-mode protocol stack software. The platform features the field-proven Broadcom(R) BCM2132 EDGE processor combined with the BCM2140 WCDMA co-processor to provide a complete dual-mode WCDMA and EDGE solution. Both processors build on Broadcom's leadership in silicon baseband solutions.

In addition to supporting 2.5G and 3G connectivity, the new dual-mode WEDGE platform also provides industry-leading multimedia performance with the Broadcom BCM2702 multimedia processor. It boasts an impressive array of multimedia features including 8 mega-pixel digital camera capabilities, VGA video record and playback at 30fps, 3D graphics and gaming, TV output, a 64- tone polyphonic ringer and MP3 player capabilities, all achieved at unrivaled levels of power consumption.

Rounding out the wireless capabilities in the WEDGE platform is the Broadcom single-chip BCM2045 Blutonium(R) Bluetooth transceiver and WIDCOMM(R) software that integrates the industry's most extensive offering of Bluetooth profiles, including advanced stereo headset functionality and video streaming. The complete WEDGE platform, including silicon and software, provides the lowest bill of materials cost, lowest power and highest performance of any such 3G solution on the market. Broadcom has several major customers developing handsets and data products for launch later this year, which are currently in field trials.

Availability

The Broadcom dual-mode WEDGE platform is currently sampling to customers. In addition, the individual components that comprise the platform, which include the BCM2140 WCDMA co-processor, BCM2132 EDGE processor, BCM2702 multimedia processor and BCM2045 single-chip Bluetooth transceiver, are available for stand-alone applications. Pricing available upon request.