SHANGHAI, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ --
Spreadtrum Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRD; "Spreadtrum" or the
"Company"), a leading fabless semiconductor provider in
China with advanced technology in
both 2G and 3G wireless communications standards, today announced
the commercial availability of two low-cost Android smartphone
platforms, the SC8805G for TD-SCDMA and the SC6810 for EDGE/WiFi.
The two 40nm-based 600MHz solutions are based on a low power,
cost efficient architecture that lower total phone cost to
US$40-50, well below currently
available smartphones and easily within reach of sub-$100 retail prices. This entry point can
accelerate the overall footprint for smartphones in China and emerging markets by appealing to
consumers who might otherwise choose a high end feature phone and
by expanding smartphone distribution beyond operator channels to
the open market.
"The SC8805G and SC6810 mark Spreadtrum's entry into the
smartphone category," said Dr. Leo
Li, Spreadtrum's president and chief executive officer.
"We have combined our expertise in 40nm baseband platforms
and highly integrated systems to deliver a low-cost solution in a
new price segment that will make smartphone devices more accessible
to consumers in China and emerging
markets."
Spreadtrum also reaffirmed previously-released Q4 revenue
guidance of US$188 million - US$194
million and gross margin guidance of approximately 41%.
Dr. Li added, "Our smartphone solutions for TD and EDGE/WiFi
are now commercially available and have started shipping.
Demand in our 2G and 3G business lines remains healthy and we
are on track to meet or exceed our Q4 revenue outlook."
The SC8805G and the SC6810 are based on Spreadtrum's turnkey
platform, which consists of a hardware reference design and
compliance-tested software suite that reduces the engineering
requirement and accelerates time to market for handset
manufacturers. The two solutions incorporate an ARM-9 600MHz
processor, integrate power management and support Android 2.2, 2D
graphics, camera support up to 5MP, MPEG4 decoder and encoder, an
HVGA touch screen LCD display, as well as connectivity and
broadcast functions including Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM and mobile
TV.
The SC8805G targets China's
growing demand for low-cost smartphones, supporting China Mobile's
TD-SCDMA standard. China Mobile estimates that next year more than
30 million TD-SCDMA smart phones will be sold to consumers, most in
the low-cost segment. The SC6810 is designed for emerging markets,
where 3G rollouts are still in development and EDGE/WiFi provides
consumers interested in a smartphone experience with the best
coverage available.
The two platforms have been designed into models by more than a
dozen handset manufacturers, with the first models expected to ship
this month. Designs with Spreadtrum's SC8805G have passed
China Mobile's qualification testing, paving the way for product
launch.
About Spreadtrum Communications
Spreadtrum Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRD; "Spreadtrum") is
a fabless semiconductor company that develops baseband and RF
processor solutions for the wireless communications market.
Spreadtrum combines its semiconductor design expertise with
its software development capabilities to deliver highly integrated
baseband processors with multimedia functionality and power
management. Spreadtrum has developed solutions based on an
open development platform, enabling its customers to develop
customized wireless products that are feature-rich to meet their
cost and time-to-market requirements. For more information, visit
www.spreadtrum.com.
Safe Harbor Statements:
This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within
the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, the ability of Spreadtrum's
SC8805G and SC6810 to accelerate the overall footprint for smart
phones in China and emerging
markets, the ability of Spreadtrum's low-cost solution in a new
price segment to make smartphone devices more accessible to
consumers in China and developing
country markets, Spreadtrum's expectation on meeting or exceeding
its Q4 revenue outlook, China's
growing demand for low-cost smartphones, China Mobile's estimate on
more than 30 million TD-SCDMA smart phones (most in the low-cost
segment) to be sold next year, and Spreadtrum's expectation on the
first models shipping in December
2011. The Company uses words like 'believe,' 'anticipate,'
'intend,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'project' and similar expressions
to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements
are forward-looking in nature and involve risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual market trends and the Company's actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons.
Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
continuing competitive pressure in the semiconductor industry and
the effect of such pressure on prices, unpredictable changes in
technology and consumer demand for smart phones, market acceptance
of Spreadtrum's SC8805G and SC6810, the growing demand for low-cost
smartphones in China and emerging
markets, the state of and any change in the Company's relationship
with its major customers, and changes in political, economic, legal
and social conditions in China.
For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and
other factors, please consider the information contained in the
Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the 'SEC') and the annual report on Form 20-F filed on
April 6, 2011, as amended, especially
the sections under 'Risk Factors' and such other documents that the
Company may file with the SEC from time to time, including on Form
6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this
press release, and does not intend to update any forward-looking
statement whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise except as required by law.
SOURCE Spreadtrum Communications, Inc.