Cell Phone Chip Brings 3G, Wi-Fi Together

As cell phone users increasingly use their handsets to browse the Web and stream media, ST-NXP Wireless is rolling out a chip that enables roaming and holdover among 3G, EDGE, and Wi-Fi networks.

The company's Cellular System Solution 7210 UMA will be able to deliver data speeds at more than 1 Mbps over Unlicensed Mobile Access and Wi-Fi. The company said the chip will provide better indoor coverage where cellular is limited, as well as reduce network congestion in dense urban areas by off-loading traffic to fixed broadband lines.

"With the Cellular Systems Solution 7210 UMA, we're able to deliver high-quality streaming video and fast download speeds," said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior VP of ST-NXP, in a statement. "In a Wi-Fi hotspot, consumers will notice the difference in speed when accessing popular social networking sites, and the smooth video quality when watching their favorite clips online. This brings to consumers the broadband speed they typically enjoy on the PC, through a UMTS feature phone."

The new chip also has an integrated 3-megapixel camera-sensor interface and can accommodate display sizes up to QVGA resolution. The chip also will be capable of providing a multimedia experience as it can handle video recording and playback, and it can handle playing audio files.

The demand for 3G handsets is growing globally, and ST-NXP's chip could help spur adoption. Integrating Wi-Fi and 3G on the same chip could lead to cheaper handsets and thinner devices, and it should provide better battery life. The company said it's aiming for the mass markets, so these chips could wind up in many midtier devices.