Broadcom Announces New Android Platform to Enable Mass Market Smartphones

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Press release

Cost-Effective Dual-Core Processor Delivers Simultaneous 3G HSDPA Connectivity and Applications Processing for a Compelling User Experience

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced a new baseband platform that provides simultaneous HSDPA modem connectivity and AndroidTM-based applications processing. The new Broadcom® BCM2157 dual-core baseband processor provides a full suite of advanced functionality to deliver high-end smartphone features on more affordable 3G Android handsets. This includes mobile hot-spot, multi-touch screens, innovative media and applications processing, and other capabilities that will help handset makers drive these features to a larger tier of users.

Broadcom is demonstrating its new affordable 3G Android smartphone platform at its Analyst Day conference today in Irvine, California.

Highlights/Key Facts:

  • The features that have made the smartphone widely popular are driving demand for a more affordable tier of handsets, satisfying a broader consumer desire for the ability to run applications, view and share media, and enjoy a dynamic touch screen experience, all at a lower price point.
  • The increasing proliferation of these features is driving growth in mobile data consumption, with a recent study from Informa projecting that smartphone traffic is expected to grow by 700 percent over the next five years.
  • Broadcom's new BCM2157 Android baseband platform will enable handsets to satisfy a broader consumer demand for smartphone features and enable the growth in data traffic among cellular operators.
  • The BCM2157 baseband processor platform includes the following advanced features:
    • 3G HSDPA modem supports 7.2 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream connectivity and worldwide roaming.
    • Built-in support for HVGA displays, multi-touch screens, 5 megapixel digital cameras, 3G dual SIM/dual standby, and other key smartphone capabilities.
    • Powerful dual-core ARM® processors for dedicated modem support and superior application processing (500MHz).
    • Broadcom's complete connectivity suite, featuring industry-leading Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC solutions, including InConcert® technology that makes these various technologies work better together.
    • Support for mobile hotspot functionality, allowing the handset to share the 3G connection with up to 8 simultaneous devices or users via Wi-Fi.
    • The platform is based on mature technology, building on the proven architecture of the BCM2153 and is now sampling to early access customers with first commercial launches expected in Q1 2011.

"The smartphone continues to influence the cellular industry, with defining features like multi-touch screens and the ability to run applications now enriching lower cost handsets. We've maximized the functionality of our new Android-processing baseband platform to enable our partners to deliver the most popular features in more affordable designs." - Scott Bibaud, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom's Mobile Platforms Group