Telecom Lead Asia: Idea Cellular has selected Broadcom’s integrated Android 4.0 platform for its Idea Ivory smartphone.
New Idea Ivory phones, which are currently available in the Indian 3G market, feature 1GHz HSPA processor, VideoCore graphics and 3G/2G Dual SIM Dual Standby.
Chip company Broadcom says its 3G platforms optimized for Android enables Idea Cellular to provide customers with an entry-level smartphone offering enhanced functionality, powerful graphics, and advanced features including dual-SIM connectivity.
In January 2013, Idea Cellular said the company sold more than 2.25 lakh smartphone in the Indian mobile market within over a year. Devices play an important role in enhancing service experience for the user and have been a key component of Idea’s 3G growth strategy.
Sashi Shankar, chief marketing officer, Idea Cellular, said: “As the Indian market evolves from 2G to 3G technology, Idea Cellular is committed to proliferating 3G services by providing affordable, yet feature-rich smartphones that meet consumer demand for a satisfying mobile broadband experience.”
As carriers expand their 3G networks, smartphone growth in India will be bolstered by low-end smartphones offering dual-SIM capability and local apps.
Rafael Sotomayor, Broadcom Vice President, Mobile Platform Solutions, said: “With our complete, integrated smartphone platform, Broadcom provides device manufacturers in emerging markets with the technologies necessary to deliver an affordable Android device and capitalize on the smartphone revolution.”
According to research firm IDC, India and Brazil will join the United States, China, and United Kingdom as the top five country markets for smartphone shipments by 2016.
Idea Cellular’s Ivory is the fifth Android smartphone the company has launched and the first device running on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system (OS).
Powered by a Broadcom BCM21654G chipset, it features a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and 7.2/5.8 Mbps HSPA modem with low-power VGA video support.
