Last checked at 11 Sep 2007 07:00
SOFTWARE RADIO TECHNOLOGY PLC TETRA Handset Production Commences in China
The Directors of Software Radio Technology plc ("SRT" or the "Company") are pleased to announce that TCB has commenced commercial production of its TETRA handset and begun paying royalties to SRT.
TCB is the first company in China and Asia to commence production and commercial sales of a locally designed, developed and manufactured TETRA handset.
TCB is a large, well known company in China with nearly 70 years' experience of supplying professional markets with a variety of communications equipment. TCB has combined its trusted local reputation and presence with the advantage of a locally designed, developed and manufactured product to enter the rapidly growing China TETRA market. For the first time, Chinese buyers can purchase handsets from a local manufacturer.
Since entering a joint TETRA technology licence and development agreement in 2004, TCB and SRT have worked closely together to develop the handset which has undergone extensive field trials with a range of customers to ensure and prove reliability and suitability for the specific needs of the local market.
The handset offers a complete range of advanced TETRA voice and data features and a performance and quality standard equal to handsets manufactured in Europe.
TETRA networks are actively being rolled out across China and will be used for a variety of communications from police to railway workers as well as prestigious events such as the Olympics. TCB is already working closely with customers in many of these market segments.
Mr Ma Yan, Vice President of TCB said: "TCB has always focused on developing and manufacturing equipment for professional markets across China. Our position in the local market and growth of TETRA created an opportunity for us if we had our own TETRA handset. The co-operation with SRT has enabled us to develop and manufacture our own handset with various customised features and functions for our target users. We have worked hard and made a considerable investment in the development of this handset and we are proud to be the first local company to launch its own handset. The China market is large and we are optimistic that we will win a share of this with our own handset in the future now that production has commenced. We look forward to continuing to work more closely with SRT in the future."
Simon Tucker, Group Managing Director of SRT said: "TCB is a long term partner for SRT and the commencement of local production of such a sophisticated product is an important milestone for us and TCB: until today only EU companies produced and sold TETRA handsets. We believe that TCB is well positioned to take advantage of the rapidly growing China and Asian TETRA markets and therefore look forward to a steady ramp-up in production. We look forward to continuing to work closely with TCB on further technology and product developments as part of our long term licence agreement.'
Enquiries: Software Radio Technology plc 01761 409500
Simon Tucker Group Managing Director Hanson Westhouse Limited 0113 246 2610Tim Feather Matthew Johnson CityRoad Communications 07947 186694Paul Quade About SRT:
Founded in 1987 and quoted on AIM in 2005, SRT focuses on the development of turnkey technology product solutions for homeland security applications. SRT's technologies are used by manufacturers to fast track and de-risk the development of their own products. SRT operates two divisions. SRT Marine Technology which focuses on maritime identification and tracking systems, such as AIS. SRT PMR Technology which focuses on the areas of professional voice and data radio communications such as TETRA. www.softwarerad.com
About TCB:
Tianjin Communication & Broadcasting Group Corporation Ltd ("TCB") is a large, China based company which specialises in the development, production and sale of products for professional markets within China. The company was founded in 1937 and has regularly achieved recognition for its various activities. As well as developing and manufacturing its own products for sale locally, TCB also undertakes contract manufacturing services for various companies around the world. www.tcb.com.cn
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