Nokia announced that STMicroelectronics will design and build 3G chipsets using Nokia modem technologies as well as energy management and RF (radio frequency) technology. Nokia has also awarded ST a design win of an advanced 3G HSPA (high-speed packet access) chipset supporting high data rates, which would be the first contribution of the acquired IC design operations. This design win represents ST’s first win of a complete 3G chipset.
In a separate press release about its chipset development strategy, Nokia also announced that it would be working with a total of four chipset suppliers going forward. Aside from STMicroelectronics, Broadcom will supply EDGE chipsets and GSM chipsets will be provided by Infineon Technologies. Texas Instruments will continue to be a broad scope supplier across all protocols but today’s announcement is still a big blow as it had been Nokia’s sole 3G and EDGE chipset supplier.
With these announcements, Nokia is exiting the chip business and will instead license out its technology.