ZTE and Vivo unveil low-cost handset with digital TV for Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced the Brazilian launch of the new handset N290, a low-cost cell phone with digital TV in Brazil.

Available exclusively through Vivo, the mobile phone will be available in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo from this week, priced at BRL 399 for the pre-paid version and BRL 199 for the post-paid plan. It will be available in other Brazilian cities in coming weeks where Digital TV signals are just available.

The ZTE N290 incorporates an MF645 3G modem for Digital TV reception, and supports Vivo’s strategy to bring mobile Digital TV to its customers in time for the World Cup in South Africa in June.

With a 3.2 inch widescreen, the handset works with the Brazilian TV digital system ISBD-T which allows the access to all digital open channels at no cost. The new handset also features a 2.0 MP camera and supports a Maxim 8G TF card.

According to Vivo’s Executive VP of Marketing and Innovation, Hugo Janeba, the launch aligns with the mobile operator’s strategy of helping people experience a new way of rooting for their team in the 2010 World Cup.

“We want Brazilians to fully experience the World Cup and be able to watch the games anywhere and at anytime,” he said, adding: “And when soccer fans have their own pocket TV, the experience certainly becomes much more complete.”

This means people won’t miss the World Cup opening game, which will take place at 11am (Brasília time) on a Friday (June 11), when most Brazilians will be at work, and the Brazilian National Football Team’s first match will be on Tuesday, June 15, at 3:30pm – in the middle of the work day.

Importantly, Digital TV services are free of charge. This means that once a handset is purchased, there is no need for a monthly subscription to access Brazil’s broadcast TV.

According to Eliandro Avila, ZTE’s President in Brazil, the manufacturer’s goal is to offer an innovative and low-cost device in a market that, until very recently, only had expensive deals to offer with Digital TV.

“Our job is to make the Brazilian digital system more popular and accessible to everyone,” he said.

Features

• Large Screen
• Mobile TV
• High-definition Camera
• Powerful Audio Player
• Powerful Video Player
• Bluetooth2.0
• Java
• Super-long Standby
• FM Radio
• USB 2.0 High Speed

Product Specification

• Dimension: 112mmx55mmx13mm
• Weight: 110g
• 3.2”, 240×400 pixels, 262K color, TFT
• Camera: 2.0MP
• Support 8GB Micro-SD card
• Audio Decode: MP3,MP2,WMA,WAV,AAC,AC3,APE,OGG,FLAC
• Video Decode: AVI,RM,RMVB,FLV,MP4,3GP,ASF,WMV,KPG,MOV,MPG,DAT,VOB,MPE
• Ring tones: 64 Poly, MP3 Player
• Contacts: 1000
• Voice Talk Time: maxim 10hours (subject to network status)
• Standby Time: maxim 500hours (subject to network status)