TOKYO, Japan - May 25th, 1999 - Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd., better known by its global brand name Panasonic, has today joined Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Psion as a shareholder in the Symbian joint venture. Symbian, launched last year, has taken a leading role in providing the standard technology for the rapidly expanding Wireless Information Device (WID) industry.
"Our investment in Symbian demonstrates our commitment to EPOC technology for next generation Wireless Information Devices," said Takashi Kawada, President of Matsushita Communication. "Our strategic relationships with other market leaders and our expertise in manufacturing wireless devices will ensure the rapid acceptance and delivery of tried and tested Smartphones and Communicators, based on Symbian’s EPOC technology."
During the 11 months since it was launched, Symbian has announced a number of strategic relationships. Earlier this year Symbian announced in Japan that it has been working closely with the world’s largest network operator, NTT DoCoMo, to develop designs for wireless devices and solutions based on the next generation telecommunications standard, W-CDMA. The introduction of Matsushita Communication, the fourth largest handset manufacturer in the world, further strengthens Symbian’s position within Japan and the Asia Pacific region.
"The shareholders’ contributions of experience, technology and personnel to Symbian has already enabled us to deliver a range of devices based on Symbian’s EPOC technology", says Johan Siberg, President of Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. "This will continue with the addition of Matsushita Communication to the venture, ensuring that Symbian’s EPOC technology becomes the optimal choice for manufacturers of Wireless Information Devices."
"With Matsushita Communication, Symbian’s growing alliances extend choice and flexibility to consumers while ensuring a common standard to enable the Wireless Information Device industry." Commented Fred Kuznik, Executive Vice President and President of the Personal Communications Sector, Motorola. "With the rapid development of hardware and software technology pushing the industry forward, Symbian’s EPOC technology continues to offer a compact, efficient and fit-for-purpose solution for mobile users of Wireless Information Devices."
Matti Alahuhta, President of Nokia Mobile Phones, comments "Nokia has always supported open standards and common platforms that stimulate growth and enable wide market adoption. This is why we chose EPOC technology as the optimal solution for future Wireless Information Devices. Since its launch Symbian has successfully developed relationships throughout the wireless value chain to ensure that content, services and Wireless Information Devices come together to offer unprecedented consumer benefits. With Matsushita Communication as a shareholder, and their experience in third generation technology, another important link has been created extending Symbian’s reach throughout the global wireless industry."
Commenting on the Symbian joint venture, Psion’s CEO David Levin said, "Symbian has the heritage and technology experience that has provided users with all the functionality they require in a mobile device. Symbian continues to deliver on its promise of a major engine of growth for the Wireless Information Device industry. Matsushita Communication has taken a share in a venture that is supported by millions of developers, content and service providers."
Colly Myers, CEO of Symbian comments "Our strategic relationships have demonstrated to the industry that Symbian is the focal point for delivering a new networked economy, fuelled by ubiquitous Wireless Information Devices. The addition of Matsushita Communication as a shareholder, with their contribution to Symbian’s EPOC technology, demonstrates that this wireless economy will be global. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships by licensing EPOC to all wireless device manufacturers."
To support its activities in Japan and the Asia Pacific region, Symbian has recently opened an office in Tokyo to supplement its development operations in Kanazawa, Japan. Working closely with technology companies and handset manufacturers in Japan, Symbian will ensure the interoperability and optimisation of Wireless Information Devices with content and services provided through wireless networks. As the deployment of W-CDMA will initially occur in Japan, Symbian is poised to take advantage of its close relations with Matsushita Communication to incorporate next generation wireless technology.
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