Sasken ties up with EMS for gen next phones

Bangalore Oct 5 (UNI) Sasken Communication Technologies Limited has entered into an agreement with EMS SATCOM, a division of EMS Technologies, Inc to provide essential software for the design of a next-generation dual-mode satellite and GSM mobile phone for Inmarsat.

In a release here today, Sasken said the agreement would see the first-ever integration of the company's complete development solution 'the GSM/GPRS protocol and supporting Application Framework' into a dual-mode GSM and satellite phone.

The new Inmarsat phone, targeted for launch in early 2009, would offer remote field and aid operations, and other private and government agencies 'unprecedented communication reach and capability across remote corners of the world,' the company claimed.

Sasken's key contribution to the development of the handset would be in the protocol software. which would enable and control communication between the handset and the base stations or satellites, and in the application middleware and user interface, which would be developed to Inmarsat's specifications.

This programme marked a diversification for Sasken into satellite communication technology as the company will also develop the necessary modifications to the GSM/GPRS protocol stack, to conform to the GMR2+ satellite communications standard the release said.

UNI