To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu.

    -----------------------------------------------

     This story was printed from CdrInfo.com,

     located at http://www.cdrinfo.com.

    -----------------------------------------------

NEC Corp., Casio Computer Co.,Ltd. , and Hitachi, Ltd. today announced an agreement to integrate their mobile terminal businesses in April 2010 through the establishment of a joint venture company.

The move would create Japan's second-largest cellphone maker by shipments after Sharp.

NEC develops and manufactures mobile terminals for NTT DOCOMO, INC. and SoftBank Mobile Corp. that capitalize on the company?s core competencies and incorporate wireless communications technologies such as W-CDMA and LTE , Linux platform development, low power consumption innovations and ultra-thin technologies.

In 2004, Casio and Hitachi jointly established Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications Co., Ltd. (CHMC) as a mobile terminal business company. CHMC capitalizes on image technologies from Casio?s digital camera business, water/shock resistance technologies from Casio?s wristwatch development and Hitachi?s image processing technologies in order to provide mainly CDMA focused mobile handsets for KDDI Corporation and SoftBank Mobile Corp. in Japan as well as Verizon Wireless in the USA and LG Telecom in the Republic of Korea.

"The new company will boast a competitive portfolio of products that draws strength from the complete integration of business functions between NEC?s Mobile Terminal Operations Unit and CHMC, as well as merges the advanced technologies and product development experience of each company. Furthermore, NEC?s IT/Network technology supported product development capabilities linked to service business for enterprises and consumers, combined with CHMC?s consumer product technologies and planning strength, is expected to result in the creation of innovative synergies and the development of appealing new products, in addition to future growth that is anticipated from a range of new areas," the companies said.

The companies will also integrate their mobile terminal business in order to strengthen both domestic (Japanese) and international business.

The new business, capitalized initially at 1 billion yen ($11 million) will be 66 percent owned by NEC, 17.34 percent by Casio and 16.66 by Hitachi. By June 2010, that will be raised to 5 billion yen ($55 million), with NEC owning a 70.74 percent stake, Casio 20 percent and Hitachi 9.26 percent.