The two companies indicated that they plan to manufacture the first batch of wireless hand-held communications devices in Shanghai using China’s existing 2.5G communications technology.

The samples will come off the production line in the fourth quarter of this year, according to a report by CBS MW on August 10.

As part of their agreement, Siemens will provide general packet radio service (GPRS) wireless module technology to Legend, which will be integrated into Legend’s portable PC and other handheld devices. According to a joint statement, this means Legend’s personal data devices will become wireless multimedia devices.

The two have also said that users of Legend products will be able to receive various services, such as multimedia voice, fax, data transmission, short messaging and image transmission. The first series of the new devices will be put on the market in the first quarter of next year.

Legend is one of the three largest suppliers of hand-held devices in China. Earlier this summer, it concluded a partnership agreement with AOL Time Warner.

Siemens has established over 40 subsidiaries in China with 21,000 employees. The company hopes to develop new business growth points in the Chinese market through its partnership with Legend, the article said.

(China Daily 08/15/2001)