LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif., Aug. 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Bitfone Corporation (www.bitfone.com), the pioneer and patent holder of firmware over-the-air (FOTA) update technology for mobile phones, today announced that LG Electronics has launched their first 3G/UMTS device, the U8210, using Bitfone's mProve technology for FOTA.
LGE selected Bitfone as their global provider of FOTA technology in January of 2005, and has since launched five different commercial phone models in North America and Europe using Bitfone's mProve. The latest LGE device to embed mProve, the U8210, is a video-capable UMTS device available in the Orange network in France. The U8210 has also been fitted with Bitfone's MVA client to provide standards-based device management using the widely-accepted OMA-DM protocol. Additional LGE phone models using mProve include the PM-325, MM-535, VI-125, and the recently launched PM-225 Vision Picture Phone on the Sprint network in North America.
"Bitfone has provided excellent technical support and reliable software products, allowing us to meet our delivery schedules for FOTA-enabled devices," said Dr. Hee-Bong Park, VP of product planning for LGE. "We are very pleased with Bitfone as our primary device management partner and plan to offer many more mProve-enabled phones to our innovative 3G portfolio."
"LGE is the market leader in Europe for UMTS devices, and we're proud to provide the FOTA technology that they trust for their high-profile devices in such a critical market," said Bernard Desarnauts, vice president of Bitfone Europe.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 06657.KS) is a global force in electronics, information and communications products with 2004 annual sales of U.S. $38 billion (consolidated). With more than 66,000 employees working in 76 subsidiaries in 39 countries around the world, LG Electronics is comprised of four main business companies including Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance, Digital Display, and Digital Media.
LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is the world's leading manufacturer of WCDMA (UMTS), CDMA and GSM handsets, and the fastest growing manufacturer of mobile phones worldwide. The company provides a total range of wired and wireless solutions, and is rapidly establishing a global presence as it cultivates international market share in 3G handsets. For more information please visit www.lge.com
About Bitfone Corporation
Bitfone Corporation is the pioneer and patent holder of firmware over-the-air (FOTA) upgrade technology for mobile phones, used by the largest device and chipset manufacturers in the world, including Motorola, LGE, Sony Ericsson, QUALCOMM, TCL and UTStarcom. Bitfone's mProve, MVP and SmartCare solutions allow wireless network operators to diagnose, service and enhance mobile devices while in the subscribers' hands. Bitfone's customers gain business agility, operational efficiency, and control over device launches and maintenance, resulting in dramatic cost savings, new revenue opportunities and increased subscriber satisfaction. Bitfone is a private company headquartered in Laguna Niguel, California, with offices in Canada, China, Japan, Korea, and the U.K. For more information, visit www.bitfone.com.