Philips aiming for sub USD 20 mobile phones

Philips aiming for sub USD 20 mobile phones

Philips Electronics is aiming to develop technology that can make possible mobile phones costing just USD 20. Currently the cheapest mobile phones available in the market cost around 2-3 times that cost. This development cycle is as a result of an initiative announced this week by the Dutch electronics manufacturer to make mobile phones more widely available, especially in developing countries.

Even the world’s largest mobile company Nokia is targeting the same market by outsourcing technology from China. However, Philips is aiming to go back to the basics. By the end of this year, Philips intends to deliver a sub-$5 system, called Nexperia Cellular System Solution 5130. It would be integrating all the electronics needed for a mobile phone. Such a phone would be capable of making calls and sending text messages via Short Message Service (SMS).

This device should come with a monochrome screen but would be able to support polyphonic ring tones. The end costing of such a package should come to near about USD 20, which is the goal of the initiative. The long-term plan is to cut the basic cost of a phone to around USD 15. The company aims to achieve that in the next 2-3 years. The development of such a module would take place in the Chinese development center of the company itself.