Okay, that’s a mouthful of acronym there, but let’s break it down. Chinese manufacturer ZTE announced their first Windows Mobile handset, the U990 last week, and now it’s available (presumably from China Mobile). HSDPA is the GSM-flavoured 3G standard we all know and love, but TD-SCDMA is another 3G network that’s been developed exclusively in and for China. This U990 is a dual mode device supporting both, allowing users to enjoy the TD-SCDMA network and speeds up to 2.8 Mbps when it’s around, or reverting to more internationally-available EDGE networks if the need arises.
Now, why would China develop a proprietary network that only works within their borders? Apparently it avoids dependency on Western technology, but more importantly helps them skip out on a lot of patent licensing fees. Being that closed could conceivably be shooting themselves in the foot, but if handsets as good-looking as this continue to support the technology, it may turn out to be a winning strategy. There’s still work to be done for the TD-SCDMA rollout, but it’s chugging along at a pretty good clip. We still wonder how much they’re really interested in LTE, though…
[ZTE via slashphone]