MUMBAI: STMicroelectronics and Worldspace satellite have announced a partnership to develop, manufacture and distribute chips for European Satellite Digital Radio (ESDR) receivers. This has been planned for a Worldspace pan-European and Middle East service starting 2009 with Italy.

The agreement between Worldspace and ST is expected to lead to the first fully integrated device for channel decoding in ESDR receivers. Based on an open ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) standard, the ESDR technology enables Worldspace to employ a hybrid satellite-terrestrial network, where its satellites deliver broad geographical coverage at low cost, while terrestrial transmitters improve reception quality in urban and suburban areas.

According to Worldspace satellite radio chairman and chief executive officer Noah A Samara,"Worldspace and STMicroelectronics have a long-standing relationship and we are very pleased to continue that relationship through this agreement."
Continues Samara, "This agreement is another milestone on the path to providing a truly unique satellite radio experience throughout Europe, beginning with Italy. STMicroelectronics brings a long history of excellence in satellite radio endeavors to the table and their experience with the automotive qualification process and chip production should help propel our success in Europe, the Middle East and potentially other markets when we are ready to roll out."

Worldspace Satellite Radio's service offering will include 40-50 channels of commercial-free music, news, sports, talk and other personalized programming such as traffic, navigation and music downloads directly from the satellite, to each of its markets in Europe. With an estimated subscriber base of 18 million in U.S, the Company intends to launch its European service, beginning with Italy, in 2009, followed shortly thereafter by other major European and Middle East countries including Germany, Switzerland, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Designed using state-of-the-art CMOS technology, the new ST channel decoder device delivers high system integration and low current consumption. The chip is being tailored to ensure optimal reception in harsh conditions and to make maximum use of the available frequency spectrum.

ST's Automotive product group vice president Domenico Rossi states, "We are pleased to play a key role in the introduction of Worldspace's digital satellite radio service to European consumers. This important agreement marks twelve years for ST at the forefront of digital radio technology. Our contribution to Worldspace's efforts in Europe draws on the success of satellite digital radio in the US, where the majority of receivers is powered by ST chips."