Austriamicrosystems is the only single-chip CMOS phone IC provider in the world — a position that is reinforced by this landmark agreement.

With a population of more than 1 billion, and around 43 million telephone lines currently installed, India represents huge potential for wireline services.

Using Austriamicrosystems'' first-of-a-kind single-chip CMOS IC, Bharti expects to offer a series of unique features to its customers such as ultra high-quality speech transmission and reception circuitry, crystal-clear audio quality, automatic volume control systems and outstanding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), which prevents GSM line interference and is in compliance with the industry norm EN55024.

The overall performance of a telephone is directly influenced by the EMC behaviour of the electronic components and integrated circuits it contains. Austriamicrosystems'' single-chip telephone IC has been designed to meet EMC requirements using CMOS technology thus making it easier for telephone manufacturers to comply with EMC regulations.

"Bharti Teletech is focused on ensuring that it continues to grow by constantly adding value to their products through in-house R&D efforts, as well as outsourcing contemporary technology at affordable prices. We are very pleased to be joining hands with austriamicrosystems and are looking forward to leveraging its world-class technology," said Pawan Kapur, ceo of Bharti Teletech.

"Austriamicrosystems has been in the wireline telephony business since 1989, and today, we are the supplier of choice to many OEMs worldwide," said Gary Lee, austriamicrosystems'' regional manager for India. "Bharti is India''s leading manufacturer of fixed line phones, and going forward, our single-chip telephone ICs will be at the heart of Indian analog telephones, helping Bharti to maintain its leading position in this highly competitive market."

The true single-chip telephone highlights austriamicrosystems'' expertise in mixed signal design. Available in a wide range of pin options, the IC is easily adaptable to the requirements of different PTTs worldwide. These are cheaper and easier to handle than multiple ICs. The highly complex circuitry, which includes an analog line interface in CMOS, is unique in the industry.