14 DAY TRIAL // Chinese semiconductor provider Spreadtrum Communications recently announced the release of its Quad-SIM single chip solution, the SC6600L6. This is the world’s first single chip that allows up to four GSM SIM cards running simultaneously in a mobile handset.
While the single chip hasn't been tested yet on the mobile phone market, as devices embedding the SC6600L6 are not available yet, it might prove to be a cheap solution for users that are currently carrying around two, three or even four GSM handsets.
Spreadtrum is also known as the inventor of the world’s first dual SIM and triple SIM solution, which have been successfully adopted on emerging markets such as India, China, Africa and Russia.
“The Quad-SIM solution is another invention resulting from our continuing effort of technology innovation,” said Dr. Leo Li, Spreadtrum's President and CEO.
“Spreadtrum is also the inventor of the world’s first dual SIM and triple SIM solution. We are dedicated to increase the value of our products by providing attractive features to our customers. The Quad-SIM solution offers unparalleled flexibility for multiple-operator-market and business users who need to keep constant connection,” added Li.
Spreadtrum also stated that the solution allows four GSM SIM cards to run simultaneously on standby mode with only one set of baseband and RF. This feature is rarely found in today's dual SIM handsets manufactured by Samsung and Nokia, the main players on the multi-SIM mobile phones market.
Other technical data disclosed by the manufacturer mentions a processor engine and controller for supporting quadruple SIM cards.
Of course, the product is not limited to Quad-SIM, as it supports different multi-SIM options such as dual SIM and triple SIM, thus giving more choices to handset designers and mobile phone users.
As a side note, Spreadtrum's products support a broad range of wireless communications standards, including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, W-CDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA.