With the Ericsson Core Bluetooth Baseband Platform Q-E1, Philips will be one of the first companies to offer their customers Bluetooth chips based on the Bluetooth 1.2 specification with, for example, better voice and audio quality and improved coexistence with other wireless technologies.

"Philips and Ericsson Technology Licensing are already partners, but this deal brings us one step closer to our mutual goal, bringing fully compliant Bluetooth 1.2 solutions to the market," says Maria Khorsand, President of Ericsson Technology Licensing. "Together, we want to make sure Bluetooth reaches the mass market."

Ericsson Technology Licensing and Philips' semiconductor division have been partners since 1999. This partnership has delivered the benefits of the stable foundation of technical expertise at Ericsson and Philips coupled with the high volume semiconductor production capability of Philips.

"Ericsson's new core has everything we want for our Bluetooth 1.2 solutions," says Paul Marino, Vice President and General Manager Business Line Connectivity at Philips Semiconductors. "Philips is committed to providing our customers with fully compliant Bluetooth 1.2 products based on proven core technology, enabling us to be among the first to launch products with these new features. The incorporation of the Bluetooth 1.2 technology is yet another step towards fulfilling our vision of the Connected Home."