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Telegent Systems, the company that makes television mobile, and Brightstar Corp., a major player in value-added distribution and integrated supply chain solutions for the wireless industry, reportedly have entered into a partnership to launch a low-cost handset that delivers live, free-to-air broadcast TV to Latin American and African consumers prior to this summer’s 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa.

 

Brightstar (News - Alert) officials said that the company’s Avvio 505 device, which incorporates the Telegent’s free-to-air analog mobile TV receiver, will provide consumers on the go with an affordable way to view this summer’s “cannot miss” soccer matches.

 

“With the Avvio 505, we are delivering a model designed to appeal to sports fans in the Latin American and African markets,” said Jaime Narea, vice-president of Brightstar’s Idea to Consumer Division, in a statement.

 

Narea said that in these markets, consumers have a passion for soccer, and all eyes will be on the events unfolding real time this summer in South Africa.

 

He said that the combination of voice and TV in a low-cost handset is very compelling for consumers who want to follow the matches live, whether they are at work, home, or on the road.

 

The company officials said that the Avvio 505 adds further appeal for the sports fan as the handset is designed with the customized colors and flags of those countries participating in this summer’s soccer event.

 

In addition to voice, SMS, TV and FM radio, the device features a 2.0 inch screen, measures 43X101X13.3mm, and delivers 240 minutes of continuous talk time.

 

According to Telegent officials, the TV and FM radio features, enabled by the company’s mobile TV receiver, provide consumers with one-button mobile access to live, free-to-air analog television and radio broadcasts.

 

“We are delighted to work with Brightstar on this innovative campaign,” said Samuel Sheng, president and CEO of Telegent.

 

Sheng said that global sporting events provide a unique draw, and the Avvio 505 is well positioned to make the televised matches broadly accessible to the Latin American and African mobile consumers.