Mobile Phones

Though third-generation (3G) mobile phones may not have taken over the world quite as quickly as was forecast four or five years ago, serious money is still being invested in 3G to enable customers to access seamlessly e-mail, the Internet and corporate applications on their laptops. 2.5G systems have been established in Europe for some time, CDMA-2000 and WCDMA are already serving some 61 million customers, and Evolution Data Only (EVDO) is now rolling out in some corners of the U.S. service area, with a potential data throughput of half a million bps. It's only a matter of time until heavy-duty Internet connectivity can be provided through any cell phone.

On the other side of the range issue, short distance radio technologies such as Bluetooth and the various flavors of 802.11x are available to deliver WLAN integration of notebooks, web pads, PDAs, keyboards, printers and other IT devices, with data speeds up to 54 Mbps - all of this reachable from your mobile phone. The software and electronics of these devices improve, it seems, on a daily basis. But what about the other components like the case, the antenna, or the display? For these parts, typically made from thermoplastics, Ticona has a range of materials, all offering light weight and good mechanical and electrical properties.

Vectra® liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a resin with excellent flow and very low shrinkage, fills the thin wall sections needed for the frame and battery cover, while is stiff and strong enough to support the display and protect it against flexure.