Editorial Summary

Shanghai-based fabless handset chip company Spreadtrum Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRD) announced financial results for the first quarter after market close on Thursday. Total revenue was $39.5 million, down 19 percent quarter-on-quarter and up 51 percent year-on-year. Net income came in at $2.8 million, up 37 percent from a year ago and down 73 percent from the fourth quarter. Spreadtrum expects second quarter revenue to come in between $40 million and $41 million.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has begun commercial trials of the China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting (CMMB) network in 10 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, according to the financial statement. Network trials are expected in 37 cities by August with installation planned for an additional 324 cities in 2009.

Spreadtrum has promoted Dr. Yi Kang to marketing vice president. Kang was in charge of the Mobile Multimedia unit developing Spreadtrum's CMMB-based chip.