picoChip today announced the opening of an office in Shenzhen, through which it intends to offer more localized support, develop new business and strengthen the company's existing relationships in the region.

The facility includes a fully equipped development lab that will be used to support local engineering activities, including systems development for regional standards and research projects. The new office was officially opened during the UK-China ICT Week (6-10 September 2004).

picoChip has been working in China, in partnership with Millennium Meshwork Data Systems Co., Ltd. (MMDS) since early 2003. The picoChip China development centre in Shenzhen was jointly established with MMDS. picoChip technology has already been selected for development activities within China, with Chinese OEMs and key research institutes using picoChip for projects, including WiMAX, TD-SCDMA and advanced wireless applications. All Chinese picoChip customers can now obtain enhanced technical support via the local development centre in Shenzhen.

The picoChip centre will not only provide for the implementation of new technology but will cater for R&D too. It will facilitate customers in rapidly developing technology for both international and domestic standards. And it will support engineering universities and institutes in China with research of advanced wireless communications and support research and industry communities in their Chinese National R&D Projects (such as 863 and 973) in the field of advanced wireless technologies.