Personal Communications Devices

Personal Communications Devices, LLC, also d.b.a. PCD, was a privately held company that worked with wireless technology partners, including wireless service providers and mobile phone-manufacturers to develop, support and bring mobile phones to market in the Americas. PCD partnerships include Pantech-branded phones for Verizon and AT&T, Casio GzOne, HTC products, and most recently, Alcatel One Touch. PCD focused mainly on developing basic, low cost feature phones; with the Virgin Mobile Chaser being the only smart phone developed by the company. It debuted in December, 2011 at a retail price of $99.95 USD, and was the least expensive smart phone available on the market at that time.

Personal Communications Devices, LLC - PCD
Company typePrivate
Founded2008
HeadquartersHauppauge, New York, United States
Key people
Philip Christopher, CEO
ProductsTelecommunications devices
Website[1]

It began as the cellphone division of Audiovox in 1984, and was acquired by UTStarcom in 2004.[1] In 2008, it became a privately owned company.[2] The company worked with global manufacturers including Fujitsu, Huawei, Netgear, Sharp, Wistron Corporation, and ZTE;[3] has partnerships with wireless service providers throughout the Americas including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, Virgin Mobile, Cricket, U.S. Cellular, Clear, C Spire, Telus, Claro, Cox Communications, Movilnet, Iusacell, Telefónica, Digicel, MTS and Centennial;[4] and has introduced several first-to-market cellular devices within its 25-year history,[5] including the introduction of the first smart phone made available to non-contract consumers.

In 2013, it was sold[6] to Quality One Wireless.

References

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  1. ^ Todd Wallack (15 June 2004). "UTStarcom, Audiovox cut a deal". SFGate. Retrieved 15 June 2004.
  2. ^ "Former UTStarcom Personal Communications Division Renamed Personal Communications Devices, LLC". Business Wire. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
  3. ^ "Personal Communications Devices | Bringing You the Wireless World | Technology Partners". Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  4. ^ "Personal Communications Devices | Bringing You the Wireless World | Service Providers". Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  5. ^ "Personal Communications Devices | Bringing You the Wireless World | About Us - History". Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  6. ^ Phil Goldstein (21 August 2013). "PCD files for bankruptcy, aims to be bought by Quality One Wireless for $105M". Fierce Wireless. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
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