Sharp is jumping into the Chinese mobile video broadcasting sector with a new mobile TV tuner that supports China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting.

Sharp has developed the VA3C5CZ933 a tuning device intended for mobile equipment in the Chinese market, with mass production slated to begin in December 2008 and a monthly production capacity of about 500,000 units.

China's efforts to provide digital mobile broadcast services intensified in anticipation of the Beijing Olympics, and broadcasts under the CMMB system, a standard advanced by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, began in 37 cities in July 2008. By the end of this year, SARFT plans to expand CMMB network coverage to more than 300 additional cities.

China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting is the Chinese broadcasting industry's mobile phone television standard. At the end of 2007, SARFT initiated bidding for the construction of the CMMB network for which it received CNY150 million in special funds from China's Ministry of Finance. This was the second round of bidding for CMMB equipment for SARFT and covered transmitters, testing devices, CMMB portable terminals and other supporting systems.