The portfolio of complementary components, which initially includes cellular switches, DC to DC converters and low noise amplifiers (LNAs), increases RFMD’s opportunity in handsets beyond transceivers and power amplifier-based front-end solutions, where RFMD is the industry leader. The total addressable market for complementary cellular components in 3G multimode handsets (including standalone switches, DC to DC converters, LNAs, duplexers and other non-PA based components) is expected to exceed $1 billion in 2010.
The increasing complexity of cellular front-ends in multiband, multimode 3G handsets is driving customer requirements for platform flexibility and energy conservation in 3G handset designs. RFMD’s newly introduced high-linearity, ultra-compact LNAs and low-loss, high-linearity switches facilitate platform flexibility by easing the implementation of additional bands for multi-region support. Additionally, RFMD’s innovative low-noise DC to DC converters extend battery life and reduce thermal dissipation in 3G multimode handsets by efficiently reducing the power supply voltage delivered to the power amplifier and thus reducing total dissipated power of the system.
Eric Creviston, corporate vice president of RFMD’s cellular products group, said, “RFMD is best positioned to understand and solve the complex requirements of next-generation cellular front-ends. The demand for complementary cellular components in 3G multimode handsets is growing significantly faster than the handset market, as UMTS handsets proliferate and as new UMTS regions are added. With our broad product portfolio for 3G front-ends and our industry-leading manufacturing scale, RFMD is able to address this increased demand, while also solving the growing requirements for energy conservation, platform flexibility and multi-region support.”
Industry research firm Gartner Dataquest forecasts the 3G multimode market will exceed 600 million handsets by 2010, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of over 45%. A 3G multimode device includes a GPRS/EDGE path and at least one UMTS path, both of which require PA-based front-end solutions and associated complementary components. As 3G multimode devices proliferate and as the number of bands increases to support multiple regions, the market for front-end solutions and complementary components in 3G multimode handsets is expected to significantly outpace the rate of growth of cellular handsets.
RFMD will showcase its new complementary components and front-end solutions for 3G multimode handsets at the 2007 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, February 12-15, 2007, in Hall 8, Stand 8B79.
About RFMD: RF Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: RFMD) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio systems and solutions for applications that drive mobile communications. RFMD’s power amplifiers, transmit modules, cellular transceivers and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in current- and next-generation mobile handsets, cellular base stations, wireless local area networks (WLANs) and global positioning systems (GPS). Recognized for its diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and vast RF systems expertise, RFMD is a preferred supplier enabling the world’s leading mobile device manufacturers to deliver advanced wireless capabilities that satisfy current and future market demands.
Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., RFMD is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-certified manufacturer with worldwide engineering, design, sales and service facilities. RFMD is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol RFMD. For more information, please visit RFMD’s web site at www.rfmd.com.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under the federal securities laws. RF Micro Devices' business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including variability in quarterly operating results, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, risks associated with the operation of our wafer fabrication facilities, molecular beam epitaxy facility, assembly facility and test and tape and reel facilities, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, variability in production yields, our ability to reduce costs and improve gross margins by implementing innovative technologies, our ability to bring new products to market, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on a limited number of customers, and dependence on third parties. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in RF Micro Devices' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.
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