RadioFrame Networks, Inc. announced the introduction of the
OmniRadio(TM) Processor, the first in a family of microchips enabling
the mass deployment of low cost picocell and femtocell products. The
OmniRadio(TM) Technology will make possible mass market opportunities
through improved production economies and capabilities for
RadioFrame's picocell and femtocell base station products.
The introduction of the OmniRadio(TM) Processor is timely as it
addresses the huge opportunity for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to
serve homes and small and medium sized businesses (SME) as Fixed
Mobile Convergence (FMC) strategies are implemented. A new study from
ABI Research forecasts that by 2011 there will be 102 million users of
femtocell products on 32 million access points worldwide.
"This is an important development for RadioFrame and for wireless
as operators target one of the last areas of growth, namely the home
and SME markets using licensed spectrum," said RadioFrame Networks
President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Brown. "When we looked at
this hugely attractive market, it became clear that the need to
deliver a product tailored to the unique attributes of this customer
group, that included high functionality with low cost and small
physical size, demanded a different approach. By creating our own
chipset we ensure that production economies of scale occur. This will
dramatically reduce the manufacturing cost of the units and will now
make mass consumer markets reachable. Over time we expect millions of
units to be manufactured and this proprietary chip set will afford
RadioFrame a unique platform to add other technologies, such as WiMAX
and LTE."
RadioFrame Networks has chosen Faraday Technology Corporation
(TAIEX: 3035) as the partner to deliver the OmniRadio(TM) Processor.
Faraday Technology Corporation is a global leader in silicon IP and
fabless ASIC services. With its system-on-a-chip focus and broad IP
portfolio, Faraday is well-suited to provide value-added ASIC services
to systems companies such as RadioFrame Networks.
"After an extensive review of suppliers, Faraday's quality
combined with their willingness to meet the aggressive timeframes this
market requires made it an easy choice for RadioFrame," said Greg
Veintimilla, VP Engineering at RadioFrame Networks.
"At Faraday, we are interested in working with innovators and
visionaries with large market opportunities. RadioFrame's
OmniRadio(TM) Platform fits that view. We are delighted to be working
with RadioFrame on the realization of this vision," said Faraday USA
General Manager Joseph Hong.
OmniRadio(TM) Technology will integrate core
functionality--including base band processing and radio
control--making it easily adaptable to other wireless technologies.
Initially the chip is designed for GSM and UMTS, but can easily enable
other technologies like WiMAX and LTE in the future. Production and
integration of the OmniRadio(TM) Processor microchip in RadioFrame
Networks(TM) products will occur later this year and be available to
the market beginning in the third quarter of 2007.
"Despite many wireless consumers being frustrated with less than
perfect wireless coverage inside their homes, more and more people
continue to choose wireless as their sole form of telecommunications.
This is creating a tremendous quality of service need that we can
address," said RadioFrame Networks CEO Jeff Brown.
"Our announcement today is about RadioFrame making a significant
investment to create a mass market solution. By developing a unique
technology platform we can now introduce needed products at better
economies and with accelerated timeframes," continued Brown.
"RadioFrame's goal is to dominate key market areas we enter. We know
that only through significant investment in all areas of the product,
from silicon to application software, can we meet the challenging
requirements of the market. We have had a great deal of success in our
infrastructure business and we are taking the same investment and
innovation approach to this market."
RadioFrame Networks has received investment from Innovacom
(formerly Orange Ventures), Nextel Communications, VantagePoint
Partners, Samsung Ventures America, COM Investments LLC (investment
arm of wireless pioneer Craig McCaw), Ericsson Venture Partners,
Ignition Partners and Nicolas Kauser. In the past year RadioFrame
raised an additional $40 million of funds.
About RadioFrame Networks
Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, RadioFrame Networks,
Inc. is the leader in modular radio solutions for telecom operators.
RadioFrame Networks(TM) deploys cost-effective radio access via
flexible and efficient software driven base stations. Unlike
traditional approaches from vendors offering proprietary,
single-technology equipment, RadioFrame Networks offers an agile,
multiple-technology, future-proof solution that integrates into
existing networks, increases capacity and reduces operating costs and
capital expenditures. For more information, please visit the company's
Web site at www.radioframenetworks.com.
About Faraday Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 3035)
Faraday Technology Corporation is a leading silicon IP and fabless
ASIC vendor. The company's broad silicon IP portfolio includes 32-bit
RISC CPUs, DSPs, MPEG4, H.264, PHYs/Controllers for USB 2.0, 10/100
Ethernet, Serial ATA, PCI Express, Cell Library and Memory Compiler.
With more than 700 employees and 2006 revenue of US$171 million,
Faraday is one of the largest fabless ASIC companies in the
Asia-Pacific region, and it also has a significant presence in other
world-wide markets. Headquartered in Taiwan, Faraday has service and
support offices around the world, including the U.S., Japan, Europe,
and China. For more information, please visit www.faraday-tech.com.
