Dual-mode LTE/WiMAX devices on the way

Sequans, the 4G chipset maker, is working with Malaysian operator Packet One and networking provider Greenpacket to develop reference designs for dual-mode LTE/WiMAX devices. The intention is to create a complete eco-system of 4G networking solutions and devices by the end of 2011.

“We are testing Sequans’ system-on-chip technology to develop LTE reference designs, including a dual-mode WiMAX/LTE reference design for our operator customers primarily in Asia, CALA and Middle East,” said, James Wang, senior vice president of innovation, strategies and development at Greenpacket.  “We intend to offer our solutions to early adopters of LTE such as P1 in support of its LTE/WiMAX coexistence strategy.”

The move is part of the recently announced 4Sight program, which is aimed at Sequans creating technologies enabling operators to smoothly transition from WiMAX to LTE.

Michael Lai, chief executive of Packet One said that, “we are collaborating with Sequans because of Sequans’ operator-proven WiMAX and LTE chipset technology and because of the company’s real-world experience in deploying operator-certified 4G technology in high volume around the world.”

Packet One launched a WiMAX operation in Malaysia in 2008 and is now in the process of transitioning to LTE. The move to create an eco-system of devices is an important one for the operator as it looks to lower the costs as it moves over to the global LTE standard.

“As ever, the availability of devices is a limiting factor”, Lai told Telecoms.com in a recent interview. “Once it starts to get more mature, especially from the handset and smartphone perspective, we will move a lot more aggressively into the TD-LTE market. There’s no need to move our 300,000 subscribers to LTE for the time being until the eco-system in terms of handsets is there.”

Packet One expects to have 65 per cent of the local market covered with its WiMAX/LTE network by the end of 2012.

“Greenpacket and P1 are taking a leading position in the 4G world by establishing a dual-4G network while they transition to LTE and this will benefit not only P1 and its customers, but also other operators who adopt this strategy,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO, in a statement. “P1 now has the flexibility to rollout LTE at the rate they choose and have it coexist peacefully with WiMAX, and P1 customers will have devices that work in any part of the network at any time.”

The sixth annual LTE Asia conference, takes place in Suntec, Singapore, on the 5-7th September 2011