GCT Semiconductor Provides WiMAX Terminal and Femto AP Solutions to UQ Communications

UQ Communications Expands WiMAX service in Narita Express Trains in Japan with Low Power Repeaters using GCT’s WiMAX SOCs

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GCT® Semiconductor, a leading supplier of Mobile WiMAX™ solutions to the global market, today announced that GDM7701, a highly integrated baseband system-on-chip (SOC) designed for Femto AP applications, powers the WiMAX low power train repeaters installed by UQ Communications as part of their continued expansion of WiMAX services in Japan. The train repeaters, consisting of Kyocera’s WiMAX low power repeater and WiMAX-WiFi gateway, provide superior indoor WiMAX and WiFi connectivity to train passengers.

“GCT provided a key solution to resolving indoor coverage problems associated with thick concrete walls”

GDM7701 offers a total BOM cost much lower than alternative solutions, enabling low-cost mobile WiMAX Femto AP applications. GDM7701 includes a mobile WiMAX MAC and PHY baseband, high-performance triple-processors, an impressive array of peripherals for connectivity, and supports up to 2x2 MIMO. The low power train repeaters also include GCT’s GRF7204, a 2.5Ghz WiMAX RF application which provides the mating RF functionality for a complete WiMAX Femto AP solution.

In addition, both the WiMAX low power repeater and WiMAX-WiFi gateway include GCT’s GDM7205, a highly integrated mobile WiMAX single-chip solution which reduces PCB design complexity and offers high performance, low power consumption and small form factor to optimize mobile WiMAX implementation in mobile devices.

“Delivering reliable, high speed WiMAX and WiFi connectivity to train passengers was our target, as part of our continued expansion effort of WiMAX service in Japan,” said Toshikazu Yokai, General Manager of UQ’s Network Technology Department. ”GCT’s advanced baseband SOC provided a key component in achieving this successful expansion.”

“GCT’s extensive experience and thorough knowledge of wireless communications and WiMAX connectivity were key factors in selecting them as the chip partner for this project,” said Yoshifumi Haga, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communication Systems Equipment Division of Kyocera Corporation.

“GCT provided a key solution to resolving indoor coverage problems associated with thick concrete walls,” said Dr. Kyeongho “KH” Lee, President and CEO of GCT Semiconductor, Inc. “Instead of installing costly macro basestations, GCT’s solution allowed UQ Communications to build WiMAX Femto repeaters at a lower cost, providing passengers with high-speed mobile broadband access.”

About UQ Communications

The UQ Communications venture was established with KDDI CORPORATION, Intel Capital Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, KYOCERA Corporation, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. UQ has received 30 MHz of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band for the rollout of Japan’s first 4G network using Mobile WiMAX technology.

About Kyocera Corporation

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, electronic components, semiconductor packages, office-document imaging equipment, solar power generating systems, cutting tools and industrial ceramics.

About GCT Semiconductor, Inc.

GCT Semiconductor is a leading fabless semiconductor company that produces innovative integrated circuit solutions for the wireless communications industry. With its proven radio frequency (RF) CMOS and system-on-a-chip (SOC) expertise, GCT provides state-of-the-art single-chip CMOS RF transceivers, mobile digital TV receivers and Mobile WiMAX solutions serving 3G and 4G mobile system manufacturers by reducing BOM cost, lowering power consumption and minimizing total solution size. For more information, please visit www.gctsemi.com.

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