MaxLinear and ProBrand International Commence Shipments of Satellite dCSS LNBs to Telefónica

  • Advanced low-noise block downconverter (LNB) now shipping to two countries served by Telefónica; more to come in 2018
  • MaxLinear complete chipset solution with MxL801 satellite RF downconverter and MxL862 channel-stacking ICs enables ProBrand to set new bar with ultra-small form factor and low power design

LAS VEGAS--()--MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the connected home, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications, and ProBrand International, a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced RF electronics and antenna systems, today announced the shipment of mass production quantities of digital satellite low-noise block downconverters LNBs to Telefónica.

PBI's digital LNBs feature an integrated digital channel stacking switch (dCSS) that enables multiple satellite television channels to be carried over a single coaxial cable, which simplifies installation and lowers deployment costs.

The LNBs also utilize a common hardware design with programmable software that enables Telefónica to customize the frequency plan based on the unique needs of each country in which it operates. Telefónica is one of the first major satellite operators to leverage the benefits of dCSS technology across its global footprint of satellite networks. The dCSS LNBs are currently being deployed in Brazil and Colombia, while other markets are due to begin deployments in 2018.

The Telefónica digital LNBs utilize MaxLinear’s market-leading satellite RF and channel-stacking technology, including:

  • MxL801 – industry's first satellite RF downconverter IC fabricated in digital CMOS technology
  • MxL862 – industry's first satellite channel stacking IC with programmable filters that can stack up to 32 channels on a single coax cable

The MaxLinear chipset can deliver 24 dynamic user bands to the connected home, interfacing with existing (EN50494) and new (EN50607) standards for home gateway and PVR technologies, taking the capacity well beyond the four-channel SCR technology currently used. In the fixed frequency single cable environment, such as MDUs, ProBrand’s digital LNBs can be programmed over-the-air or on-site with ProBrand’s programming tool and GUI to any transponder (up to 32) plan.

ProBrand has been leading the industry with its compact low power designs integrating multiple satellites and frequency bands to a single-cable environment. ProBrand’s highly automated state-of-the-art factory was specifically designed and built to manufacture and test high-volume digital LNBs. ProBrand’s patent-pending design brings lower cost dCSS LNBs to the mass-market serving the growing need to deliver TV content to multiple tuners/PVR in the home.

“ProBrand is proud that our innovative, patent-pending LNB design has catapulted us to become the world’s leading supplier of dCSS LNBs,” said Eric Shin, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, at ProBrand. “Our mission, along with partners such as MaxLinear, is to continue and spread the benefits of cost-savings and enhanced consumer experience to all satellite operators worldwide.”

“MaxLinear is excited to enable satellite operators worldwide to realize the benefits of digital channel-stacking technology,” said Will Torgerson, Vice President and General Manager, MaxLinear Broadband Group. “The latest dCSS LNB from ProBrand is a scalable, software programmable solution that allows Telefónica to customize and grow its pay-TV business, without having to replace LNBs in the future.”

About MaxLinear, Inc.

MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL), a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the connected home, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications. MaxLinear is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. For more information, please visit www.maxlinear.com.

MxL and the MaxLinear logo are trademarks of MaxLinear, Inc. Other trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

About ProBrand International

ProBrand International is a leading designer and developer of advanced antenna and RF systems for the satellite and telecommunications (wireless) sectors. ProBrand serves the leading North American, South American, and European DBS operators along with having aggressive expansion plans to the rest of the world, and has extensive expertise in related verticals such as very small aperture terminals (VSATs). Through its in-house engineering design team combined with advanced R&D labs, state-of-the-art indoor compact antenna and feed ranges, and leading-edge manufacturing facilities, ProBrand offers shortened time to market and a complete end-to-end solution.

Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements concerning Telefónica digital LNBs utilizing MaxLinear’s market-leading satellite RF and channel-stacking technology and statements concerning or implying the performance of MaxLinear’s technologies, their potential use cases, and the potential impact of these technologies on our business and future operating results. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current, preliminary expectations. In particular, our future operating results are substantially dependent on our assumptions about market trends and conditions and our expectations with respect to recently completed acquisitions, including our ability to integrate our recently completed acquisition of Exar Corporation. Additional risks and uncertainties arising from our operations generally and our recently completed acquisitions include intense competition in our industry; our dependence on a limited number of customers for a substantial portion of our revenues; uncertainties concerning how end user markets for our products will develop; potential uncertainties arising from continued consolidation among cable television and satellite operators in our target markets and continued consolidation among competitors within the semiconductor industry generally; our ability to develop and introduce new and enhanced products on a timely basis and achieve market acceptance of those products, particularly as we seek to expand outside of our historic markets; potential decreases in average selling prices for our products; risks relating to intellectual property protection and the prevalence of intellectual property litigation in our industry; indemnification obligations of Exar arising from a recent divestiture; the impact on our financial condition of acquisition indebtedness and cash usage arising from the Exar transaction; our reliance on a limited number of third party manufacturers; and our lack of long-term supply contracts and dependence on limited sources of supply. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, investors should review the risks and uncertainties contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. All forward-looking statements are based on the estimates, projections and assumptions of management as of the date of this press release, and MaxLinear is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts

MaxLinear, Inc. Press Contact:
The David James Agency LLC
David Rodewald
+1 805-494-9508
david@davidjamesagency.com
or
MaxLinear, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Will Torgerson
Vice President & General Manager, Broadband Group
+1 760-692-0711
wtorgerson@maxlinear.com
or
ProBrand International Corporate Contact:
Eric Shin
Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing

Release Summary

MaxLinear and ProBrand Intl announced the shipment of mass production quantities of digital satellite low-noise block downconverters to Telefónica.

Contacts

MaxLinear, Inc. Press Contact:
The David James Agency LLC
David Rodewald
+1 805-494-9508
david@davidjamesagency.com
or
MaxLinear, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Will Torgerson
Vice President & General Manager, Broadband Group
+1 760-692-0711
wtorgerson@maxlinear.com
or
ProBrand International Corporate Contact:
Eric Shin
Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing