Companies to Work Closely on Performance Testing and Prototyping of TDD-LTE Devices
PARIS and BELLEVUE, Wash., May 7, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 4G chipmaker Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE:SQNS) and Clearwire (NASDAQ:CLWR, news, filings), a leading provider of wireless broadband services, today announced an agreement to collaborate on LTE for the purpose of accelerating the availability of LTE devices for Clearwire’s planned TDD-LTE network and to optimize the user experience for Clearwire’s customers. The two companies will work together on performance testing and certification, standards development, and the creation of devices to support multi-band, multi-mode TDD-LTE and FDD-LTE solutions.
“Clearwire is a 4G leader with big plans for TDD-LTE where it is establishing strategic partnerships around the world to develop and strengthen the TDD-LTE ecosystem,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “Continuing the successful relationship begun under their current 4G network configuration into TDD-LTE makes perfect sense for our two companies. We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with Clearwire.”
“As one of the largest chip providers for a wide range of devices in the WiMAX ecosystem, Sequans has been a major enabler of our growth,” said John Saw, Clearwire’s Chief Technology Officer. “We are pleased to work with Sequans to bring LTE devices to market while also ensuring that the user experience on our planned LTE Advanced-ready network is second to none. We look forward to leveraging our successful relationship with Sequans to develop a new wave of devices for our 4G future.”
Sequans TDD-LTE Leadership
Sequans is one of the early leaders in TDD-LTE chip technology and was one of the first to provide China Mobile with working silicon for the launch of the world’s first TDD-LTE demonstration network in Shanghai in May of 2010. Sequans’ technology was approved by China’s MIIT for use in China and was also used in one of six major commercial trials China Mobile has deployed. Sequans’ TDD-LTE technology is operating in commercial networks in Brazil and Australia.
Clearwire LTE and Band Class 41
Clearwire’s next-generation LTE Advanced-ready network will operate according to the 3GPP Band 41 specification, which aligns to Clearwire’s 2.6 GHz spectrum frequency. Clearwire’s LTE network is expected to be a major advancement over the current LTE networks deployed in the U.S. because it will be designed to provide far more broadband capacity than is possible with today’s other 4G networks. With more than 160MHz of spectrum available in the 100 largest markets in the U.S., Clearwire’s LTE Advanced-ready network should position the company as the clear leader in 4G mobile broadband technology, capable of serving the current and anticipated future demands of wholesale and retail customers.
Clearwire expects that multi-band, multi-mode TDD-LTE devices that can run on its network and other networks will be commercially available in 2013.
About Sequans Communications
Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE:SQNS) is a 4G chipmaker, supplying LTE and WiMAX chips to original equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers worldwide. Founded in 2003 to address the WiMAX market, the company expanded in early 2009 to address the LTE market. Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices throughout the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. www.sequans.com; Twitter: www.twitter.com/sequans
The Sequans Communications S.A. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12733
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of 4G wireless broadband services offering services in areas of the U.S. where more than 130 million people live. The company holds the deepest portfolio of wireless spectrum available for data services in the U.S. Clearwire serves retail customers through its own CLEAR® brand as well as through wholesale relationships with some of the leading companies in the retail, technology, and telecommunications industries, including Sprint. The company is constructing a next-generation 4G LTE Advanced-ready network to address the capacity needs of the market, working closely with the Global TDD-LTE Initiative and China Mobile to further the TDD-LTE ecosystem. Clearwire is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash. Additional information is available at http://www.clearwire.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements which are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made with information that is currently available. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, expectations regarding the companies’ respective network development and market launch plans and the provision of wholesale roaming services under the agreement being entered into. The words “will,” “would,” “may,” “should,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “target,” “designed,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward- looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from such statements. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such differences, please refer to the filings made by Clearwire and Sequans Communications, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in the parties’ respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K. The parties assume no obligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Sequans Contacts
Media Relations:
Kimberly Tassin, +1.425.736.0569, Kimberly@sequans.com
Investor Relations:
Claudia Gatlin, +1 212.830.9080, Claudia@sequans.com
Clearwire Contacts
Investor Relations:
Alice Ryder, 425-636-5828
alice.ryder@clearwire.com
Media Relations:
Susan Johnston, 425-216-7913
susan.johnston@clearwire.com
JLM Partners for Clearwire
Mike DiGioia or Jeremy Pemble, 206-381-3600
mike@jlmpartners.com or jeremy@jlmpartners.com
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