Building on its broadband wireless momentum, Motorola Inc. announced Wednesday an investment in Sequans Communications, a Paris-based supplier and developer of fixed and mobile WiMAX semiconductor offerings.
The amount of the Motorola investment was not specified, but was called “substantial.” It was made through Motorola Ventures, Motorola’s strategic venture capital arm.
The deal comes just months after Sprint Nextel Corp. announced it was teaming with Motorola, Intel Corp. and Samsung Corp. to build a nationwide WiMAX network, a watershed development in the evolution of the technology, according to industry analysts.
Motorola decided to invest in Sequans because of the firm’s focus on WiMAX silicon, said John O'Donohue, managing director of Motorola Ventures in Europe, adding that the move demonstrates a commitment to investing in companies “as part of the strategy of delivering Wi4, Motorola's next generation wireless solutions to the marketplace."
Georges Karam, Sequans CEO, said his firm’s work with Motorola will have a direct impact on the rollout of WiMAX network worldwide.
Sequans has been heavily involved with the development of IEEE 802.16 standards and WiMAX Forum activities, including all PlugFests and certification procedures. Sequans recently announced the general availability of its mobile WiMAX chip for client devices.
The chip boasts low power consumption, drawing 350mW of power, and delivering a throughput of more than 10mbps. Sequans also provides a base station solution for mobile WiMAX, as well as a base station and subscriber station chips for fixed WiMAX.
Next year, Sequans said it will deliver a mobile WiMAX chip for client devices designed to exceed WiMAX Forum Wave 2 certification requirements.
Motorola Inc. www.motorola.com
Sequans Communications www.sequans.com
