Financial Releases
RFMD(R) Commences WCDMA Shipments to Leading Tier-One Handset Manufacturer
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high- performance radio systems and solutions, today announced it has begun pre- production shipments of its RF3266 WCDMA power amplifier (PA) to a leading tier-one handset original equipment manufacturer (OEM), representing the commencement of a high volume ramp to this OEM. Leveraging proprietary technology and an industry-leading portfolio of 3G front ends, RFMD's RF3266 is powering a feature-rich 3G handset platform expected to support multiple handsets.
The most recent handset to be supported by the RF3266 is an ultra-compact slider phone supporting full quad-band EDGE and Band I WCDMA/HSDPA for global roaming coverage. As a 3G handset with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA support, the sleek new handset delivers full access to mobile operators' data services and also features a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera, a large touchpad display, Bluetooth® functionality and support for Bluetooth® stereo headphones -- all to provide a complete multi-media experience to the end user.
Eric Creviston, president of RFMD's Cellular Handset Products Group (CPG), said, "With the shipment of our industry-leading WCDMA front ends into this handset platform, RFMD further solidifies our momentum in the high-growth 3G multi-mode market and demonstrates our ability to deliver large production volumes of highly integrated, value-added RF solutions. We are very pleased to support this valued customer and anticipate a high-volume ramp in calendar 2008."
Manufacturers of 3G multi-mode handsets routinely select RFMD's industry- leading WCDMA PAs as a result of proprietary innovations, such as the low power mode featured in the RF3266, which enables 3G handsets to extend battery life during WCDMA/HSDPA operation. RFMD's RF3266 is a Band I, HSDPA-compliant WCDMA power amplifier with unique integrated power detection circuitry. The RF3266 is fully matched for easy implementation and is housed in a small 3x3x0.9mm package, providing the lowest profile WCDMA PA in the industry. The product's low power mode efficiency and linearity lineups enable handset manufacturers to optimize the transmit chain to meet various requirements of linearity, efficiency and output power. The RF3266 is designed to be the final WCDMA amplification stage in a 3G multi-mode mobile transmit lineup operating in the 1920MHz to 1980MHz band.
RFMD anticipates continued sales growth in the 3G handset market, which the Company forecasts will grow greater than 40% in 2008. RFMD is the leading supplier of 3G front ends, with a broad product portfolio catering to the varying requirements of all manufacturers and channel partners.
RFMD will showcase its industry-leading portfolio of cellular front end products at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 11-14, 2008, in Hall 8, Stand 8B79.
About RFMD: RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency systems and solutions. RFMD's cellular front ends, cellular transceivers, RF components and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in the cellular handset, cellular base station, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV networking, aerospace, defense, and global positioning systems (GPS) markets. Recognized for its diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and vast RF systems expertise, RFMD is a preferred supplier to the world's leading mobile device and RF equipment manufacturers.
Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., RFMD is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001- certified manufacturer with worldwide engineering, design, sales and service facilities. RFMD is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol RFMD. For more information, please visit RFMD's website at http://www.rfmd.com.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under the federal securities laws. RF Micro Devices' business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including variability in quarterly operating results, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, risks associated with the operation of our wafer fabrication facilities, molecular beam epitaxy facility, assembly facility and test and tape and reel facilities, our ability to complete acquisitions and integrate acquired companies, including the risk that we may not realize expected synergies from our business combinations, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, variability in production yields, our ability to reduce costs and improve gross margins by implementing innovative technologies, our ability to bring new products to market, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on a limited number of customers, and dependence on third parties. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in RF Micro Devices' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE RF Micro Devices, Inc.
CONTACT: Dean Priddy, CFO, +1-336-678-7975, or Doug DeLieto, VP, Investor Relations, +1-336-678-7968, both of RF Micro Devices, Inc.