Financial Releases
RFMD(R) Forecasts Continued 802.11 Front End Leadership in WLAN-Enabled Handsets
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio systems and solutions, today announced it expects continued leadership in calendar year 2008 in wireless local area network- (WLAN-) enabled cellular handsets, based upon continued traction for the RF5924 WLAN power amplifier and favorable design activity related to additional RFMD® WLAN front end solutions. RFMD's RF5924 WLAN power amplifier was the highest volume 802.11 front end in WLAN-enabled handsets in 2007.
RFMD is the leading supplier of cellular front ends for mobile devices and enjoys unrivalled relationships with handset manufacturers. As such, RFMD is uniquely positioned to deliver cost-effective 802.11 front ends into the high-growth market for WLAN-enabled mobile devices. Industry analysts estimate that approximately 29 million of the 1.1 billion cellular handsets shipped in 2007 were WLAN-enabled. That number is projected to grow to 80 million in 2008 and 170 million in 2010, significantly outpacing the rate of growth of the handset market.
The performance characteristics of RFMD's high-volume RF5924 specifically address the requirements of advanced wireless applications, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which are driving the adoption of WLAN in handsets. The RF5924 provides high data throughput and wide WLAN coverage and is designed for easy integration into mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other energy-sensitive battery-powered, portable devices.
RFMD is expanding its portfolio of WLAN components, including 802.11 b/g front ends for mobile devices and recently launched 802.11n front ends for notebook computers. The Company is currently sampling its RF5725 802.11 b/g front end module to lead customers and anticipates the RF5725 will support RFMD's continued leadership in 802.11 front ends for WLAN-enabled mobile devices. The highly integrated RF5725 front end module contains a high-linearity/high-efficiency power amplifier (PA), a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a transmit/receive/Bluetooth® switch.
Rohan Houlden, general manager of RFMD's Wireless Connectivity Business Unit, said, "Wireless LAN front ends represent a strong growth area for RFMD given the continued adoption of WLAN-enabled handsets and the continued growth of WLAN in notebook computers and other portable devices. The migration from power amplifiers to highly integrated front end modules represents a tremendous opportunity for RFMD as we offer a comprehensive portfolio of WLAN components, from single- and dual-band high-performance, low-cost LNAs to single- and dual-band complete front end modules. RFMD's flexible product portfolio provides the solutions our customers need to react quickly and cost-effectively to changes in the evolving WLAN market."
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 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.