HT mMobile to launch 3G mobile chips

TAIPEI, TAIWAN: HT mMobile, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Sunplus Technology, is launching chips for 3G mobile handsets by the end of 2009.

Huang Chou-Chye, chairman HT mMobile, of Huang Chou-Chye, said in a statement that the company has entered into strategic alliances with a manufacturer of white-box handsets, based in China; with a distributor of components; and with Giantplus Technology, the supplier of small- size and medium-size panels, a DigiTimes report said.

HT mMobile, according to Huang Chou-Chye, is planning to enter the 3G chip market not to compete with MediaTek, but, instead, to compete with Qualcomm, the world’s leading supplier of 3G chips. The statement said that HT mMobile has set a target of 3 per cent the global market share.

It may be noted that MediaTek – a leading fabless semiconductor firm for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions – has announced its plans to start 3G WCDMA chips by the end of 2009.

Meanwhile, Sunplus Technology has reported losses to the tune of NT$317 million ($9.74 million) through HT mMobile in the first 3 quarters of 2009.

Sunplus Technology said it cut down its stake in HT mMobile from 90 per cent to 30 per cent, and estimates that its losses from HT mMobile, its subsidiary, will be reduced to NT$40- NT$50 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.