Sequans’ Second Generation LTE Technology Approved by China’s MIIT

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE:SQNS) announced that its second generation LTE baseband chip has been officially approved by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for use in China. Sequans’ first generation LTE technology was approved by MIIT last year. The latest approval signifies that Sequans’ technology is qualified specifically for the phase 2 large-scale LTE trials of MIIT now being deployed by China Mobile. The trials demonstrate the operation of LTE Release 9 and dual-mode TD-SCDMA and LTE as required in China.

“We have long experience in China, stretching back to our participation in China Mobile’s first public demonstration of TD-LTE, and we have established valuable and productive partnerships with other key players in China, including Nationz.”

This announcement by Sequans follows an announcement made earlier this year by Sequans and Nationz, China’s leading provider of RF chips, whereby the two companies are jointly developing dual-mode TD-SCDMA/LTE devices such as mobile routers, CPE, and USB dongles for the Chinese marketplace. Some of these devices are being used in the phase 2 trials.

Sequans’ technology has been undergoing testing for several months while interoperating with leading system vendors in several cities, including Hangzhou, where testing was focused on the user experience and chipset performance. The successful passing of these tests indicate that Sequans’ technology meets the MIIT chipset performance and interoperability requirements necessary for the technology to be used successfully in the field.

“We are very pleased to have this second stamp of approval from MIIT, signaling our readiness for deployment in China and the rest of the world,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “We have long experience in China, stretching back to our participation in China Mobile’s first public demonstration of TD-LTE, and we have established valuable and productive partnerships with other key players in China, including Nationz.”

Cautions regarding forward-looking statements

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, and China.

The chip used in the MIIT tests was Sequans’ SQN3110 LTE baseband chip. SQN3110 conforms to 3GPP R9 standards, supports both TDD and FDD for global compatibility, and delivers category 4 throughput of 150 Mbps. SQN3110 has been adopted for use in LTE designs by numerous manufacturers, including Gemtek, Ubee Interactive, Seowon Intech, and Telenet Systems.