MediaTek, NTT DoCoMo Partner on LTE Mobile Tech

Taipei, July 28, 2010 (CENS)--MediaTek Inc. yesterday announced it has signed an agreement to license long-term evolution (LTE) mobile technology from telecom carrier NTT DoCoMo of Japan, further strengthening the position of the Taiwan's chip design house in the market of chips for brand-name handsets.

MediaTek's executives pointed out that the company will conduct interoperability tests on LTE products in cooperation with NTT DoCoMo in accordance with the agreement. They added that with the agreement signed, the company will ship its LTE chips not only to Japan but also elsewhere in the world.

MediaTek executives stressed that the agreement is the first step of the strategic cooperation between MediaTek and NTT DoCoMo and their company hopes to develop long-term partnership with NTT DoCoMo.

NTT DoCoMo is another heavyweight telecom carrier to enter into alliance with MediaTek after Vodafone and China Mobile, allowing the local firm to make chips for brand-name handsets. MediaTek has been recognized as the No.1 supplier of chips for knock-off mobile phones of the established brands.

MediaTek has refused to disclose licensing royalty that NTT CoDoCo charges from it. In spite of the licensing agreement, MediaTek executives stress that LTE is still in early stage of R&D. They added that the company will not change its development pace of WiMAX project. WiMAX is said to be replaced by LTE.