Zacks_Analysts' Blog : Qualcomm Unveils TDD LTE Products - Analyst Blog

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) recently introduced its next-generation super-fast TDD LTE (Time Division Duplex for LTE) chipsets. The company has conducted a trial for its MDM 9200 solution in China using the LTE network. The company plans to begin mobility trials for MDM 9200 and MDM 9600 solutions in China in late 2010. The MDM9200 and MDM9600 are integrated multi-mode, single-chip 3G/LTE solution and supports both FDD and TDD modes of Category 3 LTE. All these products will be commercially available from mid-2011.

China Mobile Ltd. (CHL), the largest Chinese telecom carrier, may become a major customer for Qualcomm’s TDD LTE products. In the U.S. MetroPCS Communications Inc. (PCS) and Verizon Wireless (VZ) are on the verge of deploying FDD LTE network. MDM 9200 and MDM 9600 chipsets are the products of Qualcomm’s sate-of-the-art Snapdragon platform. LM Ericsson Telephone Company (ERIC) recently conducted a trial run of TDD LTE network in India, where Qualcomm already own a slot in 20MGHz spectrum for broadband communications.

Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the most sought after next-generation (4G) super-fast wireless communications technology, is quickly gaining momentum in the Asia regions. The 4G wireless networks are aiming to cope with substantial demand for high-speed wireless data services and mobile video. Asia, especially the south and south-east part of this continent, contains the two largest emerging economies of the world, namely China and India.

Additionally, developed nations like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Philippines are also part of this subcontinent. As a result, the mobile services providers in this region often face increasing competition that forced them to upgrade their respective networks frequently.

We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation for Qualcomm. Currently, it is a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) stock.