Sagem Wireless and ST-Ericsson to partner on LTE

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND & PARIS, FRANCE: Sagem Wireless, a leader in the design and delivery of customised connected lifestyle devices and services, and ST-Ericsson are to partner on the development of multimode LTE/HSPA+ reference designs, devices and modules. Sagem Wireless and ST-Ericsson are collaborating on a multimode platform, which can connect to LTE, HSPA+, 3G and GSM networks, to develop a mobile broadband modem to be launched before the end of 2010.

Supporting downlink speeds of up to 100 Mbps via LTE and 21 Mbps via HSPA+, Sagem Wireless' dongle modems will enable Internet Gateways to offer ultra high speed wireless access. These modems will also enable laptops to get online wherever there is mobile coverage, giving end-users a high level of flexibility.

There are now 61 live commercial HSPA+ networks in 34 countries and 80 mobile operators, spanning 33 countries, are committed to deploying LTE, according to the GSM Association. Sagem Wireless also plans to use the multimode platform to produce versatile modules that can bring high-speed mobile connectivity to laptops, netbooks, tablet computers, Machine to Machine (M2M) applications and other devices.

"Working with ST-Ericsson on LTE will enable Sagem Wireless to be at the forefront of the development of state-of-the-art devices and modules modems that can connect to the world's fastest mobile networks," said Yves Portalier, EVP, Strategic Planning of Sagem Wireless. "ST-Ericsson's single family of platforms will also enable Sagem Wireless to produce a wide range of devices faster and more cost-effectively than if we had to juggle multiple incompatible platforms."

"We have developed our multimode platform to enable people to connect to the best available mobile network wherever they are, whether that be with LTE, HSPA+, 3G or GSM, switching between different access technologies effortlessly and seamlessly," said Pascal Langlois, senior VP chief sales and marketing officer of ST-Ericsson. "The fact that the platform is ready to make its debut in commercial devices in 2010 further underlines ST-Ericsson's strong position in the development of LTE device platforms and to Sagem Wireless’ system-level and RF integration expertise."