Broadcom Touts EDGE Transceiver

IRVINE, Calif. -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the industry's first 65 nanometer EDGE radio frequency (RF) transceiver. Designed as a monolithic die in pure digital CMOS process technology, this new Broadcom(R) device integrates all transceiver and analog baseband functionality to deliver unparalleled savings in power consumption, size and cost. Introduction of this product marks a significant milestone for the wireless industry, as Broadcom applies years of research and development and extensive expertise in CMOS radio devices to the cellular market to forge an integration path towards a monolithic EDGE system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution.

EDGE is currently operating on nearly 200 networks worldwide and represents the next step on the evolutionary path to third generation (3G) cellular services. With data rates up to three times the capacity of old GPRS networks, EDGE allows the delivery of advanced mobile services such as the downloading of video and music clips, full multimedia messaging, high-speed color Internet access and email on-the-go. According to the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association), most GPRS networks will convert to EDGE as part of the evolution to 3G, with 258 networks in 136 countries committed to deploying EDGE. Of those networks, 196 are commercial in 105 countries. According to market research firm iSupply, EDGE represents the single largest segment of the mobile phone market with 470 million units expected to ship in 2010. Additionally, market analysts expect the standalone RF transceiver market to approach $6 billion by 2010.

"With the introduction of our new EDGE transceiver, we are taking the next big step towards fulfilling Broadcom's vision of a complete mobile platform solution," said Charlie Wilcoxson, Senior Director of Broadcom's Cellular RF line of business. "Broadcom has proven its industry-leading expertise in pure digital CMOS radio design with leadership in both the Wi-Fi(R) and Bluetooth(R) markets, having shipped hundreds of millions of high performance CMOS radios into the most demanding consumer and enterprise products. We are now poised to extend this leadership into the cellular radio market by offering our customers the industry's most advanced EDGE transceiver and providing a solid migration path to 3G."

Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM)