Fujitsu Finalizes Acquisition of Wi-LAN Intellectual Property Division for WiMAX Products, Extending the Scope of Patent Licenses
New Entity, Fujitsu Microelectronics Canada, to Enhance Fujitsu's WiMAX Development
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 30 / / -- Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Wi-LAN's IP Division. (See related press release from Wi-LAN on March 20, 2006.) This acquisition includes Wi-LAN's entire technology development division, including all 802.16d-like, standards-based MAC and PHY technologies. Fujitsu Microelectronics has also employed a large group of highly skilled engineers from Wi-LAN and formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, Fujitsu Microelectronics Canada Inc., in Calgary, Canada.
"Since partnering with Wi-LAN in 2002, Fujitsu has leveraged WiLAN's OFDM technology in the development of our IP cores," said Kazuyuki Kawauchi, president and CEO of Fujitsu Microelectronics America. "This acquisition reinforces Fujitsu's commitment to the WiMAX market, and is also good news for our customers and prospects, who are embracing WiMAX and the Fujitsu SoC as standards of excellence in broadband wireless access.
"We have purchased the Wi-LAN IP related to WiMAX, extended the scope of our patent licenses from Wi-LAN, and retained an experienced engineering team to continue our WiMAX development," Kawauchi continued. "This will assure our customers that the products they buy from us will grant them the patent protection they need to develop their own products and systems. It also ensures that we can share all OFDM source files with customers who want to develop SoC technology with us."
Fujitsu continues to add both customers and capabilities to strengthen its track record in WiMAX. Fujitsu's WiMAX customers will benefit from the WiMAX SoC's multiplexing technology, advanced processor integration and support, whether developing base stations, wireless routers, subscriber stations or any other WiMAX-enabling access hardware in any frequency band.
"Wi-LAN is very pleased to conclude this transaction with FMA and wishes FMA great progress in this market," said Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, Chairman of the Board of Wi-LAN Inc. "FMA is now the only semiconductor manufacturer that is selling 802.16d chips licensed by Wi-LAN."
Fujitsu is a founding and board member of the WiMAX Forum(TM) as well as an active participant in the IEEE and ETSI standards bodies. Fujitsu has been a leader in generating industry-wide acceptance of the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI HiperMAN wireless MAN standards, which are the basis of successful WiMAX deployments.
About Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.
Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) leads the industry in innovation. FMA provides high-quality, reliable semiconductor products and services for the networking, communications, automotive, security and other markets throughout North and South America. For more information please visit the company's website at us.fujitsu.com/micro or e-mail inquiry@fma.fujitsu.com.
NOTE: All product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Source: Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.
CONTACT: Emi Igarashi of Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.,
+1-408-737-5647, or eigarash@fma.fujitsu.com; or Jill Budzynski,
jmb@marketready.com, or Tina Tan, ttan@marketready.com, both of Market Ready
Public Relations, +1-763-548-8208, for Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.
Web site: http://www.fma.fujitsu.com/
