French WiMAX start-up gets $9m
To accelerate the launch of its WiMAX system-on-chip, fabless semiconductor provider Sequans Communications said it has received $9m (€7m) in a series B financing round from venture capital firms Add Partners, Vision Capital, SGAM, T-source and Cap Décisif.
Currently in the works is a SoC for basestations and subscriber stations, based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard, incorporating features required for initial WiMAX certification, as well as selected optional features such as space-time coding, diversity combining, full sub-channelisation, ARQ and real-time services, the company said.
These features, along with Sequans’ optimised implementation, are aimed at enabling true indoor coverage, increased capacity, and applications such as video, VoIP, or TDM backhauling.
Moving forward, the company said it plans to deliver an 802.16e solution, designed both for the Korean WiBro market and to support future mobile evolutions of WiMAX.
“This round provides Sequans with the funding that is vital to launching our 802.16-2004 /802.16e products and to execute on our go to market strategy,” he added.
More information: www.sequans.com