Alpha Forms Alliance With EPCOS to Develop Switch/Filter Modules for Wireless Handsets; Products Represent Latest Milestone in Alpha's Integrated Module Roadmap
WOBURN, Mass., Jun 26, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alpha (Nasdaq: AHAA) today announced a strategic alliance with EPCOS AG of Munich, the world's leading provider of surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, to co-develop, manufacture and market a new family of switch/filter modules for wireless handsets.
This agreement links two companies that are the leaders in their respective markets. Alpha provides an expansive RF semiconductor technology and dominant position in the MMIC switch market. As Europe's largest manufacturer of passive components, EPCOS boasts extensive expertise in SAW filters and, more importantly, in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC), which has become a major integration medium for passive and active RF components.
"Consistent with our strategy to provide highly integrated RF modules for the mobile phone market, we have partnered with EPCOS to develop technology that dramatically enhances module performance and manufacturability," said David Aldrich, Alpha's president and CEO. "This alliance provides an essential module building block that secures Alpha's position as the world's leading provider of RF front-end solutions."
Under the agreement, the companies will develop switch/filter modules that will include control logic circuitry, switching and transmit/receive filtering. Initially, the modules are being developed for dual-band -- and eventually tri-band -- GSM handsets. Plans call for the first modules to begin shipping by September 2001.
"Combining switch and filter products into a single, easy-to-use LTCC package offers OEMs shorter design lead times and enhanced functionality, enabling them to reduce time-to-market for their newest handset models," Aldrich said. "These devices expand our technology base and create new market opportunities for Alpha in Europe and other major wireless markets around the globe. Ultimately, we see a competitive advantage in our ability to produce modules that occupy a smaller footprint and provide longer battery life and better overall RF performance than competing technologies."
Today's announcement represents another milestone in Alpha's product roadmap initiative based on the Company's proprietary Alpha Integration Platform (aiIP), a technique for the design, simulation, packaging and testing of RF modules that integrate multiple functions. In May, Alpha announced the introduction of the world's first tri-band power amplifier module employing InGaP HBT process technology.
About AlphaAlpha is a leading provider of RF integrated circuit-based solutions, including semiconductors and ceramic components, for the broadband and wireless communications markets. Alpha's switches, power amplifiers and discrete semiconductors are used by the world's leading broadband, infrastructure and wireless communications companies to enhance the speed, quality and performance of voice, data and video. The Company's Alpha Integration Platform (aiIP) is a breakthrough manufacturing, packaging and design technique that reduces design complexity and improves the OEM's overall time to market for new products. For more information, please visit Alpha's Web site, www.alphaind.com.
Safe Harbor Statement - Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this news release related to Alpha's alliance with EPCOS are forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current intentions, expectations and predictions of future results, accomplishments and other matters, all of which are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the Company's forward-looking statements, based on various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: cancellation or postponement of customer orders, inability to predict customer orders, the disproportionate impact of the Company's business relationships with its larger customers, variations in the timing of new product development and market acceptance, difficulty manufacturing products, including the Company's new switch/filter products, in sufficient quantity and quality, difficulty completing the Company's planned capital investments and process improvements, erosion of selling prices or margins, modification of the Company's plans or intentions, and market developments, competitive pressures and changes in economic conditions that vary from the Company's expectations. Additional information on these and other factors that may cause actual results and the Company's performance to differ materially is included in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including but not limited to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended April 2, 2000, and subsequent Forms 10-Q. Copies may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstance on which any such statement is based.
CONTACT: Alpha
Paul Vincent, Chief Financial Officer
(781) 935-5150 Ext. 4438