Alpha Sees Strong Growth in Wireless LAN Markets; Volume Paced by Design References with Leading Provider of 802.11b Chipsets
In recent months, Alpha has received orders in excess of 3 million units for high-performance ultra-linear GaAs switches used in WLANs. The increase has been driven by strategic design references with a number of companies including the industry's leading provider of 802.11b chipsets. In addition, Alpha has just introduced a new 5.8 GHz transceiver chipset, featuring a power amplifier, low-noise amplifier and GaAs switch, for 802.11a applications.
"Our relationship with key players in the 802.11 market positions Alpha to continue gaining share as this business gains momentum," said Liam Griffin, Alpha's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Recent industry data identifies WLAN for business, small office and home applications as among the communications industry's hottest segments. The orders we are receiving today are in production, and we expect to see accelerating revenue from this market beginning in 2002."
WLANs permit wireless transmission of data between personal computers, laptops and other wireless devices located up to a radius of several hundred feet away. 802.11b has been broadly adopted as the industry standard for WLANs operating in the 2.4 GHz range, in part because it offers seamless interoperability among multiple vendor platforms. The higher frequency 802.11a market targets enterprise and campus environments and provides data rates up to 54 Mbps.
The GaAs RFICs encompassed in these design references are sold into 802.11b access nodes in both PCMCIA and PCI formats used in notebook computers and desktop PCs. "The trend of offering embedded wireless LAN capability directly into notebook computers has been a significant catalyst for us," Griffin said. "These products provide the mobility and versatility consumers are looking for, delivering low-cost wireless access while maintaining high-speed data rates up to 11 Mbps."
About Alpha
Alpha Industries is a leading provider of RF integrated circuit-based solutions, including semiconductors and ceramic components, for the wireless and broadband 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 historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations and predictions of future results, accomplishments, intentions 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: the cancellation or postponement of orders for the Company's GaAs switches and 5.8 GHz transceiver chipsets, the success of Alpha's various strategic relationships with its design reference partners, the success of wireless LANs, the continued adoption of the 802.11a and 802.11b standards, Alpha's ability to provide advantageous cycle times and a range of product offerings, inability to predict customer orders, the disproportionate impact of Alpha's business relationships with its larger customers, difficulty manufacturing products in sufficient quantity and quality, 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 1, 2001 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 forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement 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 Industries, Inc.
Paul Vincent
(781) 935-5150 Ext. 4438