GCT Semiconductor Announces the World’s First Highly Integrated Multi-Mode LTE Chipset Supporting the 450 MHz Spectrum
GCT Semiconductor announces the world’s first highly integrated multi-mode LTE chipset supporting the 450 MHz spectrum, capable of operating in Cat 4, Cat 1bis, Cat-M1, Cat NB1/NB2, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). The new SoC is optimized for mission-critical and public utility networks globally, promising extensive coverage over land, sea, and air. GCT leverages its two decades of expertise in 450 MHz solutions to help members of the 450 MHz Alliance tap into emerging markets. The GDM7243SL chipset, featuring dual RX and low-band dual TX, is designed to maintain connectivity in challenging conditions. It will be available for customer sampling in Q4.
- First highly integrated multi-mode LTE chipset supporting 450 MHz spectrum.
- Capable of operating in Cat 4, Cat 1bis, Cat-M1, Cat NB1/NB2, and NTN.
- Optimized for private, mission-critical and public utility networks.
- Promises global coverage over land, sea, and air.
- Utilizes UL diversity and higher power for connectivity in challenging conditions.
- Expected availability for customer sampling in Q4.
- The focus on 450 MHz may limit appeal to markets primarily interested in 5G.
- Initial adoption could be slow despite the claimed readiness.
Insights
The unveiling of GCT Semiconductor's new multi-mode LTE chipset, the GDM7243SL, marks a significant leap in wireless communication technology. This chipset’s ability to operate across multiple categories (Cat 4, Cat 1bis, Cat-M1, Cat NB1/NB2) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) makes it exceptionally versatile. Such integration is expected to reduce costs and increase efficiency for device manufacturers, as it consolidates multiple functions into a single chip. The chipset's capability to maintain connectivity in challenging conditions—such as underground or remote areas—addresses critical communication needs in sectors like emergency services and remote healthcare. This innovation could foster widespread adoption, potentially leading to a substantial increase in market share for GCT. Coupled with its tuning range from 380 MHz to 3,800 MHz, this product stands to simplify device design and reduce the need for additional RF components. The projected sampling of this chipset in Q4 suggests GCT is on a strategic timeline to capture market interest and drive early adoption. Investors should watch for actual implementation and client uptake to gauge the longer-term impact.
GCT Semiconductor's new chipset comes at a strategic moment when the market is heavily focused on 5G, highlighting an underserved niche within the 450 MHz spectrum space. The 450 MHz spectrum is particularly valuable for mission-critical applications due to its superior range and penetration capabilities, making it ideal for rural and remote areas. The fact that this chipset supports global coverage over land, sea and air opens up new market opportunities in public utilities and private infrastructure. With the 450 MHz deployments already in the millions, the introduction of a highly integrated chipset could accelerate this growth trend, especially in underdeveloped regions. This move could create a competitive edge for GCT, differentiating it from other semiconductor companies primarily focusing on 5G and higher spectrum bands. Monitoring future partnerships and customer feedback will be important to evaluating the market acceptance and commercial success of this chipset.
From a financial perspective, GCT Semiconductor’s announcement of the GDM7243SL chipset is likely to have a positive impact on the company's revenue streams. The comprehensive nature of this chipset, supporting multiple LTE categories and non-terrestrial networks, positions it well for adoption across various industries, including emergency services, healthcare and remote educational institutions. The company's focus on the 450 MHz spectrum, which is expected to grow into the tens of millions, suggests a significant market opportunity. However, investors should remain cautious and look for concrete metrics such as sales volumes and client acquisitions post-launch. The revenue impact will be contingent on the chipset's adoption rate and the ability to establish strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the 450 MHz Alliance. While the current announcement is promising, its sustained financial impact will depend on execution and market response in the coming quarters.
As 450 MHz deployments are expected to grow to the tens of millions, GCT is using its deep expertise in both the 450 MHz space and the industrial sector to enable 450 MHz Alliance members to address new markets and requirements. “450 MHz device deployments are already in millions of devices worldwide and serve critical communications needs in safety and emergency services, as well as remote healthcare facilities, schools, and more,” said John Schlaefer, CEO of GCT. “With this new chipset, GCT is fully ready to support the continued growth of 450 MHz, 410 MHz, and 380 MHz networks worldwide.”
“We’re excited to have GCT continue its support of the 450 MHz Alliance members and ecosystem,” said Gösta Kallner, Executive Chairman of 450 MHz Alliance. “Bringing a new LTE chipset to market during a time when 5G has taken the spotlight shows true leadership and understanding of the 450 MHz market as it enters a period of strong growth.”
With dual RX and low-band dual TX, GDM7243SL utilizes UL diversity and higher power to maintain connectivity even in challenging conditions, such as underground or remote deep forests that do not have access to traditional terrestrial networks. GCT’s new dual-core solution offers integrated RAM and optional Flash, allowing customers to create fully integrated devices without requiring an external processor. GDM7243SL’s monolithic baseband and radio features tuning from 380 MHz to 3,800 MHz, with multiple ports available to reduce external RF components.
GDM7243SL is expected to sample to customers in the fourth quarter of this year. Contact sales@gctsemi.com for more information.
About GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc.
GCT is a leading fabless designer and supplier of advanced 5G and 4G LTE semiconductor solutions. GCT’s market-proven solutions have enabled fast and reliable 4G LTE connectivity to numerous commercial devices such as CPEs, mobile hotspots, routers, M2M applications, smartphones, etc., for the world’s top wireless carriers. GCT’s system-on-chip solutions integrate radio frequency, baseband modem, and digital signal processing functions, therefore offering complete 4G and 5G platform solutions with small form factors, low power consumption, high performance, high reliability, and cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit www.gctsemi.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1955. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding 450 MHz deployments, the expected timeline for shipping samples, and the Company’s products to support 450 MHz deployments. Words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause actual future events to differ materially from the expected results, include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Company to develop its 5G products and generate revenue; the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitability and retain its key employees; the Company's financial and business performance, including the Company's financial projections and business metrics; changes in the Company's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, forecasts, projected costs, prospects and plans; the Company's inability to anticipate the future market demands and future needs of its customers; the impact of component shortages, suppliers' lack of production capacity, natural disasters or pandemics on the Company's sourcing operations and supply chain; the Company's future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash; the ability of the Company to raise sufficient capital to fund its operations; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, including the growth of the 5G market; the risk of economic downturns that affects the Company's business operation and financial performance; the risk that the Company may not be able to develop and design its products acceptable to its customers; actual or potential conflicts of interest of the Company's management with its public stockholders; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the registration statement on Form S-1, and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, including those under the "Risk Factors" section therein and other filings with the SEC. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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- Investor relations website: investors.gctsemi.com
- Investor relations contact: Gateway Group, Matt Glover & Ralf Esper, GCT@gateway-grp.com
- Media contact: Sophie Heerinckx, sheerinckx@gctsemi.com
Source: GCT Semiconductor Holding Inc.
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