“For all handset IC suppliers their future fortunes in the market will be bound by their ability to embrace integration and supply the market with compelling solutions that enable high functionality whilst keeping costs down,” Cooney added.
MediaTek is focusing its MT6575 platform for low- to mid-end smartphones. It continues its transition from a lower-end handset to a smartphone-focused supplier.
Broadcom continues to lead the handset wireless connectivity market with almost 40 percent revenue market share, due largely to its strength in the combo IC market. Its long-term future in this market will be determined by its ability to match Qualcomm, MediaTek, and others in the integrated platform ICs market.
Texas Instruments is also strong in wireless connectivity being the second largest combo IC supplier but its withdrawal from the baseband IC (modem) market puts it at a disadvantage as platform solutions – which include wireless connectivity – start to become the norm.