The Hindu Business Line : `4G poised for take-off'

FOURTH-generation (4G) wireless systems are poised to take off, driven by consumer electronics, digital lifestyles and convergence applications that bring television onto mobile phones, according to the Chief Executive Officer of ATI Technologies, Mr Dave Orton.

Mr Orton, who is in India as a part of International Conference on VLSI Design and Embedded Systems, said the interesting aspect of this 4G applications is that the semiconductor industry will play a vital role in its expansion.

As a part of the semiconductor industry, which is poised to grow at about 6 per cent per annum over the next four to five years, Indian semiconductor companies and technologists are set to play a vital role in this innovation-driven market.

Delivering his address ahead of the conference, Mr Orton, part of the $2.2-billion ATI Technologies Inc., said, "Over the years, we have been hearing about thin client as next big wave. Though this did not take off as expected replacing the desktops, a mobile phone has the potential to become a thin client allowing users to access all information and services and possibly watch your favourite movie or movies."

"The 4G digital revolution powered by the broadband, will see 170 million TVs and 200 million PCs and about 780 million mobile phones added. This presents diverse opportunities for semiconductor companies to tap into this huge market," he said.