MediaTek is exhibiting its WiMAX and WCDMA (W&W) chips at the 2008 Taipei International Electronics Show (Taitronics), with the WiMAX chips perhaps being mass produced at the end of 2008. WCDMA chip samples have already been sent to customers and related shipments are expected to begin in the first half of 2009. The so-called W&W chips will play an important roles for MediaTek's operation in 2009, company chairman Ming-Kai Tsai indicated.

MediaTek is also demonstrating its newest applications for Bluetooth, GPS, Blu-ray DVD, handset and DTV.

MediaTek reported consolidated September sales of NT$9.85 billion (US$304 million) up 4.19% on month, being the highest total for the company in 2008 and the second-highest in the company's history. Consolidated sales in the third quarter were NT$27.89 billion, up 25.85% compared with the second quarter and even better than the company's adjusted expectation of 22-25%. Investors expect MediaTek's earnings per share (EPS) in this quarter to challenge its high of NT$6. Its consolidated sales accumulated from January to September were NT$69.3 billion, up 16.34% on year.

Even though the weak economy may last 1-3 years in the future, MediaTek has a stronger financial base than many other industry players since it holds more than NT$30 billion in cash and has gross margins on average of higher than 53%. In addition, while other companies have announced they will cut back on staff, MediaTek is still recruiting employees.

Source:DIGITIMES