Ascom Network Testing extends vendor interoperability leadership via agreement with GCT Semiconductor

Ascom Network Testing announced today a partnership with GCT Semiconductor, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of advanced 4G mobile semiconductor solutions, to integrate phones, modems and tablets enabled by GCT's LTE single-chip GDM7240 into TEMS Investigation, the most widely deployed LTE wireless network drive testing platform, as network test and optimization data sources.

GCT's single-chip LTE solutions enable LTE devices such as the LG Revolution and LG Esteem smartphones, as well as the LG VL600 USB dongle, offered by Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS. The addition of GCT to the list of supported chipset manufacturers increases the value of TEMS Investigation by providing wireless operators with additional LTE device options. TEMS Investigation also currently supports devices featuring chipsets from LG, Qualcomm, Samsung and ST-Ericsson.

Ascom Network Testing's multivendor support is unequaled in the industry. Its TEMS portfolio supports more technologies, devices, chipsets and interfaces than those of any other supplier in the industry. This level of support enables customers to easily switch between different technologies – and even between different generations of technologies – while still using the same test tools. In a global market spanning 2G/2.5G and 3G/4G networks, Ascom Network Testing’s TEMS solutions support all major wireless technologies, including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000, WCDMA, WiMAX, HSPA and HSPA+, TD-SCDMA and LTE (FDD/TDD).

“We are delighted to partner with GCT, the winner of LTE North America Awards 2011 for best chipset/processor. By teaming with the largest and most innovative suppliers in the industry, Ascom Network Testing is eliminating complexity for our wireless operator customers so they have the assurance that their TEMS solutions are continually evolving with rapid changes in the technology landscape,” remarked Erik Tarnvik, VP of Marketing, Ascom Network Testing. “We recognize that GCT is an important manufacturer of 4G chipsets used in many devices, and want to offer our customers who use them the ability to connect them to our TEMS Investigation product.”

“As more and more commercial devices are enabled by our market-proven 4G LTE single-chip GDM7240, we’re pleased to be partnering with Ascom and incorporating LTE devices into TEMS Investigation,” said Dr. Kyeongho “KH” Lee, President and CEO of GCT. “We look forward to continuing to work with partners such as Ascom and playing a leading role in the growth of the 4G ecosystem.”

ABOUT ASCOM NETWORK TESTING

Ascom Network Testing offers the TEMS Portfolio, the world’s most widely used network testing, monitoring and optimization platform. Ascom Network Testing is a division of Ascom, an international solution provider with comprehensive technological know-how in Mission-Critical Communication. The company focuses on the areas of Wireless Solutions (high-value, customer-specific on-site communications solutions) and Network Testing (a global market leader in optimization solutions for mobile networks). Ascom Group has subsidiaries in 20 countries and a workforce of about 2,300 employees worldwide. The registered shares of the Ascom Group (symbol ASCN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich. (www.ascom.com)

ABOUT GCT SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.

GCT Semiconductor is a leading fabless designer and supplier of advanced 4G mobile solutions. GCT’s products are system-on-a-chip solutions that integrate radio frequency, baseband modem and digital signal processing functions onto a single die for the 4G LTE and WiMAX markets. GCT was the first company to commercialize single-chip solutions for LTE and WiMAX. GCT’s proprietary technology and system-level expertise enable it to provide complete 4G platform solutions, which are differentiated by their small form factors, low power consumption, high performance, high reliability and cost effectiveness. For more information, please visit www.gctsemi.com.