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Wireless technologies creating digital environment

"Wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies make the experience of living in a digital environment possible and enjoyable."

Jerry Wang, BenQ Corp vice president

Wireless products and applications have become the mainstream at Computex Taipei this year, as local manufactures are displaying wireless transmission capabilities to enrich people's digital lives.

"Wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies make the experience of living in a digital environment possible and enjoyable," said Jerry Wang (王文燦), a vice president of BenQ Corp (明基電通), Taiwan's largest mobile-phone maker, which also makes notebook PCs, digital cameras and a wide selection of consumer electronics.

At this year's Computex, BenQ introduced its first wireless-transmission gateway, which it is expected to produce commercially by the end of the year.

WLAN is a data-communications system that enables users to connect to the Internet via radio-frequency technology without hard-wire connections.

The mobile technology was initially designated as an application for notebook PCs, but is now known for its various cross-sector applications. Consumers can access the Internet via WLAN system and seamlessly switch to mobile services when they need timely information on the move, Wang said.

Another example is the emerging idea of "digital home" or "connected home" which creates an environment in which all of a home's digital devices are connected to share information and entertainment content via WLAN networks.

Global Sun Technology Inc (陽慶電子), one of the nation's WLAN equipment makers, also showcased its new combo cards which demonstrated the current convergence between WLAN systems and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) mobile connections.

"We are banking on the new technology to boost profit margins," said Rosa Lin (林應秀), marketing department manager of Global Sun.

China Mobile Communications Corp (中國移動通信), China's largest mobile-phone operator, last week farmed out an order of combo cards to Global Sun.

Lin yesterday confirmed the deal but declined to elaborate.

Another WLAN combination is the integration between WLAN transmission modules and mobile disks. At Computex, TwinMos Technologies Inc (勤茂資通), a Taiwanese DRAM module and memory-card manufacturer, unveiled this kind of gadget.

"It looks almost the same as a regular mobile disk, while it not only enables computer users to save data but also allows users to access WLAN networks," TwinMos senior manager Russell Shyur (徐錫霖) said yesterday.

Taiwan shipped out 7.1 million units of WLAN equipment valued at US$164 million in the second quarter this year, according to government statistics.

Recognizing the local industry's prowess in producing these wireless communications items, a global player has decided to strengthen its relationship with Taiwanese equipment makers.

"The Taiwan market represents enormous opportunity as industry trends continue to drive the migration of handset and WLAN terminal design activity to Asia," said Bami Bastani, CEO of Anadigics Inc, a US-based wireless and broadband communications solution provider.

He made the comment during a speech yesterday to inaugurate the company's new applications center in the Neihu area of Taipei.

"The new center will work as an Asia-Pacific center to serve our customers within this region," said Charles Huang (黃清亮), executive vice president of Anadigics.

Anadigics is the third US technology giant in the last four weeks -- the other two being Intel Corp and 3Com Corp -- to announce the establishment in Taiwan of research or design center for wireless technology.

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