Comba secures TD Smart Antennas orders from China Mobile

3G buildout involves more than 100,000 TD-SCDMA base stations, and at least 200,000 sets of TD smart antennas in two categories supporting A-band and F-band.

Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited (“Comba”), a leading wireless enhancement solutions provider announced that the Group has secured a large order for TD smart antennas from China Mobile Communications Corporation (“China Mobile”) in Phase 4 of its 3G network buildout, according to a Comba report.

China Mobile has continued its advance in the construction of its 3G TD-SCDMA network. With actual implementation started in 2010, Phase 4 of the 3G buildout involves more than 100,000 TD-SCDMA base stations, and at least 200,000 sets of TD smart antennas in two categories supporting A-band and F-band: directional smart antennas and integrated antennas for base stations.

China Mobile’s procurement exercise ran from June to September 2010, where China Mobile conducted overall assessment of the bidding vendors for overall strength, quality and supply capability. Comba was selected on the basis of the outstanding quality of its line of TD smart antennas. As a result of the successful bid, the Group will manufacture 44,000 sets of the two antennas, accounting for 21% and 40% share of China Mobile’s Phase 4 TD smart antenna orders. This is the largest antenna order within the TD Phase 4 construction project secured by the Group to date.

Mr Bu Bin Long, General Manager, Antennas and Subsystem Business Unit of Comba, said, “The TD smart antenna is an integral and core component of TD network construction. The product development is a collaborative R&D effort driven by China Mobile and supported by the manufacturers, especially Comba. Currently, Comba is working with mobile operators and conducting R&D into the next generation of smart antenna (TD-LTE antenna) and will continue to maintain its position as a key supplier in close partnership with operators such as China Mobile during its follow-on network construction projects.”