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"Every WiMAX device has two antennas and you must have two transmit channels on the uplink to fully exploit this, said CEO Georges Karam. "Sequans was the first and is still the only chipmaker providing this capability, and now with our new 2T CLD algorithm we have enhanced it."

Fellow 4G chip independent Beceem will launch its dual-mode WiMAX/LTE silicon roadmap in Barcelona, and show off its first LTE device chip. It is focusing on a dual-mode WiMAX-LTE chipset for devices that need to support both standards, in both TDD and FDD modes, with channel sizes up to 20MHz, seamless hand-off and a wide range of frequencies.

In the first years, neither LTE nor WiMAX operators will have massive coverage but will tend to focus on key metro areas. Many will look to sign roaming deals and even offload traffic to one anothers' systems, requiring multimode devices. Some carriers may even deploy both technologies in different locations. "A TDD user on Clearwire could seamlessly roam on to Verizon's FDD LTE network if the two were on a friendly terms," said VP of marketing Lars Johnsson said.

While a relatively niche market, this focus will allow Beceem to avoid going head-to-head with Qualcomm or other giants, though it does expect to take share from them over time. By contrast, Altair has been hoping to create a partnership with a larger cellphone chipmaker, allowing them to acquire a 4G baseband quickly.

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