According to the Ministry of Information Industry, mobile phone sales in China in 2005 added up to 140 million units (including smuggling and underground market). The market share of imported brands (including smuggling market) was 65%. The baseband semiconductors shipment of MediaTek in 2005 was 30 million pieces, among which, 90% went to China mainland with a market share of 55%. The other large providers include ADI, TI and Philips.

The surge of Mediatek market share from 13% in 2004 to 55% in 2005 is a miracle. Its shipment increased from 3.4 million pieces to 27 million pieces. And the handset models of MT6228 and MT6229 developed by MediaTek will carry on the myth of MT6218 and MT6219 in 2006.

ADI and Spreadtrum are now really influenced by MediaTek. ADI pays much attention on Asian market. However, because its software development highly depends on TTPCOM with such problems as long development period, high technical difficulty and high cost, its clients such as LG turned to MediaTek. Spreadtrum, which concentrates on Chinese local mobile phone manufacturers, had to reduce the price due to the fierce competition with MediaTek.

The decline of Philips was mainly caused by a sharp shipment decrease of CECW who adopts Philips platform, and also by the fact that it pays less attention to the semiconductor sector. Moreover, although under pressure, TI has successfully positioned itself on high-end products, especially in the field of smart mobile phone. And SKYWORKS has gained a strong support from Techfaith, thus maintaining a steady market share.

In China, there are 4-5 corporations specializing in the development of TD-SCDMA baseband. Although TD-SCDMA attracts more and more attention, it still has a high risk. The maturity of TD-SCDMA and support level of operators are all still having many undetermined factors. Operators are all expected to establish 3G network with lowest cost, strongest performance. Even if the license for TD-SCDMA will be issued in 2006, it still does not imply the success of TD-SCDMA

But there is no doubt that WCDMA license will be definitely issued in 3G market in China. WCDMA also faces a couple of challenges such as an expensive patent (Qualcomm), a large investment requirement and a furious competition. Three Taiwan corporations have entered the field of WCDMA baseband, including MediaTek.

The most suitable time-to-market for TD-SCDMA baseband manufacturers will be shortly before or after the issue of TD-SCDMA license. For most investors and security analysts, issue of TD-SCDMA license means absolute success of TD-SCDMA, due to their superficial knowledge of the market and technology.

For most mobile handsets, baseband is the most expensive semiconductor device. As the price TFT-LCD display is declining, baseband semiconductor is becoming the most expensive mobile handset device. Moreover, baseband determines the choice of mobile phone platforms, as well as the function and performance of mobile phones. Therefore, it is definitely the heart of mobile phone.

The market pattern of baseband semiconductors is changing. In the 2G market, especially the China market, the emergence of MediaTek caused a great change. It has swept the Chinese market with its low price, high concentration, abundant functions, high performance, perfect service etc.

         Baseband semiconductors distribution of Chinese local-made mobile handsets in 2004