- Changing Dynamics in Handset RF Space

Introduction – Consolidation and rationalization in the RF sector
In February 2014 RF Micro Devices (RFMD) and Triquint Semiconductor, two of the largest suppliers of RF components in the market, agreed to merge. The resulting company (nameless at the time of this report) should be far stronger than the sum of its parts, but questions remain. What isn’t in question is that this merger is a good thing for the industry.

RFMD and Triquint are heavily levered to the mobile device market so the merger is being driven by the handset industry dynamics.
While still growing, the connected device market is becoming saturated. The smartphone segment continues to offer good growth prospects as reducing prices drive penetration. But even here, the growth levels are easing...