LIVE FROM THE GSMA MOBILE ASIA CONGRESS 2010: LTE chipmaker Sequans is partnering with China Mobile this week to demo TD-LTE technology at Congress. The demo will feature USB dongles, as well as other devices, powered by Sequans silicon and offering high-definition video. Sequans’ TD-LTE chips and USB dongles were used by China Mobile during its demo network at the World Expo in Shanghai this year.

Gaining the support of the world’s largest mobile operator is a significant move for Sequans, which started out as a WiMAX chip manufacturer before expanding into the LTE market in early 2009. Sequans counts Sprint Nextel as a WiMAX customer and says its chips “will soon be inside LTE networks.”

Meanwhile Sequans also today announced a partnership with wireless broadband vendor Gemtek focused on new LTE consumer devices. Gemtek is developing devices based on Sequans’ LTE UE chip, including a compact USB dongle and a desktop CPE. Gemtek and Sequans expect this kit to be ready for large-scale operator trials beginning in the first quarter 2011 and for subsequent commercial deployments.