China's 4G Smartphone Market Set for Explosive Growth This Year:

China's domestic market for 4G smartphones is poised for a massive liftoff this year as shipments grow sixteenfold from 2013 levels, according to a new report from IHS Technology.

Shipments in 2014 of 4G smartphones within China are forecast to reach 72.4 million units, up nearly 1,500 percent from just 4.6 million last year, with the market expected to take off after the second half. It will be the first big year for 4G smartphones in only its second year in the country, up from a practically nonexistent base two years ago.

For the next few years the 4G smartphone market in China will see unstoppable growth, doubling in shipments next year to 144.1 million units, rising another 53 percent to 219.8 million, and then ending 2017 at 298.5 million units.

"With support from the government and increasing clamor from the public, 4G smartphones will be the new hot market in China," said Kevin Wang, director for China research at IHS. "Already Beijing has granted licenses for TD-LTE, China's homegrown version of the 4G Long Term Evolution standard, to the state's three carriers. This way, China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom can all launch commercial 4G services whenever they wish."

Tablet Processor Chip Market to Surge by 23%, Attracting Intel and Chinese Rivals:

Strong growth in the processor market for tablet devices this year and beyond will draw increasing competition from suppliers eager to throw their hat into the ring, including the likes of giant chipmaker Intel, according to a new report from IHS Technology.

Global shipments in 2014 of tablet processors will reach an estimated 299.7 million units, up 23 percent from 243.1 million last year. Another robust increase is expected in 2015 when volumes spike 18 percent, with tablet processors then exceeding 400.0 million units by 2016.

"With the iPad from Apple, Samsung's Galaxy and other offerings from various tablet makers still selling well among consumers, a number of vendors are starting to join the race to supply tablet processors for the market," said Gerry Xu, senior analyst for processor research at IHS. The players range from kingpin Intel, to a smattering of Chinese suppliers involved in the so-called white-box market for lower-end tablets, Xu noted.

Mobile PCs and Smartphones to Be Top Revenue Opportunities for IC Suppliers:

Mobile PCs and smartphones will represent the top revenue opportunities for high-speed wireless integrated circuit (IC) suppliers by 2018, as these devices are projected to be the highest-volume applications in this market over the next five years, according to a new report from IHS Technology.

Between 2013 and 2018, more than 400 million high-speed wireless ICs are projected to ship cumulatively into the mobile PC market, generating global revenue of $2.5 billion, according to the IHS report.

During the same period, more than 80 million high-speed wireless ICs are projected to ship cumulatively into the smartphone market, with worldwide revenue forecast to exceed $260 million in 2018.

IHS defines a high-speed wireless-enabled device as one that includes at least one of the following technologies: WirelessHD, WHDI, 802.11ad (WiGig) or multi-stream Wi-Fi (802.11n 3x3 higher or 802.11ac 2x2 and higher).