Affordability and Technical Barriers

By Ramesh Akkineni
Mediatek has changed the mobile phone market by launching complete solutions to help white-box handset makers.
VIA Technologies is following a similar path for the white-box netbook market.
Excerpts from the VIA GMB Alliance's Chairman's Letter

The aim of the VIA GMB Alliance is to deliver innovative, affordable and feature-rich mini-notebooks to consumers. "Affordability" is the key to reaching large numbers of consumers and a broader market. By removing the market entry barrier for system developers, more customers and partners can share a piece of the white-box mini-notebook cake.

Compared to consumer and mobile phone devices, the entry barriers to the PC device market are higher, and the integration of different components more complex. In other words, the path taken by the VIA GMB Alliance will be different to that of white-box mobile device manufacturers.

The quality of white-box mobile phone is not the primary concern for consumers; however, quality of white-box mini-notebooks is of upmost importance. If quality and essential functionalities don't meet consumer expectation, it will be difficult for us to expand the market.

Therefore, VIA provides a total platform and service. By connecting the local supply chain and vendors, and by offering a detailed reference design, the technical barriers for partners who wish to enter the market is lowered. The VIA GMB Alliance combines top quality with the most trustworthy partner brands and distributors, to help customers to build unique and quality-assured devices.

Most importantly, we wish to help push more original and unique brands in both China and globally. VIA used to be a design house; now we absorb and learn from top global brands and in turn wish to pass this knowledge and experience on to our partners.

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