WiQuest Communications
{{Short description|Defunct American WiFi device manufacturer}}
{{Infobox company |
| name = WiQuest Communications, Inc.
| logo =
| type = Private
| industry = Semiconductors
| foundation = {{Start date|2003}} in Allen, Texas
| fate = Bankruptcy (India operations acquired by Staccato Communications)
| defunct = {{End date|2008|10|31}}
| location_city = Allen, Texas
| location_country = United States
| num_employees = 120
| num_employees_year = 2008
| homepage = {{URL |www.wiquest.com}} {{dead link|date=February 2025}}
}}
WiQuest Communications, was an American fabless semiconductor company{{cite web|url=http://www.abiresearch.com/press/1186-WiQuest+Tops+New+Ultra+Wideband+IC+Vendor+Matrix+Ranking|title=WiQuest Named #1 UWB Vendor by ABI Research}} that designed and developed Wireless USB (WUSB) products using WiMedia Alliance technology for high-speed, short-range applications. WiQuest offered integrated circuits, software, and reference designs. WiQuest was headquartered in Allen, Texas, and had operations in Bangalore, India. It operated from 2003 until it went bankrupt in 2008.
History
The company was founded in 2003.
By early 2008, WiQuest's Wireless USB products had an 85% market share.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS147223+07-Jan-2008+BW20080107|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908061652/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS147223+07-Jan-2008+BW20080107|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2012|title=WiQuest Enabling Over 85% of Certified Wireless USB Consumer Products | work=Reuters | date=January 7, 2008}} Among WiQuest's customers were laptop manufacturers Toshiba,{{cite web|url=http://www.wireless-usb.eu/wusb/?p=222|title=WiQuest Showcases UWB Silicon in Leading Consumer Products at CES 2008}} Dell and Lenovo, and peripheral manufacturers D-Link, Belkin, Imation, and Kensington.{{cite web|url=http://www.whyareyouwired.com|title=WiQuest Product Mix}}
=Demise=
The company ceased operations on October 31, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2008/10/31/ultra-wideband-near-death-as-wiquest-shuts-down/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206165852/http://gigaom.com/2008/10/31/ultra-wideband-near-death-as-wiquest-shuts-down/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2008|title=Ultra-wideband Near Death as WiQuest Shuts Down|date=November 2008}} Reasons cited for the demise of WiQuest are the same issues that are plaguing Wireless USB technology in general, such as economic conditions in the late 2000s recession, the relative high cost of the end products, lackluster power-consumption and throughput characteristics of first-generation wireless USB products, regulatory issues, and low adapter attach rates.{{cite web|url=http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211800631|title=Wireless USB startup WiQuest folds}}
The Bangalore operations were acquired by Staccato Communications.{{cite web|url=http://www.wireless-usb.eu/wusb/?p=402|title=Staccato Acquires WiQuest's WUSB Development Center In India}}
References
{{reflist}}
Category:Fabless semiconductor companies
Category:Technology companies established in 2003
Category:Technology companies disestablished in 2008
Category:Defunct semiconductor companies of the United States
Category:Companies based in Allen, Texas
Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States
Category:2003 establishments in Texas
Category:2008 disestablishments in Texas