MediaTek plans to increase the number of its suppliers of parts and components for its smartphone solution reference designs in order to smooth out its production, according to industry sources.

　　MediaTek's production of smartphone solutions was jeopardized at the end of the first quarter of 2013 due to shortages of some key components such as MCP chips, said the sources.

　　MediaTek is currently operating with over five suppliers each in the LCD driver IC and ambient light/proximity sensor segments and has also strengthened the supply of touch controller ICs through tie-ups with MStar Semiconductor and Goodix Technology, the sources noted.

　　For MCP modules, MediaTek has shifted from the its previous strategy of relying mainly on Samsung Electronics for the supply of the memory chips, and instead has strengthened its cooperation with Kingston Technology and Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology (ECMT), the sources indicated.

　　Given that MediaTeks' shipments of smartphone solutions have reached 20 million units a month, more IC design houses in Taiwan and China are expected to join the MediaTek club, said the sources.