Qualcomm's acquires spectrum for new services
18/05/2008 23:19
LONDON (Reuters) - Wireless technology developer Qualcomm
Inc. has acquired radio spectrum known as L-band which will
allow it to launch services such as mobile television, wireless
broadband and satellite radio.
Ofcom said Qualcomm UK Spectrum would pay 8.3 million
pounds and be able to use the licence with immediate effect and
across the whole of the UK.
The spectrum has been released on a technology and service
neutral basis, meaning the user can decide what technology to
use and what services to offer.
Qualcomm said it had acquired 40 MHz of L-band spectrum to
bring a variety of wireless technologies to the UK market in
collaboration with its partners.
"Qualcomm has a long history of innovation and creating new
technology markets," said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice
president of Qualcomm.
"Acquiring this spectrum will enable us to develop, test
and explore a variety of innovative wireless services and
technologies that will benefit European consumers and the
wireless industry as a whole."
Other bidders for the spectrum included Arqiva Limited and
The Joint Radio Company.
(Reporting by Kate Holton, editing by Will Waterman)