Qualcomm to finalise network gear vendor by early 2011

The world's largest fab-less chip supplier, Qualcomm, which holds broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum in four telecom circles in India, is in talks with telecom gear makers for setting up networks.

San Diego-based Qualcomm successfully bid for 20 MHz of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum in four circles, Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala for Rs4912 crore.
 
It has initiated talks with all telecom network gear makers, including Alcatel- Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens and Huawei among others for setting up its broadband network in India.

Speaking to reporters today, Kanwalinder Singh, Qualcomm's India and South Asia head said, ''We are in talks with Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens, Huawei, Alcatel and all the other operators as we would like finalise the equipment vendor for BWA by early 2011.''

Qualcomm is also seeking a local mobile service provider to help it roll-out its BWA services and has started negotiating with a few of them, although it has not finalised these talks.

Although Qualcomm is also a leading global wireless telecommunications provider, it lacks the experience as a broadband service provider.

Last month, Qualcomm sold a 26 -per cent stake in its broadband unit in India to New Delhi-based Tulip Telecom, a leading enterprise data connectivity service provider and Global Holdings, holding company of telecom infrastructure subsidiaries, GTL and GTL Infra promoted by Manoj Tirodkar for Rs268 crore. (See: Qualcomm may partner Tulip Telecom, Global Holdings for BWA venture)